Cades Cove in March

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Betsy and I enjoy visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the ‘off’ seasons, although those seasons are harder to find then they used to be.  We often visit during the winter season.  The vibrant colors of Spring haven’t yet put in an appearance, but there is still a beauty to be enjoyed.  I got this picture in Cades Cove air March a few years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Sky and Icy Brances

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We haven’t gotten a lot of snow here in the Glade for the past few years, so I haven’t gotten many snowy inter wonderland pictures.  But we do ave beauty during the winter months.  A few years ago we had an ice storm that left the tree branches coated in ice.  Those icy branches against a beautiful blue sky made a wonderful winter picture.

Winter Beauty

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I admit that I don’t like Winter — I much prefer Spring or Autumn.  But even I will admit that there is beauty in Winter (as long as you don’t have to go out in it!).  I got this photo of an ice-covered tree in our yard a couple of Februarys ago.  Even I must admit that it is beautiful against that blue sky.

Snowy Golf Course Under a Blue Sky

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Someone who shall remain nameless says we never get enough snow here in the Glade.  I agree that we don’t get much, but what we do get snow it can be absolutely beautiful.  I got this photo of a snow-covered fairway under a brilliant blue sky from behind our house.  This photo was taken February 13, 2014.

Icy Tree on the Mountain

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This photo, taken from my archives, was taken on Mt. Nebo, in Arkansas in March, 2009.  There had been an ice storm during the night which left the the top of the mountain coated with ice.  I came upon this ice-encrusted tree when walking along the Rim Trail later in the day.

Worse than Snow

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If you follow us on Facebook, you know that Betsy and I were without power for about 50 hours because of an ice storm that hit our area.  Our yard looks like a war zone with broken tree branches all over the ground, so it’s not pretty in our yard.  I got this picture of an ice-coated holly bush during a break in the storm.

Spruce Flat Falls in Winter

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Several years ago Betsy and I hiked to Spruce Flat Falls in the Tremont area of the Great Smoky Mountains on a brisk February day.  There was as much ice as there was water on the falls, which made for a beautiful wintry photo.

Little River in Winter

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The leaves are gone from the trees in the Smokies in December, but there is still beauty to be found.  This picture of the Little River was taken at the ‘Y’ — Townsend, Tennessee, entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Waterfalls and Icicles

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Waterfalls and icicles often go together in February.  I got this picture, from my archives, of icicles formed by spray from Blue Hole Falls near Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Beautiful Sky, Beautiful Snow

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A snowstorm usually means gray, overcast skies.  But the day after a snowstorm can be sunny and bright.  We got five inches of snow last Wednesday (February 12), but the next morning featured a bright blue sky and sunshine.  That made the snow clinging to the trees and on the ground look even more beautiful.

This photo was taken from our front yard on February 13, 2014.

Icy Trees

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As a general rule I dislike ice more than I dislike snow.  Ice on roads is definitely dangerous, and ice on trees can often cause problems.  But sometimes ice on trees can be beautiful.  I got this photo of tree tops across the street from our house on a January afternoon last year.

Betsy Got Her Snow

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I took this picture yesterday (Monday) morning, looking out onto the fairway behind our house.  In addition to snow, as an added bonus, Betsy got some cold temperatures.  It was six degrees when we got up, and the temperature dropped all day.

Bejeweled Trees

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Ice on roads can be very dangerous, as can ice on trees if there is too much of it.  But a little bit of ice can be very beautiful.  We had a fast-moving ice storm move through the Glade last week, leaving a thin coating of on everything.  The afternoon sun made the trees and bushes in the empty lot across the street look as if they were adorned with diamonds.

Ice and Blue Skies

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We've been fortunate (or unfortunate if, like my Beautiful Bride, you like snow) this year as far as winter weather is concerned.  But even I will admit that winter can bring some beautiful photographic opportunities.  This picture, from my archives, shows ice on tree limbs gleaming in the sun beneath a beautiful blue sky.

Icy Seeds

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The picture above was scanned from a slide.

Bejeweled Trees

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We had freezing rain Monday night, and on Tuesday morning the trees in our yard had a thin coating of ice.  It was cloudy and misty, and yet the trees looked like they were covered with jewels.

Trees in Winter

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There are many trees in the Glade. In Spring and Summer they are lovely shades of green. During Autumn they are brilliant yellow, golds and reds. Winter occasionally clothes them in white.

Blue Winter Skies

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In winter on the Plateau there are no leaves on the trees, no flowers, and what grass there is is often brown. Fortunately we often have this beautiful blue sky to add color to our days.

Pine Needles in the Snow

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I really don't appreciate cold weather, and it's cold when pine needles collect snow and ice. But even I will admit that pine needles can look pretty when decorated this way.

Welcome to Winter

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Although this picture was taken several years ago when we lived in Hendersonville, Tennessee, I think it is a wonderful winter scene with the icy trees and blue skies. I also like the sun peeking around the branches of the tree.