Snow Rowan

Today saw the return of the snow, with four hours in the morning adding another couple of inches to what was left from the last fall ten days or so ago. This was not great timing, as we were supposed to be heading over the Pennines for a family gathering.

The snow was accompanied by fog, which on the moors leads to quite a dramatic mood, and a landscape of white skies to match that of the ground.

As other people have noted, it was a day suited to monochrome, and although I've retained a colour image, it was the stark effect of black on white that I was after.

The edge of Baildon Moor is dotted with saplings, returning since foot and mouth saw off the sheep. There are signs of this forest-in-waiting all over the moor, and the character of the landscape will change quite significantly over the next ten to fifteen years, if the trees are left in peace.

This rowan sapling, heavy with berries only a few weeks ago, is one of many skeletons awaiting the return of spring.

thin rowan sapling ~ a skeletal silhouette ~ fog and snow are merged