December 14, 2012 - The first day of snow

Western Grebe on Casey Pond

Just a hint of sunlight over Wallula Gap, and the Columbia

Before our light snow started today, there was the faintest hint of sunlight.  If I'd have driven ten miles east, I'd have found myself in sunshine.  Instead, I elected to go to an overlook of the ponds and the Peninsula Unit of the McNary Wildlife Refuge.  The colors were wonderful - muted browns, greens and grays, with a hint of blue sky in the distance.  It felt like winter, and for some curious reason, I found that a happy circumstance.  I am not naturally a cold weather person.  I get chilled easily, and have my mother's tendency to cold feet and hands.  Yet in this spot, winter is most beautiful.  I drove down to Casey Pond, and right at the edge of the pond was the Western grebe pictured above.  It didn't dive, it didn't swim away - it ignored me completely as I changed lenses, then took several photos.  It seemed to me to be a gift - an early Christmas present as I continue on this journey of the beautiful.  May you who read this find within this winter something beautiful that resonates within your soul.