The rose bushes

The rose bushes along the boardwalk by the harbour in Summerside are beautiful in the summer. Then autumn brings the beauty of the rose hips. This time of year, as the bushes emerge from the drifts and snow accumulation of winter, the branches and twigs are a highlight, though a few rose hips remain as well.

In one area, six rose bushes always catch my attention.

I love  the detail of the bushes against the vastness of sea ice and sky. A visit at sunset is magical as the darkness descends.

Then, focussing on a few of those bushes, one can see the Indian Head Lighthouse in the distance. 

The intricacy of every branch and limb of the rose bushes stands out against the ice and twilight sky.

The branches all but disappear into the setting sun.

Freeze and thaw

It has been bitterly cold with temperatures in the minus teens and windchills of minus thirties Celsius. It is a damp cold that feels as if it cuts to your bone, going through jackets, hats, mitts and pants as if you were naked. However, I couldn't resist a visit to see if the harbour was frozen. In the few minutes I was there, my hands felt close to frostbitten.

Last Friday, January 6th, I posted this picture of the harbour channel, taken the previous day.

 

As of Wednesday, January 11th, this is the harbour channel.

 

Meanwhile, the temperature has risen and will be near 5 degrees Celsius for several days. There may be open water again. 

There is often a January thaw but this year, another freeze and thaw cycle is forecast. We live in curious weather times!