Absent the usual furies of wind, overnight temperatures near 20º F conspire with moisture-laden clouds and deposit a fluffy comforter of celestial down across the slumbering Llano Estacado. Eight inches of snowfall blankets the tablelands at daybreak.
First peeks out windows reveal a magical aftermath born of gentle chaos. Remaining autumn foliage of yard trees paints colorful masterpieces across the wintry palette. Water droplets from roof drip edges discover icicles and meld into crystal magnificence. Roosting birds resemble puffballs. And, a fine powder of snow still sifts from gray skies.
Before long Cooper and I succumb to the siren call of the open prairie and venture into her frigid embrace. We meander down ranch roads and game trails. While I trudge along laboriously, Cooper scampers across the snow-covered plain with relative ease. His exuberance fuels my pace. I pause frequently and partake of the prairie’s essence. My spirit soars. Rusty and burnt-orange autumn troubadours of a week ago now sing a different tune. Frosty pastel hues dominate.
Come walk with me.
© Ilija Lukić 2013
First peeks out windows reveal a magical aftermath born of gentle chaos. Remaining autumn foliage of yard trees paints colorful masterpieces across the wintry palette. Water droplets from roof drip edges discover icicles and meld into crystal magnificence. Roosting birds resemble puffballs. And, a fine powder of snow still sifts from gray skies.
Before long Cooper and I succumb to the siren call of the open prairie and venture into her frigid embrace. We meander down ranch roads and game trails. While I trudge along laboriously, Cooper scampers across the snow-covered plain with relative ease. His exuberance fuels my pace. I pause frequently and partake of the prairie’s essence. My spirit soars. Rusty and burnt-orange autumn troubadours of a week ago now sing a different tune. Frosty pastel hues dominate.
Come walk with me.
© Ilija Lukić 2013
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| Nopales Escalofríos - Cactus Shivers (opuntia engelmannii aka Discus Prickly Pear) |
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| Winter Slumber |
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| Autumn Echoes (amaranthus palmeri aka Palmer's Amaranth skeletons) |
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| Delicate Relationship (solanum rostratum aka Buffalo Bur) |
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| Gentle Slumber (ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm) |
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| Exit Stage Left (Cooper) |
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| Pathfinder (Cooper) |
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| Intrepid Llanero (Cooper) |
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| Snowy Huddle (cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla) |
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| Quietude (ulmus pumila aka Siberian Elm) |
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| Come Out, Come Out Whoever You Are (Cooper) |
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| Cholla Bearing Gifts (cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla tuna) |
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| Wintry Passage (Llano Estacado east of Clovis, New Mexico) |
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| Winter Treasure (brickellia eupatorioides aka False Boneset) |
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| Prickly Sextuplets (solanum rostratum aka Spiny Nightshade) |
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| Spanish Daggers And Gold (yucca campestris and brickellia eupatorioides) |
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| Tumultuous Welcome (cylindropuntia imbricata aka Cane Cholla) |
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| Sublime Chaos |
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| Yucca Quintet (yucca campestris aka Plains Yucca) |
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