Wilderness?

Not exactly. This photo as well as the one in the previous post were taken in the park just about 10 minutes' walk from the city centre. But fresh snow covers most signs of human presence and renders the scenery an almost mystical air. However, the low clouds let little light through so the whole world appears monochrome although I haven't altered any of the photos (except for the resize). The effect may be interesting but I terribly miss some blue sky and sunshine.

After the cold came more snow

And with it all the pleasures: the chaos on the roads, slushy and slippery sidewalks because everybody strews salt over the snow rather than shovelling it, dirty pools of snowmelt at every crossing, piles of dirty snow occupying every potential parking space, irregular and overcrowded bus lines, the waterproof boots leaking and more stuff like that.

At least the arctic cold has eased off a bit.

Hide and seek

That's what the sun has been playing with us... hiding behind thick layer of low clouds for most of the time. This picture is from a few days ago, though, when it managed to break through shortly before setting. If nothing else, at least the colours look warm.

The cold continues...

...and the low clouds linger over the valleys, keeping the frigid air below. We are well into the third week of constant sub-freezing temperatures. This winter with its weather patterns is immensely tedious and there seems no end to it.

The flat is still cold although slightly less so (the offices were ok, though). But we have bought an electric heater to make the living at least bearable. Now I'm thinking: should I send the bill to our energy provider, or even the Russians, perchance? If it weren't for the bastards, we wouldn't have to spend on the purchase plus the electricity it will use...

I'm so sick of this cold I could scream!

Baby it's cold outside (inside, too)

The photo may look bright but I can assure you it was mighty cold when I took it.

We've been having sub-freezing temperatures ever since Christmas Eve (if my memory serves me well). Anyhow, we're literally frezing and have been for more than two weeks on end with the temperatures dropping as low as -12 C (my converter says that's about 10F) in the capital,and much lower in some more remote areas. Unofficially a temperature of about -46C (nearly -51F) was measured in one spot known for extreme cold, which is said to be an all-time low ever measured in Slovenia (okay, there were probably temperatures as low or even lower before but nobody cared to measure them).

Now, my dislike of all things cold is no secret. I don't like cold and don't stand it well. So I was unpleasantly surprised when the temperature in my flat, which is centrally heated, dropped to below 17C (62F) a few days ago and the situation hasn't improved since. Since the dispute between Russia and Ukraine the pipelines have been closed down and much of Europe has been experiencing shortages in the gas supply. Allegedly, an agreement has been reached but the gas hasn't started to pour in yet (or so we are told). In spite of the authorities saying households wouldn't be affected by the shortage, the central heating provider has apparently reduced the heating in what is proving to be the coldest beginning of year in the last 20 years if not longer.

So, i'm feeling uncomfortable and my nose is beginning to run and there's nothing I can do but rant about it. I HATE cold!

Watch a birdie!

I initially intended to post one of these photos somewhere else but changed my mind. One reason is, I couldn't decide which photo I liked better: the colour or the black and white. So here are both.

There is one other thing, though. I made a rather essential mistake but that was the only way I could shoot this photo in the first place. It is taken in misty weather without any direct light in a city park during my lunch break so there was no way I could have had my fancy camera with me. So, with my compact Canon, I flashed the birdie which somewhat kills the colours of the bird feeder and the background although it enhances the structure of the blackbird's feathers and adds a sparkle in its eye. I tend never to flash at the wildlife, though, but this shot was an exception, and besides, I think the birds were quite used to the light and noise after the New Year's celebrations.