Frozen Beauty

Evergreens weighted down with the sparkle of ice and snow at Greenfield Park after the latest blizzard.

---

The pavilion and lagoon, frozen and covered in snow.

I've been visiting Greenfield Park a lot lately. It's one of my favorite Milwaukee County Parks, and it's nearby. So, I can be there within just a few minutes. In every type of weather it welcomes me. And I know its nooks and crannies, walking paths, lagoon-side and woodland, well. 

As predicted, we did get that big winter storm late this last week. It packed in a lot of heavy snow over a couple days, and finished up by leaving in its wake subzero temperatures, and trees encased in sparkling snow and ice.  Standing outside for a moment you could hear the sound of the ice crackling on the tree limbs.

---

---

After all that exhaustive shoveling, and freezing, blustery wind, the winter sun came out on Sunday, strong and bright. Though below zero, the warmth of the winter sun felt good on windblown cheeks.

​One of our resident squirrels, one of the tiniest ones, enjoyed part of the afternoon sunbathing on our windowsill. He would hop down to graze on the nuts we put out, then come back up to the sill to enjoy the sunbeams and finish eating.  I checked on him now and then, tempted to invite him inside. Eventually, he retired to the shelter of his nest as the sun began to set.

The tiniest squirrel enjoying the apricity of the day on our windowsill.

---

The trees, covered in ice and snow, were like a fairytale.

Although it was unbelievably cold, I was anxious to get out and see some of what the storm had brought. I grabbed my camera, bundled up, picked up a hot coffee, then drove over to Greenfield Park. Underneath the sunlit sky, all the trees were blanketed with snow, and twinkling magically.

​Even if you're not a big fan of winter, you couldn't deny the frozen beauty. In every direction, something spectacular. Our local park turned into something resembling a fairytale. No need to journey far from home. The magic came to us.

---

Greenfield Park encased in a bit of seasonal magic.

---

I parked in one of the parking lots and got in and out of my car. Braving the cold for a few minutes, and photos, at a time. Focusing on one direction or another.

​Then I drove along the road by the lagoon, pulled over, and inched my way from one end of the park to the other, again, stepping in and out of the warmth, taking photos, my eyes watering from the wintry wind.  It was bitterly cold, but stunning.

All this natural beauty right here, in the city.

---

The woodland entrance at Greenfield Park defined frozen beauty.

---

---

As the winter season progresses, bundle up and visit your favorite local park, or walking trail and wonder at the breathtaking scene before you. If walking on ice and snow isn't for you, just take a drive, and enjoy the view from your car.  Eventually, the weather will turn, and the ice and snow will melt. And that bit of magic will be gone. But worry none, as something just as lovely will come after.