It never really got that much better throughout my walk round, below is a view of a ditch by the entrance gate some time later as I made my back.
That is a pretty bleak view of how the reserve has looked and felt this last few days. Heavy grey cloud, a bitter cold N.E. wind and spits and spots of light rain or drizzle - for a warm weather lover and SAD sufferer as I am, it ain't been much fun. February in my book, shares with November as being one of the worst two months of the year, especially when it teases us with the odd warm, sunny and almost Springlike day, before dumping us back into winter.
Fortunately, nature doesn't get depressed like some of us do at such conditions, behind that bleak facade it can sense Spring is close by. Snowdrops and Aconites are in full bloom, hazel catkins hang from their bushes and the Rooks are already repairing their nests. All it will take to cheer us up is one or two warm and sunny days, a bumblebee, a butterfly - I do wish it would hurry up.
In Berlin we have sometimes a stretch of heavy leaden lighted days (with a hint of yellow in it), but then, when a few days later the sun comes out: happiness. Noticed the first snowdrops (still form of a lancet) and thickening of the buds of the trees, though merely noticeable. When the sun shines, birds jubilee that spring comes - and fall into depressed silence when - as now - temperature turns back to minus 6 degree in daylight.
ReplyDeleteYour photos look almost monochrome - I do like the second one, it has atmosphere.
Vienna can be a gloomy and cold city for days or weeks at this time of year. Bit like your photos. The streets are often covered in grit. The air quality is not always the best. So the media don't mention it, except for poor Graz which makes you feel a little bit lucky, until the end of January by which time it's too late for some. The weather forecasters make us doubly depressed with their talk about temperature inversions and how the wonderful sun is so often shining in the clear blue sky in the mountains. But there is hope. The squirrels are red as foxes and the ducks in the park are puffing out their chests and seeing to their brightening feathers.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Gwil, beneath the gloom and depression, Spring is not that far away.
DeleteThe animals feel the Spring before we do since they live outdoors 24/7. They'll flag it up for us.
DeleteHello Brigitta, so nice to hear from you and you've made me look at the second photo in a different and more positive way, thank you.
ReplyDeleteTwo very miserable photos Derek. I hope you will replicate those two shots on a bright spring/early summer's day so that we can see the difference. You are so right - February can be such a grim month - but at least you are not stuck at home watching drivel on the TV.
ReplyDeleteI will be very pleased to do as you request as soon as the sun and warmth return YP.
DeleteDerek, I will join the chorus of those who find this month a tough one. I often get the "Februaries." It's the short month that often seems very long.
ReplyDeleteWe had some drama yesterday when just under 10 inches of snow arrived, along with fierce winds that howled all night, long after the snow had stopped. Snow clearing takes place quickly here in Manhattan (though not always so in the outer NYC boroughs) and this morning when I look out my front window, there's very little evidence of yesterday's decorations. Oh, but it is so cold! I'm glad to have made lots of curry yesterday evening.
Best wishes.
Gawd, that sounds awful Frances, at least we haven't had that here, especially the howling winds.
DeleteI got up early today and made a chicken casserole in the slow cooker, that with some crusty rolls, will keep me warm for a few days.
I was out and about at first light this morning for a run through the jungle. As I got back toward home the sky turned an ominous dark grey, the wind whipped the waves into a frenzy of crashing over the dock and we had 90 minutes of intense storm. Now at mid-morning, a few tiny bits of blue are showing through the clouds, but the waves are still pounding. I think more squalls are on the horizon. Glad I made my boat trip for the weekly shopping yesterday while the sea was calmer and the sun was shining. It was a very enjoyable 3 hour trip. What a change in less than 24 hours! Hope you see blue skies soon, Derek.
ReplyDeleteBlimey Wilma, seems like we're all suffering, bet it wasn't a chill factor of -4 though. Have you seen the Weaver's bad news.
DeleteYes, I did see Weaver's news after a heads up from John Gray. It did seem that she had relayed several unusual falls that he had sustained in recent weeks - perhaps his balance is affected. I do hope it is something that can he can be helped with. She is one of my favorite bloggers; I take much comfort from her blog and I do hope that she finds some comfort for herself, whatever the future may bring.
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