A Rewarding Outing

Sculptural Queen Anne's Lace

It was a magical landscape on the Greenway Trail this morning, after yesterday's rainy-icy weather enclosed branches, leaves, and seedheads in a thick casing of glittering ice. You could almost hear each individual blade of grass crunch underfoot, and a slight breeze set off a gentle tinkling sound high overhead. Otherwise, silence.





  


Every step, every glance revealed a new Greenway, far different from the plain, dry brownness that has prevailed since the fall. Tiny seedheads magnified like specimens enclosed in glass, inviting inspection with new eyes.

Common Queen Anne's Lace transformed into artistic sculptures, art both modern and ancient. Delicate panicles of switchgrass transformed into heavy, shining pearls strung on airy stems.

These occasional days of excessive beauty are a pleasant reward for some of the anxieties of winter weather.

Oak leaves, with lingering frozen drops.

Whimsical curves and spirals

Tall Coreopsis

Queen Anne's Lace

Switchgrass, clad in pearly orbs of ice.

Glittering branches in the morning sun.