It was 8 PM and I’d been trying all day to photograph snowflakes. But try as I might, the wind was howling and I could only “harvest” bits and pieces blown off the roof. Feeling a little discouraged—realizing that this would be the last chance to photograph snowflakes until next winter—I retreated inside.
Three hours later, a thought tap-danced across my concentration: “Go outside and try again.” So I pulled a pair of insulated pants and a parka over my pajamas, donned a hat and gloves, and headed into the night.
This snowflake was the first one to land on my black sampling board and “sparkle” in the light of my headlamp. I picked it up with a paintbrush (like scooping up a pancake with a spatula) and set it on the microscope slide. Holding my breath so I wouldn’t melt the snow crystal, I quickly adjusted the camera settings. As it came into focus, I nearly cried…
Thanks for stopping by. Be inspired. Be happy.
Love and blessings,
P.S. What is your favorite thing about snowflakes? Write me a note below…
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Marion Owen is a “Jill of all trades,” with 30 years of experience as a teacher and columnist. She’s on a mission to help busy people enhance their daily lives. How? She “Readers’ Digests” topics such as photography, cooking, and organic gardening. Get her free 4-page “In Good Light: Photo Tips for Busy People” and feel recharged when taking pictures.
29 Comments
Sally
August 24, 2018 at 4:36 PMThank you for the wonderful article
Irene jays
January 20, 2017 at 4:05 PMOMG ‘s, thank-you for sharing !
tom DeLopez
January 19, 2017 at 3:00 PMHappy New Year, Marion and Marty. Have a Blessed year.
Tom and Sandy DeLopez
marionowen
January 19, 2017 at 7:26 PMAnd many blessings to you and Sandy. Hope Florida’s winter weather is treating you well.
Melissa
January 18, 2017 at 7:57 AMI agree with all, wow!! How long do you have before the snowflake starts to melt? Tell Martin I think the cold hands were worth the end result ;-). I am sooo standing by for next post! M.
Linda
January 17, 2017 at 6:36 PMMarion, you ABSOLUTELY AMAZE me capturing these beautiful snowflakes. Until you did this last year I had NO IDEA that they looked like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thank you so very much for what you do!
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 7:38 PMYou’re most welcome… I photographed snowflakes on moss and spruce cones today. A real treat. Stand by for a posting…
Sharon
January 17, 2017 at 6:20 PMWhat a fabulous photo/work of art! And a wonderful lesson on trying just one more time!
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 7:37 PMYup. Never give up!
daryleone
January 17, 2017 at 4:02 PMMarion,
That voice you heard may have been from the ghost of a fella who shot a few flakes in Jericho, VT some years ago …
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 7:36 PMYou might be right. I must visit Jericho some time. That fella was, and remains, an inspiration for me… to do what you love.
daryleone
February 24, 2017 at 2:21 PMHi Marion,
If you get bored and it’s still really cold one night, make up a batch of soap bubble mix and freeze a few bubbles. I’m told they photograph well.
H. Allen
January 17, 2017 at 12:02 PMBeautiful
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 7:34 PMThank you dear brother. Sending you love…
luanne43
January 17, 2017 at 8:45 AMLove the narratives you always post with your photos! Tis a beautiful snowflake! Yes, a snowflakes and northern lights photo montage would be fabulous! Another great idea by you!!
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 7:36 PMThank you, Luanne!
Helen Williams
January 17, 2017 at 6:17 AMThank you so much!- A beautiful picture-
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 8:32 AMThank you, Helen. I love the process of discovery…
Candice Falatko
January 17, 2017 at 5:33 AMSo Beautiful. Thank you.
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 8:32 AMThank you, Candy. Hope your winter is treating you well. Any travel plans?
Kathy Copeland
January 17, 2017 at 4:48 AMAaaahhhh ohhhhhh ouuuu Sooooo gorgeous! Captured forever!! See you soon! X K
Kathy Copeland Executive Director Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 8:33 AMMaybe it will snow in Death Valley whilst we are there with you guys. Hugs from Kodiak and see you soon!
Martin Owen
January 16, 2017 at 10:26 PMBeautiful image Dear. Don’t know what time you came to bed, but I do recall how cold your hands were!
Carolyn Clark
January 16, 2017 at 9:08 PMVery beautiful! You listened to inspiration. Thank you. 🙂
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 8:34 AMI’m working on listening to that still voice from within. Thanks for the encouragement Carolyn.
Diana Thompson
January 16, 2017 at 8:01 PMsuch a gift…the snowflake photo and you Marion!!
Velda
January 16, 2017 at 7:38 PMThat is flat out amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it!
Claire Armistead
January 16, 2017 at 7:38 PMBeautiful, Marion!! Kudos to you for your creativity, skill, perseverance, and more … it’s beastly cold out there!
marionowen
January 17, 2017 at 8:38 AMAh, Claire, beastly cold = snowflakes and northern lights. Hmmm, maybe I should build a photo montage, putting both together!