First Measurable Snow of the Season

We had a nice little snowstorm overnight and into today that left us with 4.5" of snow. The snow was super wet and heavy so it stuck to the trees and piled up on the bird feeders and benches. 

The pine boughs were heavily laden with snow causing them to bend dramatically and sometimes to just break off. We heard many sharp cracks of sound as this happened in many directions throughout the storm. 

The leaves of beech trees even held onto the snow...

As did the oaks. These trees hold onto their leaves into next year in a process called marcescence. But, that is a topic for another post. 

We enjoyed looking into the forest and seeing the contrasting brown of the tree trunks and branches with the white of the snow. So much intricacy in patterning with all the interwoven branches at every level and depth into the forest.

Over at Caesar Pond, I watched as the wind began to increase and some of the snow was shaken from branches. What a gorgeous sight!

It is so pretty on the pond with everything snow covered; even the sides of the trees got plastered! The white of the snow in contrast with the different colors of lichens always catches my eye.