In 2023 I penned an essay, Summer Kind Of Sucks, in which I expressed my strong distaste for hot weather. My feelings about the overheated season turned around meaningfully in 2024, however, due to the concerted effort I made to change my mindset. I’m still impressed I was able to accomplish the partial transformation, which found me embracing summer with a fairly warm hug and with an unforced smile on my heavily wrinkled face. I’m hoping to do the same when the temperatures skyrocket later this year. It’s very possible I shall.
But what about the other problematic season? Namely, winter. Here, in southeast Pennsylvania, USA, we’re moving toward the end of what has been, overall, a quite frigid winter, one peppered with numerous but small snowfalls. Have I enjoyed this season at all? Barely, because the days when I loved to frolic in the cold air and snow ended decades ago. Ever since then, I’ve gritted my teeth and slogged through each winter as best I could, staying indoors as much as possible. I’m hardly alone in this. I’m pretty sure that winter enthusiasts make up only a smallish part of the adult population.
And yet, good winter moments can emerge. As they did nine days ago when I ventured outside to take a look at the state of affairs in my suburban neighborhood. Unlike the conditions during previous walks I’d taken there this year, the temperature (45° F/7° C) was totally tolerable. Bundled up as I was, I didn’t get chilled at all.
I had something specific in mind for the hike. And that something was to spend time admiring leafless trees, which tend to be extremely underappreciated. I wanted to photograph them too, planning to aim my phone’s camera carefully in order to avoid having any houses or cars or other distractions enter the scenes.
Off I went at 2:00 PM. Though the onset of budding was visible, nearly all of the deciduous trees I encountered were bare basically, and they stunned me. They looked primeval, and would have appeared even more so in that respect had their backdrop been a grey sky rather than the afternoon’s gorgeous blue one. Their trunks and branches were things of beauty, the former as resolute as prizefighters, many of the latter delicate and poised to dance. And the no-nonsense, medium-to-dark hues of the trees made me concentrate on shapes, patterns, angles and intersections much more than I would have if the trees had been in leaf. What can you say? Mother Nature, as everyone knows, is the artist supreme. No large-scale, man-made sculptures surpass the big, bare fellas I tipped my hat to during the walk.
Now, none of this is to imply I might once again become a fan of winter. Cold weather activities, other than walks, don’t interest me. At my advanced age, I’d undoubtedly break a bone or two, or worse, were I to attempt to perform any winter sports. And, seeing that over the last few years I’ve become more sensitive to the cold than before, I’m averse to spending more than 30 consecutive minutes outdoors in winter anyway, unless the thermometer is nicely above 32° F/0° C. In other words, yours truly does not relish freezing his ass off.
Nonetheless, I’ll enjoy venturing outside occasionally for brief periods in future winters, to take in the wonders of Mother Nature. Assuming I remain above ground, of course. Fingers crossed about that. As for now, I’m looking forward to spring’s arrival. Which, I’m mighty pleased to say, will be soon.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
I too have no great pleasure in cold winters but I love your photographs.
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Hi Yvonne, and thanks very much.
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I used to take great pleasure in an invigorating winter walk, but less so these days! Though there is always something interesting to see.
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Hi. What you say is very true. Mother Nature never disappoints
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I don’t like winter at all. Although it’s been pretty mild here in the Pacific Northwest. I so look forward to summer and going to the ocean and digging my toes in the sand, and long days sitting on the deck watching the sun go down. Love your pictures, Neil. I bet you’ll have some cool summer ones.
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“Sitting on the deck, watching the sun go down” sounds very great to me!
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Change is good, so seasons are good. If only the earth would revolve a little faster around the sun, we’d have shorter seasons, making the extremes much more tolerable. Whom do we approach with this proposal?
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Let’s take it up with Modi and Trump!
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I guess either extreme is kinda unbearable. Here’s to warm weather! Ciao, Cristina
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I second that! Hi, and thanks for stopping by. Take care.
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🤢 Rather not talk to either of them!
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I’m not always keen on winter walks either, as I’m not a fan of icy sidewalks. Bare trees against a beautiful blue sky like that, though? Lovely captures, my friend. xxxxx
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The trees wanted me to photograph them!
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It’s the blue skies, I think, Neil. As a backdrop for those barren branches, their perfect for showing off the shape and lines of the trees. It seems like a wonderful winter walk and spring is on its way, thank goodness. My mood is needly of sunshine.
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Tomorrow, in my area, is predicted to be sunny and warm. I’ll head into Philadelphia and, with a friend, spend a few hours exploring the city on foot. Looking forward to it.
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Sounds wonderful, Neil. Relax and take lots of photos!
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Did I ever enjoy winter and its freezing characteristics? NO, but did it bother me as much as it did now? Probably not. I went to college in PA (Lycoming) and one year I think we had 300 days of clouds/rain/snow. Truly. I worked in the mailroom for extra money and had to trudge across campus (during very cold winters and very snowy paths) to deliver mail to academic buildings. I don’t remember complaining about it. Weird. Now, I try to not whisper to myself daily how much I hate the cold (and yes, in NE it’s been more bitterly cold than other years). I try to enjoy each day (inside, where I place bouquets of flowers to cheer me up). I can’t wait for spring!
Oh, and your tree photos are gorgeous. I look out my writing window at bare branches and birds hovering, balancing on them with fluffed out feathers. The tree and the birds seem good company for each other.
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Hi. Yeah, I think that young(er) people don’t let weather conditions bother them too much. Their bodies aren’t affected by high heat and freezing cold as much as the bodies of older folks are. Anyway, spring is nearing. I went into Philadelphia today for a long walk around the city. It was very comfortable, temperature-wise. Thanks for adding your thoughts. See ya!
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Philly is a great walking city. Much better than when I lived nearby. I applaud you. I’m not quite ready to do our regular Boston Walk yet. The chill from the Charles River is still a bit much for my (not-so-young) body. 🙂
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The trees really are beautiful. Great pictures!
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Hi Lori, and thanks. I appreciate it.
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For me, winter is a time to slow down and take stock of what the next growing season should be (for me personally, not for my flowers), Neil. I do love snow, but not the grey grey grey…
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I tip my hat to you, because personal growth is important to you. Hi Pam. Have a real good rest of the week.
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That’s such a nice thing to say. Thank you, Neil. 🙏 Back at you. It’s probably true for many of us here on WP. Thank God for that, right? 😘
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I, myself, over the years have become disconcerted about my personal, biological weather patterns. At first, I loved Summer, then Winter, then Spring, then Autumn. Recently I have come to understand that each season will give us its most lavish comforts, if only we would release more loving, conscious energy into its flirts. ☔️🌂
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I really like the way you describe things. It’s unique!
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🫶🤗🫠
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I get you! But at least you had sun, as I can see from the pics. It makes all the difference. I love to see the leafless trees, too. They’re very cool to look at. But I don’t need to see, like, four months of it. That’s my beef with winter. I like the snow, actually, and don’t mind being out in it. The part I don’t like are the parts of winter that are cold, but don’t have snow.
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Your approach to winter is a sensible one!
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As you say, “Mother Nature …is the artist supreme. No large-scale, man-made sculptures surpass the big, bare fellas I tipped my hat to during the walk.” As much as I enjoy the trees in autumn in all their colorful glory, I’ve always loved the majesty of their “bare bones.” This is the first winter I have missed many days of walking. I usually suit up and full speed ahead in the cold, but this year’s frequent icy winds of 20-23 mph AND several weeks of ice-covered sidewalks deterred me. Finally, the days are getting sunnier and warmer, so I’ve walked and walked this past week, admiring the mighty oak, and the splendid elm, and the elegant maple in all their naked beauty. What a shame that so many forests the world over are burned for profit and others burn because we’ve mangled the environment so badly–California being but the latest example of disastrous for-greed policies. Thanks for the post, Neil!
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Trees are the greatest. A big apple tree was right outside my bedroom window of the house I grew up in on Long Island. That tree produced apples prodigiously. My mother made delicious applesauce from them, and used them in baking too. Have a good weekend, Amy. Take care.
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Great shots. The white streaks in the sky and the clouds make for a nice contrast. I’m glad you appreciate leafless trees. I don’t tend to, so I’m glad you do. Nice that you got out and had a good warm time despite it being winter. Nature can be so emotionally restorative.
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Evening. I’m psyched for flowering trees to come into bloom. It should start happening within the next two or three weeks in my region, I think. Trees are the coolest!
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I agree! I also love trees! 🙂
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Hey Neil, Interesting post about the weather and how we all feel the cold as we age. Even me living in tropical Australia. Or sub-tropical at least. It is lucky it is the end of summer as the warmth here in summer can make me quite cranky. Something happened as I aged and heat bothers me far more than the cold. I try to visit wintry climates as much as I can – I can’t get enough of them. Usually you can get a little bit warmer in cold climates just by jumping around??? Please correct me if I am wrong. On the other hand if you are in a hot country, you cannot do anything to cool down unless there is water or aircon nearby….
Anyway, I loved your photographs of the trees, and imagined wintry weather in my mind. There is a raw beauty in the bones of a deciduous tree during winter.
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Hi there, and thanks a lot for adding your thoughts. It’s warming up in my part of the globe. Spring will be here pretty soon. There’s very little chance it might snow again this winter, which is fine with me. By the way, I’ don’t know who this is. You’re listed as Anonymous.
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In my younger days I loved winter. Now that I’m older I love it sitting in my chair looking out the window at it! 🤣
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Ditto!
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The adult population in Colorado does appreciate winter! For many it is a favorite season. We have a lot of downhill or cross-country skiers, and other winter sports … like ice climbing for instance! That shouldn’t be a surprise since it snows all the time and we have a very long winter. As a matter of fact, it is snowing right now! I have often said, if you don’t like winter, you shouldn’t live in Colorado. Born in Buffalo, I even like to shovel!
Winter is my second favorite season for photography. It’s often more difficult getting out and about in the snow, but it can be so rewarding. I too love the bare trees and being able to see their architecture. Snow provides a lot of contrast, with the ability to either accent or conceal certain parts of a subject.
Fabulous, fun to read post Neil!
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Hi Denise. Philly and the surrounding areas used to get lots and lots of snow in winter. You probably experienced that when you went to college in Philly. But we definitely get less snow now. Maybe that will change in the future. This winter, though, my town got a grand total of maybe 18 inches of snow, and that was spread out over 9 or 10 snowfalls. Take care, and have a great upcoming week.
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I love this tribute to winter; it’s not a season that’s eulogized often; the sections admiring the bare branches and trunks are wonderful. some of the best writing you’ve done —
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Thanks a lot, John. I appreciate it.
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keep up the good work, Neil; your editor should be pleased with this one 🙂
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The bright blue skies in the photos you posted here look like the kind of day it is here today! I hope to bundle up and get out. I did get outside to look at my sad planters yesterday – Winter did a number on them. I am not a fan of cold weather either and look forward to warmer days soon 🙂
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Here comes the Sun — ☀️
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I like Mother Nature changing things up but I do like the hot warm stuff. If we live in a winter climate (Canada) you better learn to get used to it or fly south. Toques, long johns (trapdoors), hot rums,parkas, mukluks, ice fishing, curling, hockey etc were some of the first words I learned
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Ah, curling —- the greatest sport ever! (yeah, right)
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Enjoyed your lovely photos and write-up.
I’ve always been averse to the cold, especially extreme cold, but living in sub-tropical climes, we don’t see much seasonal change. This is what I love about visiting countries that experience a ‘real’ winter and seasons. I love the gnarly trees devoid of leaves, creating another canvas entirely.
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“I love the gnarly trees devoid of leaves, creating another canvas entirely.” — beautifully said!
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Thank you 🙂
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I love the topic of your photography – sometimes the shapes of trees and their reaching look so interesting. I don’t have many deciduous trees where I live, mostly evergreen forest, but I do enjoy that part of winter scenery.
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Evergreen forests are beautiful any time of year, and maybe especially when they are dusted with snow.
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True!
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