Hidden Magic

For a few brief hours Monday, the fog lifted for the first time in days.  Seriously.  Days of groping my way around the mountain, the parks, the streets.

After the boys and I returned from yesterday's very dismal, icy walk, I made a cup of coffee and sat down to do some writing.  I had barely begun when this strange ball of alien light suddenly burst through the window next to my work table.  Blinded, I threw up a hand and peered out between my fingers, to see...*gasp*...the sun!!!

But wait.  It wasn't just the sun.  Because under the dense layers of fog and mist, fashioned by ice and frigid temperatures, was a hidden wonderland, glittering in the sunlight.  Of course, I grabbed the camera and dashed outside before the fog drifted back to cloak the mountain again.

Standing under my Birch trees, covered so beautifully in ice against the blue sky...

Icy tendrils hanging over the garden path...

A close up of willowy branches so delicately encased...

A little sproutlet of Mexican Feather Grass, tips iced like it had been dipped in frosting...

As I was going up the driveway, I saw a series of cobwebs, along the fence, in the trees.  I'm just fascinated by the fragile strength of these amazing, intricate creations.  They're especially spectacular when frozen, and every line, curve and mathematical mystery is clearly revealed.
 
These were the two that first caught my eye, between the fence rails next to the garage...

Then I spotted a grouping of webs, like an exotic condo complex, in a cedar tree on the other side of my drive.  I go past this tree every day and have never once seen these elaborate structures.  It took the ice, clinging to each strand, to show me this otherworld...

 
I think this must be the gym, or the exercise room.  Maybe it's the trampoline and play area for the spider babies.  Check out those long threads holding the flat middle section, like a platform.  (I'm trying not to imagine this as a gigantic lunch wagon, or the condo smorgasbord...eewww...)

I came back inside to download the photos, but before I'd even started, the fog returned, blue skies turned gray, the icy chill began seeping 'round the corners of the house. 

Ah well.  For a few, short moments I got a glimpse of another realm, made even more special after it once again vanished into the mists...