A winter walk - plants are similar to bears

It was cold, grey and windy yesterday and today the sun is shining brightly but it is below zero degrees celsius. It is still winter so this type of weather is expected. There was a bit of snowfall not long ago but nothing settled. While walking around I realized that I missed the snow. It might seem crazy to some but I enjoy all four seasons. What I have learnt about the weather in my neck of the woods, is that it does whatever it wants to, whenever it feels like - in which ever season. Since I cannot control the weather - I enjoy what comes.

The walk

I enjoy going for walks in my large garden - not in my back yard but parks and woods everywhere. Mother Nature has the best public garden and it's always an adventure.

Since there is no snow anywhere, I decided to peruse my photos for lovely February walks with snow. On this route there were no conifers - so all trees had lost their leaves.
I love how dramatic and artistic this tree looks.

It made me pause for a while but on I went along a path well travelled (from the tracks in the snow).

Can you see the heart in the sky? 😀

This clearing which is normally full of grass, still atrracted these wild oxes who foraged despite the snow.

I saw beauty everywhere. Even these wild teasels looked lovely in this setting.

I was busy trying to get the best shot of them, when a couple came by and set up their tripod stands right next to me. I thought - although I was only armed with my iPhone - they observed the beauty that I saw too.😀

Soon thereafter I spotted this ship, which could no longer hide behind the tall grasses at the waters edge.

Close by was this windmill.

It would not be a walk in dutch country without spotting one, at least.

After my excursion through my photos - I went outside to my balcony/terrace - it looks quiet sad and less artistic compared to the gorgeous leafless trees above. It is full of empty pots and grow bags waiting patiently for spring.
The rosemary plant with its purple flowers is looking quite pretty. I am impressed as it's the first flowering. This is a plant that I propagated and nurtured.

The thyme looks woody

and the only winterization done for the strawberries was to leave them alone.

There is still a bit of greenery and colour in my table garden as the swiss chard and kale keep on producing and producing.

The talk about bears

I see plants in winter as master "hibernators". They are analagous to bears in this respect. How? They become dormant and know how and when to start hibernating, in order to survive treacherous winters. Plants start to adapt from early autumn - hence the leaves fall. They pause photosynthesis and growth. They rest and reserve energy for the growing season. Aren't they so intelligent and magnificent?

Soon it will be spring - the start of the planting season. Then the ground and plants will be envigorated - bursting forth! Part of plants life cycle which I am looking forward to.

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All photos are my own.