Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM KEFALONIA

Snowflake Bonding on Mt. Aenos

I recall reading a quote some years ago that really made an impression on me. It went on about how a snowflake is the most fragile thing in nature, but what a wonder it is when so many of them stick together.
Such a simple but powerful truth.
Something so perishable making a lasting impression when in good company!

Snowflake bonding at Aenos National Park, Kefalonia

It makes you stand back and think of all the tiny, seemingly insignificant elements coming together to compose other objects that are altogether larger in size, scope, and significance.
Something along the lines of "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

So, we've had our trillion fragile snowflakes stick together on Mt. Aenos over the last few days. The result was breathtaking—in more ways than one! 🌨 🥶 🌨 🥶

The road inside Aenos National Park

Snow on Mt. Aenos National Park, Kefalonia

Xi Beach, Kefalonia as seen from snow-capped Mt. Aenos

❄Note❄ We made our way to Aenos National Park only to find that we were not alone. A white Christmas in Kefalonia is not always a given, so this was a special occasion. And though cars were not allowed to go past the Park gate due to icing on the road, those who wandered in on foot were rewarded by the picture perfect setting.

A holly oak tree feeling the load of bonding snowflakes

Snow covered abies cephalonica

❄And a note from the ambivalent blogger, willing to give winter a chance
I don't believe in plastering my photo on my posts, but allow me to make an exception—if only to prove my case to non-believers. Given my well-known aversion to freezing temperatures—and winter in general—I've already had questions about who I "borrowed" the photos from!
Yes, I actually went to face my nemesis. And between us, I'll admit that I enjoyed it as much as everyone else. 
However, my long term relationship with winter has not been affected despite this small truce. I did not come away with a boost in affection for the wicked season.
Let there be no misunderstandings!

🥶I will admit (reluctantly) that it was fun🥶

'Twas the Day Before Christmas and the Wind Blew from the North

View from Kefalonia to the Peloponnese

Few days are as clear, crisp, and colorful as those "blessed" by a northern wind. Minute details come into sharp focus and the muted winter horizon becomes clearly defined.

Neighboring islands, conveniently blurred by the seasonal mist, come out of hiding. On days like these, part of mainland Peloponnese pops up and is easily mistaken as the northern part of Zakynthos (Zante), our island neighbor to the south.

Quick changing cloud formations provide interesting backgrounds for otherwise depressing, bare trees. The sun's rays peek and pierce grey clouds to reach the sea surface as bright strobe lights.

Yes, all looks picture perfect, but is it?
Yes, there is a catch to this scenario.

The same northern winds that paint the sky and sea so creatively do not arrive without baggage. Their load is white, fluffy, and cold.
If you turn around and look at the backbone of Kefalonia, Mt. Aenos, you can see it "unpacking" with mischievous intent.

Then you know that this is going to be a white Christmas.
(And, it was!)

(to be continued)

One of Kefalonia's crisp winter days

It's snowing on Mt. Aenos, Kefalonia

Mt. Aenos, Kefalonia

'Tis the Season

Ho!Ho!Ho!

Kefalonia in Winter Mode: Slate Skies and Foamy Seas

Stormy Seas at Trapezaki, Kefalonia

It doesn't happen too often, but it does...
Writer's Block...
Fortunately, I can always rely on the Master to bail me out...

❝ Blow, blow, thou winter wind
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude. ❞

Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind  (William Shakespeare)

 

Winter sunset at Trapezaki, Kefalonia

Lourdas Bay, Kefalonia

Lagging Winter

Winter Scenes, Kefalonia

I never lose an opportunity to state that I'm partial to spring and summer as opposed to autumn and winter. In color palette jargon, I'd be a "blue-white-green person," as opposed to an "orange-gold-grey person." 

However, the last few years have been messing up with my color-scheme seasonality.

Summer lingers on for a while longer, making me more tolerant and forgiving of the season at hand. Autumn seems to have totally lost its sense of timing, lingering into the holidays, making me a bit more indulgent to the calendar's indication. 

The colors of autumn spilling into winter @Kefalonia

These long transitions are absolutely fabulous. The gray and rainy days—inadvertently interposed between the fabulous sunshine and unusually warm temperatures—become bearable.

Under these conditions, I can venture as far as enjoying a cloudy day or two, or even appreciate the orange,yellow and gold hues around me.

As long as this game of seasons does not spill into spring!

Moody Mt. Aenos, Kefalonia

Fruit's on, leaves off!

Pomegranate tree at Kambitsata, Kefalonia

Perky daisies growing among fallen leaves

Diospyrus Lotus tree (persimmon) @Kambitsata, Kefalonia

Colorful contrasts on a dull grey day

The last of the olives waiting to be picked

Better Luck Next Time

It is a game of endurance and persistence—one I often lose, but without regrets or grudges. The location provides ample opportunity for capturing one of those shots that you pat yourself on the back for managing.

Winter light (Spasmata, Kefalonia)

The setting

The rocky outcrop to the left of the beach is home to dozens of seagulls—nesting their young, flying to-and-from in interesting formations, and doing all sorts of inconceivable acrobatics.

The towering white rocks to the right provide a stark background for fishermen casting or pulling in their nets.

Straight ahead are the cloud formations over the peninsula of Paliki, indicative of the weather's general intentions for the next few days.

A few yards to the back is the end of the airport runway, with no surprises in activity this time of year.

Dispersed throughout the small bay are a number of fishing boats, some farther out, one or two to the right towards the white rocks. You'd think that it would be a matter of minutes before I'd get that desired shot.

Well, it isn't that simple...

Fishing near White Rocks, Kefalonia

The players

I can vouch for this; here, on this small bay, are the most uncooperative seagulls and fishermen on the entire island!

The birds seem to take off from their rocky haven only when I'm distracted doing some mundane task—like changing lenses or shifting position to avoid numbness.

The fisherman seems to (intentionally?) let the boat drift sideways to a most inconvenient (for the camera) position.

Is it possible that man and birds may be in cahoots? 
Yes, a conspiracy is clearly indicated.

No worries, I will be back

On this particular day, my "catch" was menial.
But it never fails!
Just when the dampness of the day began to overwhelm my bones and I just had to leave, it happened. The fisherman started to pull the net in, and a cloud of seagulls flocked over the boat to claim their share of the loot. A perfect window of opportunity for snapping some interesting shots.

But I was already in the car, no sense turning back.
Maybe next time...