Hochwinter

Hello!

You remember the view over Vienna? Well this time it's all muted pastells:

And it was cooler. Way cooler. Freezing cold. It has been freezing cold for almost a week. We call this time of the year "Hochwinter" - midwinter.

This snow that is meant to last for a few days (not something we can take for granted in Vienna. Usually snow thaws immediately after the snowfall in Vienna.

Well, this year does start mono-thematic. It's the Lainzer Tiergarten. Again.

I can't help myself: these surroundings are just too good and need to be shared.

Our walking route was exactly the same one we did choose a week ago, only this time it looked ... different.

The Trees are wearing tiny snow blankets and the visitors visibly changed their appearance as well:

 Mountain gear in the city. Because we can. haha. 

We started late in the afternoon - late in terms of midwinter - past 2pm. Ouch. Gates close at 5pm. We made it, in time. Mostly because I spent only little taking photos. Not much time for proper tree watching. A quick glance to the left and a look to the right. Check!

When trees become bending roads. I like this shot!

Me, tree-scouting

There is something wonderful about those heavy grey skies above Vienna during midwinter. They look really heavy, like lead.

 Carl Moll captured the typical heavy winter sky on a late afternoon beautifully over 100 years ago:

Carl Moll: "Belvedere in Winter" colour woodcut, 1903 as seen at the ALBERTINA (exhibition ends 15 Jan 2017)

There is not much going on in todays photos. It is quiet, coppice, trees and most of the animals who live in the woods take a rest while we walk ....

 .. and walk ....

...enjoying scenic views while we walk, all the way through l'Heure Bleu.

It's fascinating, HOW blue the light gets. You won't see the Bleue as clearly while being are out there. Our brains somehow filter those nuances. But the photos (out of camera) show them clearly:

This is where Vienna ends and Lower Austria begins.

.... until the moon finally lead us towards the closing gate, 5 to 5.

The park is now closed for good, until 4 Feb (only a small part will be open to public).Those days around Christmas and New Year are special, because the park administration lets us in and allows us to disturb the rest the animals need during midwinter.

Can you tell, I DO love this city.

Stay warm :-)
Paula