I finally found a model of avian kind that didn't fly away the moment I took out my can(n)on. This seagull gracefully allowed me to walk around it at a distance of about 6-7 metres pointing my telephoto lens at it and clicking away.
I couldn't bear the dreariness of the frozen land I have to live in anymore and simply had to change the scenery so I picked up my camera, my significant other, sat in the car and drove us to the coast. Not a great distance (just about 75 miles) but a significant change. Much brighter and warmer although there was little sunshine. There was a chilly breeze when we arrived but the wind soon changed and during the short period of calm it felt pleasantly warm.
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.
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.
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.