First Snow with Berries by Chipka
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Description
On the day of winter’s first snow, it was still—by any calendar—the trailing end of autumn. It didn’t matter. It looked like winter. It felt like winter: not in terms of temperature (even though it was cold enough for snow) but in the atmospheric vibe the city acquired.
It was a Saturday when the season’s first snow fell. It had been unseasonably warm less than two weeks before, and it was still warm: paradoxically speaking, it was warm enough for snow. The lake’s breath hadn’t chilled the air to the biting lows Chicago is known for. And so, on a day warm enough for snow, Corey and I pocketed our cameras and made our way to Lakeview. Our old stomping grounds. Boystown.
We were in the mood to take pictures. We were in the mood to walk around, and eat at one of our favorite restaurants. I was in the mood to buy a book.
We took pictures. We walked around and ate at one of our favorite restaurants. I bought a book, but I have yet to read it. It’s on my to read list and it’s near the very top.
On the corner of Broadway and Something (not far from Belmont and Something—though on this day, it was Belmont and Something Else,) I saw the season’s last berries. They were still red, still succulent, still undamaged. In the weeks previous, Chicago’s strange and fitful warmth prevented any substantial frost, and so the most stubborn flowers still bloomed. Berries clung to branches, now devoid of foliage. Snow coated those berry-rich branches, and gave the corner of Broadway and Something a distinctly Yuletide air.
I was intrigued. I was enchanted. I was able to forget my current occupation as a mover, and so I was able to completely able to ignore the dental office not far from these red-bangled branches. (No, I didn’t take pictures of the dental office. Perhaps it’s superstition on my part, but I tend to avoid taking pictures of such places as I’m likely to move very heavy things into them at some point in the near future.)
Chicago has since grown colder. The temperatures have fallen far into the single digits. Winter is still a few days away, but the cold breath from the lake makes one think that it’s arrived in full force.
Current temperatures notwithstanding, I like this picture immensely. It reminds me of something. What? I don’t know…but something. The past, perhaps, or something less sentimental. At any rate, it’s there, and this is a visual record of it.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great (and warm) week.
Comments (20)
RodS
Brrrrr! It's frakkin' cold here, too! We got a little snow, but not enough to be in any way photogenic. This, on the other hand is a nice, Christmas-y photo! Still cold, but... :-D Nice one, Chip!
bmac62
Wonder if these berries are the kind that make birds stagger, wear silly grins and even cry into their beer as they pour out their troubles to the nearest birdtending bartender. It would be a way for them to keep warm for a little while, wouldn't it? Like both your muse here and your descriptive, recounting of the recent climatological conditions in Chicago:)
jac204
I was hearing of the cold weather in Chicago and thinking it would soon be here, which it now is. "Berry" nice picture and narrative and sorry for the bad pun.
flavia49
fabulous capture!
MrsRatbag
I love red berries in the snow, and this is a wonderful shot! We had a wet cold day on Sunday and I wanted to buy books too, great minds think alike, eh?
kgb224
I like the red berries in between the snow covered tree branches my friend. I believe it is rthe red colored berries in between the white snow that does it for this capture. Well spotted and captured.
beachzz
Buying books is always a good thing---You do it quite sneakily too!! Anyway, I just love this foto, the red berries look so festive, you'd think someone decorated the tree!!!
auntietk
They're so beautiful against the snow! Gorgeous contrast, and the angle of your shot makes me feel like I'm standing there, about to get snow down the back of my neck.
bimm3d
superb!!
durleybeachbum
Oh, to have your gift for storytelling! You make the more or less mundane so extremely interesting. Those nearest berries hang like decorations on a Christmas tree.
helanker
These berries remind me of my own bird feeding tree. It has red berries too, as it is a Hawthorn. I am always happy to se berries on it, because I know ho much the birds need it. I believe I have a similar shot somewhere in mt folder :-) Chip it is such a lovely shot and I like it alot.
Rhanagaz
Great capture! Red fits so well to white! Fine report from cold Chicago! Have a nice and warm week to you, too! ;o)
sandra46
SUPERLATIVE, EXCELLENT!!!
Orinoor
One of my favorite sights, snow piled on ridiculously small red things. I had to laugh at your "Broadway and Something", since we have a street not far from here name Somewhere Else Lane. I always smile when I think about it.
lick.a.witch
Who would need to put up a christmas tree when such as this is to be seen. I love your narrative and the way you view your world! ^=^
MagikUnicorn
Beautiful shot of the first snow and I really like read your story that help me with my english language Thanks :) Magik Montrealer
anmes
The red berries add fantastically to the image
danapommet
I like the shot and the Christmas image that popped into my mind. I see the red berries against the gray sky, snow and leafless tree branches. It has a wonderful feel to it Chip. Dana
three_grrr
Bookstore!!! Snow!!! Cameras!! A perfect day!! A crabapple tree maybe? We have one in the yard, and the birds come to it later on in the winter when food is more scarce. The little teensy apples are more for show, but when hunger strikes, some birds will eat these. Some actually like these wee apples that look like berries. They cling to the trees forever! And the trees look like they were decorated for Christmas, don't they? Love the contrasts .. love the narrative .. an headed for a bookstore tomorrow!! One of those that has piles and piles of books, cheap.
alida
love the contrast between the two colors.....two different seasons,two worlds