01/04/12- a shade upon the blank palette

(warrensville, nc)

While we were examining the knot in the limbs, the sun had been out with dazzling brightness. Suddenly, it was obscured by high drifting clouds, and in the resulting contrast we beheld shadow profiles cast against the pure snow in the form of the further boughs.

The lines were not clearly defined, and beginnings and endings were difficult to place.

This was the region of the timberline which the bear had passed and died within, and black cliffs later surrounded us as we brewed strong coffee on the blaze.