Seasons Greetings from Alabama! Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter
Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 8:30PM Less than two weeks ago, brilliant fall colors of Japanese maples and more mellow, antique foliage of other trees and shrubs combined for a beautiful farewell to autumn. 
I knew winter was coming as aging leaves showered down and the woods took on shades of gray and brown. Earlier this week, I casually listened to weather reports forecasting possible snow. Snow predictions are often overblown here, but this time there wasn't the hysteria of mass school closings and a rush on grocery stores that such reports usually generate. I expected some snow flurries, maybe. We don't get much snow in central Alabama.
Yesterday I was truly surprised when I woke to this scene in the front garden:
Snow was coming down! Before it stopped 12 hours later, Lou measured 6 inches in the flat parking area behind the house. The weather forecasters had misjudged (slightly!) the amount we would get.
I thought it would be interesting to compare images taken on November 28 to those I took yesterday. What a difference 10 days make! Do you prefer the fall or winter images? Photos in each set were taken in the same general location:
'Feelin' Blue' Deodar Cedar with Japanese maple 'Orido Nishiki' in the background.
The blue bridge in the woodland garden:
Views of the bench in the woodlands:
A side path in the woodland garden:
Woodland rabbit viewing the garden:
Looking toward the edge of the woodland garden:
The "sitting rock" in the woodland garden:
A birdbath in front of the house:
Finally, some images of a couple of birdhouses:
Our snow will be gone by tomorrow afternoon. I don't have to deal with it all winter, so I can enjoy the wonderment of it as a delightful change of scenery. And I have more snow pictures! Coming soon in my next post...
Reader Comments (16)
The views both before and after the snowfall are absolutely beautiful, Deb! Weather extremes seem to be occurring everywhere - I've heard similar reports out of Europe. If only my extreme weather here manifested in as pretty a form as yours. The wildfires have been hellish. The firefighters are slowly containing most of them but there are predictions that the Thomas Fire burning in Ventura County will continue to wreak havoc until Christmas. The loss of homes is awful enough but the losses of domestic animals and wildlife has been horrible - more than 60 horses have been killed, which just makes me sick.
We didn't get any snow here in Madison, GA, so I've enjoyed looking at everyone else's pictures! Seems the entire Southeast got more than bargained for! xo
I like seeing both images. The before and after . It is fitting that the rabbit was warm enough to shed the snow.
I have seen enough snow for a lifetime so prefer the fall photos Deb! However, snow in Alabama is wonderful, as long as you get to sit at home!! Lovely, your world is just lovely!!
The winter scenes are magical, but I like the autumnal photos just as much. No snow here, it is 80 degrees! Your blue Deodar Cedar is really beautiful, and the photo of the birds at the bird bath is also delightful. Best wishes for a gentle winter!
Oooo, I love these comparison photos! You folks in the south put us northerners to shame with your enthusiasm for the snow. And, also your eyes for the beauty of the wintry scenes. Thanks for the fresh perspective and appreciation.
That is a big difference. My sister said that they did not get snow in north Alabama. We had snow here one year ago yesterday. So far, none yet.
Living like you in a place where it is unusual to have snow I love the snowy, wintry shots of your garden but realistically I love the autumn colour even more. To have as much glorious colour as you do I imagine that even if snow is unusual a big difference in daytime/night-time temperatures must be quite normal.
Your garden always looks magical Deb. We also had a thick layer of snow today. But it's already gone now.
Oh my gosh! You've got more snow than we do! Actually, we had less than an inch and it melted after a couple of days.
Oh Deb...your photographs are gorgeous! It is amazing how a first snowfall can turn the landscape into a winter wonderland (and in Alabama too!). I loved how you compared the before and after shots. Again...stunning!
Even my sister got snow in Houston! A weird start to winter for sure!
I've got to say I like the autumn pictures more, though of course the snowy ones are pretty too. Your woodland rabbit seems to be taking it all in stride. ;-)
Your Japanese maples were gorgeous, so colorful! The difference in the pictures are like night and day.
We didn't get any snow here, just cold rain.
I thought of you when I heard how much snow you got down south -- more than we did! Of course, the difference is that yours will probably melt pretty quickly; ours will be here until late March or early April. It's hard to deny the magical beauty of fresh snow on trees, though.
I'm in favor of the fall scenery but that snow -- oh my! We never get any of that in Florida and I would have been out there playing in it like a little kid. Loved the yellow bird house with snow on the roof.
I guess you've got the ideal situation, not having to deal with snow all winter but getting the opportunity to take some magical pictures.Love the before and after shots.