• Monday-What'sUP January 4 - 04:48 pm

Today we're getting a lesson in winter shadows from Frederic W. Koski and David Clark, respectively. In today's first shot from Frederic, you don't notice the shadows at first, since there are bright rays of sun and blue skies, but then the dark shapes on the snow jump out at you and seem to roll across the whiteness of the snow.
In contrast, David's photo starts out with you noticing the darkness first. Then you glimpse the brightness of the late afternoon sun still shining on the snow, making it appear whiter in the dim light. It does interesting things to the snowed-in trail stretching on ahead of the camera, too. Thanks Frederic and David for the great studies in winter's beauty here UP North.

Thats some long shadows in the second photo. Makes me want to get Taylor out and try on those nice new snow shoes Santa brought him. Had no time yet.

Happy new year everyone.

Nice scenery!

That second photo was taken in the Houghton High School forest, which is a very lovely place for snowshoeing.

I was hoping to get out snowshoeing a little today, but right now I can't even see across the portage... maybe later!

my favorite shadows are moon shadows from the full moon while skiing, so bright you don't even need a headlamp.

Beautiful photos of the winter shadows Frederic and David!! Ditto to you Jeff on the moon shadows and skiing. We have had five consecutive moon lit nights. Nothing like moon shadows guiding the way via skis or snowshoes.

To all pasty.camers: MAY ALL THE SEASONS OF YOUR LIFE BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY. Best to all in this New Year.

Thanks guys! Fantastic shots! Thanks for sharing.

Lovely photos today. I do like being out in the snow in the moonlight, too. Thanks for sharing!

You Yoopers have a totally different attitude toward winter than we do in Cincinnati. It's 20 degrees and the coworkers are debating whether to walk a block to get lunch. And you guys are snowshoeing and skiing by moonlight.

More great photos from Pasty.com. And Happy Birthday to my wife, Kathy, today.

I have made my life near Cincinnati for the last 13 years now. I still have folks that live in Rock where I was raised. Now 46 and as a disabled Navy vet how I long for those "crisp" moonlit nights of my teen years, driving back from "Esky" without headlights so as to see the deer wandering around the roads and potato fields of St Nicholas. Thank you all for bringing me back to my true home, and the owner of my heart, the ever glorious Upper Peninsula.

Marge:
I guess that is the difference between living life to the fullest and just getting through...

I've been wanting to buy some snowshoes, but then I think to myself, why do I want to go out in that cold and wet snow, trudging through the forest?

But then I remember how that cold feels when you breathe ..the crispness of it, the invigoration. Going through the trees is like a freedom..it awakens your spirit. You see and hear things that were there thousands of years ago... their ancestors.

Its a spiritual thing for sure.

David Soumis...buy those snowshoes and get out and you will never regret it. JUST DO IT

Great words that you have written!!!

Yes, get those snowshoes! They're one of the best investments I've ever made -- you can go almost anywhere, see beautiful sights in the woods, just get away from it all. Do it.

There's been times I've gone out shoveling really early in the morning....(you don't only get the Spiritual while snowshoeing)....at that moment when dark turns to light....and the birds start to wake up, and pretty soon...it's lighter and the trees are SINGING....

That's a Spiritual time too...the quiet to daybreak...breathing while Mother Earth awakens...it's a special time!

Although, I've done that while watching the sun rise over the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula too! Watching Lake Superior receive the sun's rays, the only noise you hear are whatever birds or chipmunks are around, and/or the waves splashing...that'll take your breath away too...

There is no better pleasure than snow shoeing by moonlight, or just walking in the woods late at night by the light of a silvery moon. The cold, crisp air is the best ever! Just dress for it and you'll stay warm as can be.

Marge, I always walk to lunch when I don't bring one in. My boots are right under my desk. Its nice to get outside even in the cold, its the wet cold I hate. 20 is better than 40 in my opinion.

You people are not only connected to your outdoors, you are also poetic about it. I love it!

Brooke, I'll go along with the 20 over 40. When it's 40, there's usually some nasty little water droplets coming out of the sky.

What beautiful photos!! I can just smell the winter air, and feel the peace.