Drifting snow and a sunset

The snowstorm didn't dump as much on us as predicted, but it was still a lot of snow and wind.  It stopped snowing this afternoon, but the wind was strong, with gusts up to 40 miles per hour (65 kilometers per hour).  The sun peaked through the clouds, revealing the blowing snow:

Later, as the sun was about to set it shone over the drifting snow in the field behind the house:

Then the sun approached and dropped below the horizon, illuminating the clouds in various shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple as the light got fainter:

More sunset pictures

The clouds were like a gray blanket yesterday,  but we suddenly got a flash of bright colors as the sun set.

Muted sunset

The sunset yesterday was a nice one, with gauzy, high clouds dimming the sun while scattering the light.

 

Today it was pouring rain.  We've had some pretty cold weather, but very little snow.  Every time precipitation is coming, it warms up enough to make it rain instead of snow.  I should not complain given how some other parts of the USA are getting pounded with snow - we've been lucky so far.  I'm not sure if the perennial garden plants are as lucky - snow is good for them in the winter because it provides insulation when it gets cold.

Moods of the sky ...

One thing I love about where I live is that there is a field behind the house, which is near the top of a hill. There is a great view to the west, which is a contrast to the situation of most houses in this area. Most houses either look onto a patch of woods, or into another house and yard the next street over. Over time, the sky has many different "moods".

Dramatic and contrasting:

Somber and gray, but with a bit of a lighter side:

Bright and cheerful:

A flash of light through the gloom:

Murky and mysterious:

A calm but colorful finale:

Sunset pictures

I was originally planning long and involved post about history, but since it's 12:40 AM and I need to get up in a little more than 6 hours, I'll have to settle for posting a few pictures of a nice sunset this evening. This is the house I grew up in, which I am watching while Dad is visiting my brother and his family in Germany. Growing up, I always liked the view to the west from the backyard, especially in the evening.


OK, so I like sunsets. I promise that the next time I post photographs, they will be of something else.