April Snowshowers Bring Unhappy WI residents

You'd be mistaken if you thought this scene was photographed in January. No, it was photographed yesterday in Madison, Wisconsin. A record 7.2 inches (18.3 cm) fell yesterday - just when the snow from the weekend's storm was nearly melted. 

Although I wasn't happy to see the snow, I felt compelled to brave the elements and take some photos.

A snowy tunnel

While walking to Tenney Park, I spotted these two taking a spring/winter swim. While they might be pining for summer, I'm just eager for spring to be here. 

Oh well.

The good news is that within a few days, the snow should be gone. This better be the last time.

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Thai Structure in the Snow

With a decent combination of blue skies, fresh snow, and non-frigid temperatures, I took a late Sunday afternoon walk over to Olbrich Gardens. Winter transforms the pavilion, which looks far more like its counterparts in Thailand during the summer (see example of the Emerald Buddha temple in Bangkok, below).

The late afternoon light caught the warm hues of the gold leaf and red underside, enhancing the jewel-like appearance.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand

If you're in the Madison area, be sure to visit the Olbrich Gardens. Diversely beautiful in each of the four seasons.

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March Madness

No, this is not a long-lost photo from December. It was taken last week, on a walk in my neighborhood in Madison. Tonight I sit in the airport waiting to go to Arizona, where I will be "warmly" greeted with temps around 90°F (32°C). No snow boots needed, nor any of that other March madness! Here's looking forward to sunshine and saguaros! 

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From Shorts to Snow

Ah, Wisconsin! As I zipped up my jacket a little bit higher to shield myself from the arctic air, I surveyed the scene around me. 

Powdery snow blew freely, forming ripples reminiscent of those formed in the Sahara Desert. Ducks huddled near the shore, under fallen branches and leaning grasses. My fingers felt awkward as I clumsily tried to manipulate the dials on my camera. How could it be that just a couple of days earlier, Madison residents were strolling about in shorts - and some even complaining about the heat!

Of course, it wouldn't last. Perhaps in a couple of months, spring will try again. For now I'll have to be content with the pillowy rocks and icy ripples.

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Shadows in the Snow

Having finally spotted the sun, I happily bundled up and went for a photowalk. With the addition of a strong light source, the snow glittered and objects became more dimensional. It also created some wonderful shadows.

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Crooked Branches and Leaning Trees

Despite the overcast skies, I was determined to get out and take some photos featuring the overnight snowfall. With the flat lighting, I would have to focus on other elements. These branches evoked a stark, but beautiful quality with their dynamic, wiggling lines.

These trees provided some nice diagonals, echoed with the opposing diagonal of the open waters at the shoreline.

See more Winter in Wisconsin photos on my Flickr album

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Snowy Tiled Patterns

Fondly remembering the beautiful patterns created by snowfall on the tiles of a Buddhist temple in Seoul.

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Into the icy water

What a difference a few months makes. Tenney Park is now a stark winterland, the branches of the fallen tree blanketed in snow and a bit timid about dipping its tips into the frigid waters.

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The Resiliency of Bamboo

As I walked through the temple grounds, the snow-laden bamboo branches captured my attention. Prior to living in Asia, I had associated bamboo with growing in tropical places, not also in those that received snow. Yet even in heavy snowfalls, the bamboo proves resilient. In Daoism philosophy (present in Korea and China), bamboo is considered a symbol of longevity, flexibility, and durability. In Japan, the bamboo plant is revered for the same attributes.  Although bamboo can bend quite deeply under the heavy pressure of snow (and even look as if it will break), the bamboo proves resilient, snapping back upright in defiance.

When challenges and adversity come our way, perhaps we could take some lessons from the bamboo. These slender stalks have a higher tensile strength than steel. I doubt that even the massive trees of the Pacific Northwest can match that. Although we may not be the biggest, wealthiest, smartest, most popular, or showiest person on the block, Christ has made us like bamboo. We may sway deeply in the wind or bend rather severely, but if we hold steadfast in our faith in God, we will not break. As Philippians 4:13 reads, "I can do all things through Him who give me strength."

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Laden with Snow

Some more winter images of Bongwonsa Temple, focusing on pattern on trees.

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눈 Patterns in the Snow

If autumn leaves and spring blossoms can create beautiful patterns, why not snow? 

An exploration of Bongwonsa Temple, focusing on winter patterns. 

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Winter Wonderland at SFS

A little tour around  Seoul Foreign School this past Sunday

Middle School and SFS Gate

High School, Gate, and Elementary School (behind gate)

New Gate near the parking structure

Lyso Center (left), new gate, British School, parking structure

E-dong residential building

D-dong residential building

Road towards G-dong

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Cotton Bushes at the Temple

Seoul doesn't get a large amount of snowfall. Dry, cold winter days tend to be more the norm. On days that it does snow, the photographic urge wins over the desire to stay in the warmth of my ondol-heated apartment. With just enough packing power, the snow clumped on the bushes by the Bongwonsa temple, appearing like cotton. 

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Celestial Snowy Scene

Yet another white sculpture found at the Bongwonsa Temple in Seoul. Leaving it up to my interpretation, it looks like a goddess on a lotus calmly subduing a beast. I'd love to hear the actual story.

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Winter at Bongwonsa Temple

The freshly fallen snow enhanced the tranquility of the scene at Bongwonsa Temple in Seoul. An easy hike from my school, I love how the area transports me to what feels like a totally different area.

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Snowy Gold and Sunflowers

This cheery Buddha sculpture greeted me as I walked by on a pretty Sunday morning stroll. A bit odd to see the equally golden sunflowers all snow-covered as well. Definitely not a scene one would see in Thailand.

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