When we are in mid-winter it is all too tempting to stay indoors warm and
cosy and away from the wintery weather. Often that is a really lovely thing
to do. However, I find if I stay indoors for too long I start to feel a bit down
and a bit sluggish especially in the winter. We suffer from the lack of
daylight hours and the same scenery. Also, we may well miss out on some
beautiful scenes in nature
So as long as the weather is not too bad or dangerous conditions, my
husband and I agreed that every day we will go for a winter
walk. We like to wrap up warmly take our camera and go out to find the beauty in
this season.
We find it very uplifting to become absorbed in nature in this way even if
only for half an hour. It lifts our spirits and clears the mind. I always
feel better after a winter walk. A few hours is ideal and when we can do
that and drive deep into the countryside it is so beneficial. However, when
it is too cold to stay out that long we just take a short walk and even if
it has only been for fifteen to thirty minutes I really notice a
difference.
Winter Trees
I love to see the beauty in the trees this time of year. All the leaves
have fallen now and all we can see is the structure and majesty of their
gorgeous limbs and trunks. My favourite tree this time of year is the Silver Birch which once it has
lost all its leaves and stands proud with its silver trunk takes on a
magical quality especially if covered in frost or snow.
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Silver Birch Trees In Winter
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Noticing Nature and Colour In Winter
I find at mid-winter when we are not distracted by gorgeous colourful
flowers and trees in full leaf we notice other natural things that we
overlooked before. Like an old fallen log that is covered in fungi and the
shape of a tree. The spider webs are clearly visible now all covered in
sparkling frost.
Winter is not devoid of colour though. we may need to look harder for it
but it is there. Of course, there are the Holly berries shining out bright red against the
dark green of their evergreen leaves. Cotoneaster is covered in red berries
and looks especially lovely with a light dusting of frost. Equally one of the more beautiful things to look for are wild rose hips, so red and
shiny and in abundance. The one below was a gorgeous wild rose covered in
flowers in summer, now a thicket of red rose hips.
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| Rose Hips |
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Cotoneaster berries
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Christmas Lights On Winter Walks
Around Christmas time we find it lovely to take a walk at dusk so that we
can wander around our neighbourhood to look at all the beautiful lights and
decorations.
It is a real joy to see all the sparking lights and different colours at
the time of year when daylight is in short supply.
Then when we get home is a large mug of hot chocolate and maybe a warm
mince pie to warm up.
Frosted Plants In Winter
In the winter I like that you do not need to travel far to view gorgeous
plants. Often if the roads are icy or poor traveling conditions or just very cold
and threatening rain or snow we prefer to walk locally.
By walking around your own neighbourhood you can see lovely beauty in
people's gardens like this frosted Smoke bush. It normally has reddish
frothy seedheads that look like smoke but as you can see the freezing
temperatures have transformed it into an ice spectacle!
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| Frozen Smoke Bush |
Also, watch the bare branches of any shrub in your garden or the road you
live on, you will start to see tiny buds. They are ready just waiting,
resting steady for now but ready to burst forth into leaf once the weather
warms and the days become longer.
Winter Sky Can Be Stunning
My other recommendation in winter is to look up at the skies. They can be
spectacular at this time of year in daylight hours on a clear day taking
your breath away with their sheer beauty. At night if it is clear and dark
there is something amazing about gazing up at the bright stars and feeling
like you can reach out and touch them.
Feeding Ducks On A Winter Walk Brings Joy
I love to get out and feed the ducks, geese and coots at a local wildlife
center. They are invariably hungry at this time of year and it is often
quiet and calm with few people around. Unlike in summer we often have lots
of space to ourselves and it is a joy to feed the birds and get close to
them.
Winter Solstice
The winter solstice on or around the 21st December is one of my favourite
days. It is the day with the shortest hours of daylight but it also means
that from now on each day is getting a little lighter, a little nearer
Spring and that gives me such a feeling of hope and happiness in
mid-winter. We always light a candle and feel thanks for the new life to
come.
So if winter is getting you down with its short hours of daylight and poor
weather and it seems still a long time until spring do weather permitting,
try to get out there for just a little while. The fresh clean air and
exercise will do us good, lift our spirits and with the added benefit if it
is sunny of the sunshine on our faces to brighten up the darkest days of
year.
Wellbeing And Nature In Winter
We need to be safe and clearly not to go out in severe weather but if and
when conditions allow we can wrap up warmly and take a little wander. There
is no need to go too far but your body and mind will benefit from time out
of the house absorbing yourself in nature for just a little
while.
If the weather is so bad that you cannot get out at all, as I know it is in
some areas of the world right now, then sit awhile by your window to
watch nature from the safety of your home.
In these bleaker times we let the world of nature come to us. Hopefully,
you can see some winter sky, shrubs or trees and maybe birds, squirrels and
other wildlife will pass by. Frost, ice and snow make everything in the
garden or sightline look and feel different.
We can take comfort in the fact that this winter will pass and Spring is
invariably on its way as it always does. Winter can be the harshest of
seasons yet it too has its beauty.
I always take great comfort in the delicate, exquisitely beautiful and
strong hardy snowdrop that is ready under the ground now just waiting to
burst forth often into so cold weather and snow shows us that there is hope
in the deep mid-winter for brighter, lighter days to come.
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