One of my favourite things about winter are the trees. I love looking at their silhouettes on the skyline – when I draw back the curtains as the sun is rising over the local school

“Knightswood sunrise” flickr photo by NomadWarMachine shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA) license

and when I trudge up the hill to university, and pause to catch my breath

“Southpark St” flickr photo by NomadWarMachine shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA) license

They decorate my view like a fine lace, they frame my photos like witches’ fingers. I am transported back to early childhood, and my mother reading to me from books with beautiful illustrations by Arthur Rackham (I wonder, from time to time, which books these were – too late to ask her now).

Solitary trees are majestic –  I imagine them dancing in the sun unseen, waving in the winter breeze, stopping still as they sense a pair of eyes admiring them

“The view from Tir na nOg” flickr photo by NomadWarMachineshared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA) license

My city is covered in trees – so many that sometimes I do not even notice them until I look back at photos I have taken.

“355 Scotstoun Exchange” flickr photo by NomadWarMachine shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA) license

So however much I love spring, with the promise of warmer days, I look forward to winter, when the tree silhouettes will dance for me again.