The past month has been a blur of activity. Or, I suppose, given the subject of these photos, a “flurry of activity” would be a better fit. Deadlines. Holidays. Deadlines. Festivities. Deadlines. And lots and lots of baking. It’s hard to know even where to start. Happily, this week’s friday foto finder theme of beginning gave me a thought of where to dig in.
These first 3 photos are all crops of one photo that I took at the very beginning of a snowstorm we had a couple of weeks ago. I was out with Phoebe at a concert a friend of hers was performing in, and the first flakes of a big predicted storm started to fall as we watched the show. When we left, the snow had just started to collect here and there. We admired the flakes that had gathered on the ledge of the car window, and naturally I grabbed my phone to take a photo.
The conditions were just right such that the big, fluffy flakes maintained their crystalline form, even after landing. Sadly, I hadn’t remembered to bring my real camera. (Not that I would have had much time, as we were in somewhat of a hurry to get home.)
I keep hoping to see more snowflakes like these, but the snow we have had since hasn’t measured up. Our current snow, for example was so cold that the flakes that landed appeared to be just tiny shards of shattered flakes, with no evidence of intricate symmetry. Other snow has fallen wet and mixed with rain.
The beginnings of yesterday’s snow were much less dramatic to see. These tiny flaky bits were seen on our porch rail. I took this photo with a lens extender, but even the macro shot didn’t reveal any six-sided wonders.
To see what other beginnings are to be seen, drift over to the fff blog.
collecting tokens 
Happy return to blogging — and happy 2014 to you! :)
Thanks, YTSL! And happy 2014 to you, as well!
What magnificent macros! The detail is wonderful – I have been thinking of getting a lens extender. How easy to use is it?
Thanks, Archie! Actually, those 6-sided snowflake shots weren’t really macro, just with my regular iPhone lens. The flakes were particularly large and well-articulated!
As for the extender, it’s a bit of an adventure. I think the ease of use depends on how comfortable you are with using various manual settings on your camera. Also, the depth of field is so narrow, that it is hard to keep the focus where you want it. I’m sure that a tripod would help, but I’ve found that taking shots in rapid succession (since my camera has such a feature) helps compensate for my slight swaying. (If I take 12 shots or so, chances are that one will be more-or-less what I was aiming for!)
I always marvel at those macro snowflake shots. Recently heard about an iPhone “olloclip” so may look into that.
My beginning is hopeful…
http://azahar.me/2014/01/03/hope-2015/
My blogging friend and Instagram doppelgänger, Annette, has an Olloclip, and seems to love it. Here are some of the marvelous shots she’s taken with it: http://catnipandcoffee.com/2013/08/27/macro/
I love your hopeful beginning, az.
Ooh. Pretty.
Thanks, Sarah!
Wow. Those beautiful snowflakes are the only aspect of snow that I like. (That’s not 100% true. Sledding is fun too, and newly fallen snow looks nice in non-urban environments, or before it gets all dirty. But the pretty snowflakes are definitely the best part, when they happen.)
Glad you have at least some fond memories of snow, Sally! Out where I live, the snow mostly stays a fresh white until it melts away, but I know what you mean about dirty snow. In Boston, the snow certainly doesn’t stay white for long.
Hopefully we’ll get in a bit of sledding soon! We haven’t yet this year, but the kids have an invitation from some friends for today for sledding over at their place.
I am not a fan of the snow…but these pictures are awesome!
Wow, how magical!!