In this version of winter you cast off your boots and bulky layers and place your feet directly on the warm sand. Sand that you have gratefully borrowed for just a week. And you can’t stop looking at those marine blues of the sea and the graceful patterns the water makes. You want them etched in your mind forever. Damn, we live in a gorgeous world.
A counterpoint to the previous post, I guess. I’ve been away – feet in the sand, head in the clouds blue sky.
[Near and far views of the shifting landscape of Exuma, Bahamas. Sigh.]
© Karen McRae, 2014
draw and shoot 
Great shots (and of course those of us in the cold envy you :))
Well, I am back in the cold now too, Victor. Heading out for a ski shortly!
Thanks very much. : )
Looks like the perfect hiatus – how on earth did you ever get back on the plane?! (Says she, facing windchill of -31C … )
It was hard to get back on the plane, Sydney! A little bit of paradise left behind…
Are you back in Edmonton again? It’s been harshley cold there. I think everyone is looking forward to spring.
Ahhhh:)
Yup! : )
Jealous!!! 🙂 Gorgeously warm… impossible to imagine here at the moment!
You guys are just getting relentless harsh weather from what I hear! I hope things settle down there. An early spring is in order.
It was gorgeous, Cath, I was so grateful to have the chance to go.
Oh Wow, I said I was looking forward to your pictures, I’m not disappointed. What a wonderful place to visit Karen. 🙂
The seashore there is astonishingly beautiful. I love the diversity of our world! Thanks very much, Adrian, I was so thrilled to experience a little of this place.
Your pictures Karen are in total harmony with the snowy endless northern silence. I love them.
Thanks so much, Alexander. Traded the snow for sand for a short while, both are beautiful but the warmth was wonderful!
Beautiful series, Karen.
Thanks, Harrie. The landscape there was perfection!
Outstanding. 😉
Thank you, Cynthia, I was completely in awe. : )
I was just thinking you must be somewhere else. Beautiful photos.
Yes, traveling and family things filling my time. Thanks very much, Allen. The sea is beguiling, as you well know! : )
Give me the snow, the cold, the bone chilling wind any day! Winter is a magical time of year, when nature regales us with the pleasure of watching the familiar transformed, the mundane adorned, and the landscape itself reshaped by the whims of the wind and snow playing with abandon.
. . . yeah, I don’t buy it either, but it sounds better than saying “Crap, it’s cold!”, “Arrgh! . . . I’m blinded by the snow!”, “I can’t feel my fingers!”, and the everpopular “I think my bits are frozen off!”.
Those are very nice photos. Bahama is yet another in our list of places to eventually visit. I do like the sand patterns . . . I’d be reluctant to walk on them.
Emilio, I think those of us that go through tough winters really appreciate the other seasons! Winter just overstays its welcome.
It was a wonderful break, and I highly recommend the Bahamas. I hope you get a chance to go.
ahhh – looks like heaven! happy you had a trip to the tropics – I visit the beach in my dreams 🙂 K
Yes, it was perfection! Thanks, Kathleen. : )
Now that I’m bach home I will be hitting the beach in my dreams too!
Just one word: jealous! Really, looks like heaven 🙂
I felt so lucky to get a chance to be there. It was bliss!
Thanks, Emily. : )
I’love your pictures Karen, their are very nice.
Thank you, Isabel. The subject was very cooperative! : )
great to know that you can get away even for a short while – but skiing sounds good too!! 🙂
I do love winter and the snow but full-on sun and warmth was sooo good! Yes, skiing is wonderful, the conditions are pretty good for the time being.
sand between your toes but obviously not in your eyes…. to the benefit of us all
A little salt water in the eyes but thankfully no sand.
Thanks very much, Anthony.
The patterns in the sand are so beautiful. I hope you enjoyed your holiday, Karen, it looks and sounds as though you did,
I had a wonderful holiday, thank you, Ashley! I love those sand patterns too, and the way the sea shapes the edges of the land.
Beautiful – the sand and sea together make such wonderful patterns. That little hiatus reminds you there is a summer somewhere, then you can go back and enjoy the lovely crisp winter days!
It was good to remember what summer feels like! I kept thinking I have to remember all those gorgeous colours, too.
Thank you, Anna. : )
Beautiful Karen. I remember how clear the water was like there was nothing between you and the fish.
Beautiful shots, Karen!
A week like that is just enough to make it through even THIS winter that we’re having… thanks for sharing the beauty! xx
If that’s winter, I’ll take that all year round. 🙂
Sigh is right. Wow, what I’d give…beautiful shots, Karen!
I genuinely thought the thumbnail was a picture of snow!
*sigh* indeed! A direct contrast from your usual environment. What a wonderful world with such variety!
I think this is the thing Karen, you just love doing what you do, and it shows time after time. Beautiful.
Great winter, Karen!
Wonderful views!
beautiful scenes… I too have problems finding subjects in winter, close to where I live… but sometimes the sun peeks out… and then even if it’s cold, there are visual moments.
We could do with some weather like that here in the UK. Looks like paradise!
wow, outsatnding takes!
Wonderful view in the cold winter! Soo beautiful!
“Damn, we live in a gorgeous world.” YES! I’m happy for you! As much as I know you love winter, this is surely a very. good. thing.
And i thought i was looking at ice… until the fourth photo! Wonderful and warm.
Love the patterns in the sand.
Ah that lovely blue and sand that we are so fond of Karen 😉 I was in Italy for a week in February… marvellous light . I am playing catch up on your blog