In the early morning light, seemingly white glowing forms consult with one another on the front lawn. Are they extra-terrestrial beings, come to gather information about life here around Flandrum Hill? Or are they displaced apparitions, caught between dimensions due to an anomaly in the space-time continuum?
Upon closer inspection, their true nature is revealed. Who would have thought the remains of snow could have appeared so other-worldly?
While most of the snow from last week’s snowstorm has melted, the remnants of a large snow tower built on the front lawn have survived. Warm temperatures weren’t enough to melt such a large heap of snow, especially one placed in the shadow of the house for most of the day. Up close, the snow reveals debris acquired both from the lawn when large snowballs were rolled to create it, and from a windstorm days later.
Haunting silhouettes formed in the negative spaces make these ruins more interesting in their decaying form than they ever were as a tower of snow.
Once the sun rises on Sunday, the ruins will be covered with a fresh layer of snow along with the rest of the lawn. They’ll no longer stand out in the landscape. One of snow’s most magical qualities is that it is so ephemeral. Except of course when you’re shoveling it!
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2013
We have just survived a few inches ourselves here in the UK!! Great trauma of course as usual.
But what did amaze was how quickly the whole snowscene melted away. It only took a few degrees to do it. As you say, one of snow’s most magical qualities is that is is so ephemeral.
Corinne, who would think such delicate snowflakes could cause such traumatic events? I guess it just goes to show the power of solidarity!
Recent winters here in Nova Scotia seem to be a sequence of storms and meltdowns. Pretty erratic behavior for such an otherwise stable and peaceful country.
Snow ruins – what a lovely turn of a phrase.
Glad you like it Dawn. They do look like white sun-bleached ruins – at least they did. It’s been snowing hard all day so it’s getting more difficult to see them with every passing hour.
I love that phrase, snow ruins, as it describes so eloquently what you captured in the picture!
Ruth, these ruins looked aged, but not as nasty as the ones we often see as remnants of snow banks on the edges of roads, covered in gravel and dirt. Ruins seem to have an ancient beauty to them, even when they’re just basically a pile of rubble.
Oh, this is lovely! What beauty in the melting.
Thanks Alice. Well said :)
Lovely snow ruins. Beauty is everywhere, in every thing under nature. Someone must have said that.
Kathy, it is everywhere. Though ‘someone’ must have indeed said that, it deserves to be said again :)
HI thought they look like “high-fiving” aliens !
Of course you would Sybil :)
Thanks for linking to my bird blog (from your Here and There category). Just so happens I get the top spot, lucky me.
Melting snow, love it…can’t wait for some of that around here…!
You’re welcome Judy.
Still waiting for melting snow here too. This afternoon’s milder temperature looks promising.
How ethereal, the ruins of a snow tower. Love the melting moments you captured and the words you used to describe them. The last picture is a very unique perspective…
Barbara, we’ve had some melting temperatures here and there, but also more snow. The ruins are fading slowly and quietly, as is the way of ruins.
I thought this might be a trio of snowy egrets, flying away from the coast to try and live up to their given names!
I’ve never seen falling snow – once or twice i’ve sloshed through the frozen dunes; but never felt soft, fresh snow. Is it marvelous?
Aubrey, egrets in the front yard would be an awesome sight. I did see an egret once in Cow Bay near the mouth of the Cow Bay River.
Falling snow is very beautiful. It’s soft and peaceful, even then it heavy with moisture and falling quickly. Snow that’s sparkling as it’s falling in the sunlight, moonlight or simply under a street light is quite marvelous, like diamonds falling from a snow queen’s hair.
Perhaps we, too, are “more interesting in decay.” I hope so – I am definitely decaying and it would be nice to think there could be compensations.
An unsettling winter.
I hope so too Gerry – because we’re a long time in that state ;)
It’s been an unsettling winter here too. Unfortunately, we’ve become accustomed to the very mild winters in recent memory.
Since you haven’t posted in a coon’s age, just wondering. Do you still have snow at Flandrum Hill?
A coon’s age Kathy? Even one in the wild lives at least 2 to 3 years!
Yes, we still have snow. We’re looking forward to some melting temperatures this afternoon, but it likely won’t be enough to get rid of all the snow in my yard.
What peculiar snow-forms, they look so out-of-place in the middle of your garden. I hope that by now the snow will have melted and that all the little flowers will have popped their heads out of the ground to peer up at the sun, and bask in its warm rays.
Reggie, the snow is now a distant memory. Spring is urging on towards summer at a rapid pace.
Woohoo!! :-)
Wishing you a Happy Easter, hoping that snow has melt down and that Spring is the renewal we all long for. Take care.
Isa, Spring never disappoints with its many offerings of renewed hope. Spring seems to take forever to get here and then accelerates so quickly towards summer. Thanks for your Easter wishes :) Happily it was mild and dry enough for an outdoor Easter egg hunt.
Snow ruins, is correct title.
Glad you liked it Sartenada :)