We now enter 2022 and I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. The shortest day is now behind us and I find myself getting excited at the prospect of spring being just around the corner. However, before arriving at the warmer, sunnier weather of spring, there are some severe, freezing temperatures to contend with. This is causing havoc with the photography. I got up at 6am in plenty of time to catch the sunrise. I knew it was raw and frosty outside but hadn’t realised just how cold it was. I had set myself up and thought that I had some half decent photos of the sun coming up, only to realise that in a temperature of -6℃, my lens had started to frost up, thus making my photos a bit blurry!
If I’m honest, I think I prefer the bright but cold winter days rather than the milder, cloudy days. Of course, I am looking at it from a photography perspective and I would imagine that the wildlife would maybe have it the other way. I have felt for the birds, watching them trying to find food in the icy conditions. I normally feed them in the winter anyway but decided to construct a little window sill bird table as an extra facility. I constructed it using wood from an old wardrobe that had been discarded and added a short length of tubular wood which I drilled holes in to house a homemade fat mix. They seem very grateful and use it regularly, especially the Blue tits and Great tits. There is an added bonus for me as well because I now get to see the birds up close from the kitchen without having to go out in the cold!
The early morning walks remain fascinating and I find myself having to stop every so often to admire the ice formations on the bramble leaves and finding it hard to believe that they survive the harsh conditions. Robin sets the perfect winter scene when I see him perched on his log, covered in frosty moss and I can’t help but wonder where he spent the cold night. He seems chirpy enough though and will quite often follow me down the track for a while, I feel quite honoured that he does so. When the sun eventually gets up the temperature rises to 2-3℃ but large, shaded areas remain frosted and never thaw out. This includes my courtyard where I put out water for the wildlife. It has to be changed every day and I now have a nice little pile of icebergs on the ground from the water that has frozen solid overnight.
I am looking forward to spring but I certainly won’t wish winter away. Despite the cold weather, I am still just as keen to get out and explore nature. It still never ceases to amaze me and more importantly, it acts as a great tonic to my mental health. Yes, it can be difficult to get out of the door at this time of year but don’t be put off. If you’re like me, you will feel better for it and glad that you made the effort because nature really is full of surprises.
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