blue & white

Blue sky has returned after yesterday's blizzard delivered a coat of snow to the ground.

cloud play

With a blizzard warning posted for tomorrow, a coastal walk in today's dry air seemed like a good idea. The sky changed from gray to more interesting layers of clouds as I walked on Plum Island.

winter colors

It's winter.

Trees and bushes show bare branches. The ground cover has faded to shades of brown and rust. The ground is almost free of snow for now; the landscape is wearing winter colors.

magic

The play of light in the afternoon sky was pure magic.

I was looking to the south and east from the ponds at parking lot 4 in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge when I saw these wonderful clouds.

looking inland

I walked the Hellcat Loop at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon, taking advantage of unseasonably warm temperatures.

At the end of the loop I enjoyed views of a frozen pool and of Plum Island Sound.

early camellia

A chilly section of the greenhouses at Lyman Estate is the home to many camellias.

While it's about a month early for the winter bloom I was happy to see a beautiful white camellia in full bloom when I visited on Saturday.

seeking flowers

I felt a need for color and flowers today. Although there weren't many flowers in bloom, a visit to the greenhouses of the Lyman Estate helped.

follow the boardwalk

The boardwalk from parking lot 3 at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge curves as it approaches the entry to the beach.

smooth sand

The tide was flowing out as I walked the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon.

The water-swept sand was smooth. With only a few people walking, the sand wore just a few footprints.

holding a rose

A hand holding a rose is painted on a wall in Lawrence, MA.

The mural brings color to old mill buildings.

afternoon light

The low angle of afternoon light highlights the remaining snow on the beach, the blue of the sky and the ocean.

low tide

It was close to low tide as I walked on the northern tip of Plum Island this afternoon, moving from the mouth of the Merrimack River to an ocean-facing beach.

tidal river

The tide was flowing out when I started walking next to the Merrimack River in Newburyport early this afternoon. A first view of the river left me feeling dizzy as my eyes followed the ice twirling and flowing along the surface of the river.

Sections of ice filled the shoreline. Further out in the river there was clear water decorated by reflections of the sky and by the movement of floating ice.

a snow woman

I was going to title this "a snowman" but I question whether a man would wear beads and a heart pin.

This snow person was perched on the side of the road as I returned home from my pilates class this morning. I know she must have been there when I headed to class but she didn't jump out at me until I was heading home.

I had to stop to honor her request to take her photo.

frozen

Ponds in Harold Parker State Forest are frozen.

While there was snow melt from yesterday's warmth, a light blanket of snow and ice remains on the trails.

dunes & trees

Looking inland from the beach there are a line of evergreens standing above the dunes at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.

And yes, this photo was taken the day before yesterday's snow!

a snowy day

Snow was falling steadily as I headed out for a walk this morning.

I am lucky to live next to a small college campus. Even with the students gone on winter break the roads are cleared quickly; that gives me a reasonable place to walk in the snow.

on the beach

With a winter storm predicted for tomorrow I knew I needed a good outdoor wander today.

I headed to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this morning as the tide was coming in. While I prefer walking the beach when the tide is going out, two hours into an inbound tide worked for me today. I just needed to keep an eye on the ocean; it was much too cold for wet feet!

I crossed paths with several other people but for the most part I had the beach to myself.

My walk was accompanied by the music of the waves.

water & ice

Ponds in Harold Parker State Forest are wearing a skim coat of ice in some areas and water in others.

It was a cold morning for a walk.

red

Red berries brighten the landscape on a gray winter's day.