Tuesday 31 January 2012

La Neige

view from A's study this morning
Right on cue, just as Météo on TF1 predicted, we got snow. It started yesterday afternoon and tailed off during the night. It's not a lot, but enough to make the landscape around us look suitably wintry.

looking towards the end of the barn and woodshed

In the half light early this morning we spied the deer from the bathroom window. Their tracks show that they've come pretty close to the terrace; probably because in places under the trees near the house there is little or no snow at all, which means they can get at the grass.

SE corner of Bruneau's field

The bird feeders are doing a roaring trade and we've had a laugh at Shadow tiptoe-ing along the drive this morning.  Monsieur does not like snow much. Mademoiselle on the other hand seems to love it. She charges along and plays with it in a rather dog-like fashion.

Tinka out taking photos

The last day of January and we've finally got some proper winter weather. In fact the forecast is for pretty cold temperatures all this week with, by the end, possibly even -10C. We might even get a photo of an icicle or two.


Blue tit in a Maple

In the meantime we thought, while the snow is still fresh and pristine, to go out with the camera. Katinka came along to give the benefit of her artistic input.


looking towards the NE

26 comments:

Perpetua said...

Gorgeous photos! What is it about snow that get the camera clicking? I already knew you'd had snow before this post popped up in my reader, as I looked again at your last post earlier and saw your super new header. :-)

ladybird said...

Katinka, although obviously enjoying the snow, looks like she is really cold. You can almost see her shiver. I bet she curled up in front of the fire as soon as she got back inside.
You really live in a very beautiful place; so calm and serene ... Martine

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Perpetua - It's the same with water. I just love taking photos of it. Nearly fell into a fountain in Rome once trying to get the right shot *grin*.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Martine - she does go fluffy when it's cold but seems happy to 'dig' into the snow and race around. Once inside she heads right to the warmest spot: right in front of the woodburner! :-)

Jean said...

What lovely photos. It's strange to think of snow falling in our little corner of France when we have none at home in the UK....mind you there were a few small flakes drifting in the air a few minutes ago...!!

Carolyn said...

The trees and field covered with snow are really lovely. I hope you'll show us photos of the same views when green leaves and grass come back in the spring.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Jean - thanks. It should be the other way round shouldn't it? :-) Your bit of the UK all snowy and this bit of France without. Set to stay very cold all week - it's coming from Siberia; NNE.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Carolyn - Thanks.:-) No doubt the views will feature dressed again. We are building up a series of photos of roughly the same views at different times of the year.

the fly in the web said...

I enjoyed the photographs...and we used to enjoy the first day of snow...going out with the dogs...but i can't say i miss it, overall!

What a super idea to take photographsof the same places through the year.
I did a day by day photograph from our balcony in France...same direction every time... and it was fascinating to check the differing paths of the sun over the months, let alone the greenery coming and going.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Fly - I've been taking fairly regular photos of the view from my study to gain an impression of the changing seasons; but not day by day.

Might try day by day this spring...could be fun.

The Broad said...

Magical! Love that feeling of quiet and peace when the snow first falls -- before there are any footprints -- Yes, time then to grab the camera -- and I try to skirt around the edges so as not to disturb the pristine conditions. In France I have a favourite place to photograph -- it never fails to interest me. I understand that it is or has snowed in our village and it would be lovely to see and then sit all cozy in front of the fire!

GaynorB said...

Fantastic pics, I just love the monochrome effect with little blazes of colour. Hope you have the woodburner on and a warm and cosy house to retreat to after your photographic forays.

wcs said...

Beautiful. I'm preparing to post my snow photos, too. I guess it's what passes for excitement around here! :)

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Broad - exactly what we've been doing. Apart from getting a bit more wood in.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Gaynor - logburner is belting out the heat. Both cats taking prime positions :-).

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Walt - LOL! I guess :-)

Diane said...

I was quite sad we had 11mm of rain last night which washed away all the snow. Never the less, I agree the bird feeders are doing a roaring trade. Even the robin was at the seed feeder this morning. Diane

John Going Gently said...

bloody hell....... cold!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Definitely a day for toasting toes in front of the fire.

SP

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Diane - I adore snow and don't mind dry cold weather but the soggy aftermath of snow is horrible :-(

Niall & Antoinette said...

@John - it still is!!! and looks to stay that way!

Niall & Antoinette said...

@SP - yup! Cats are as near to singeing themsleves as poss!

MorningAJ said...

We're expecting that here pretty soon. It's not my favourite kind of weather!

Thanks for dropping by my blog. You're welcome any time. :)

Cuby said...

The world just looks so beautiful when it turns white, the trees look so mystical.Lovely.

Niall & Antoinette said...

@AJ - thanks I will :-)

Niall & Antoinette said...

@Cuby - it has all been blown off the trees now but we're keeping the low temps. -7C this morning and with windchill that equals -18C. Brrrr!