Seen from the hilltops

December 26

Now that the ground is covered with snow, the pine woods seen from the hilltops are not green but a dark brown, greenish-brown perhaps. You see dark patches of wood.

There are still half a dozen fresh ripe red and glossy oak leaves left on the bush under the Cliffs.

Walden not yet more than half frozen over.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, December 26, 1850

Now that the ground is covered with snow, the pine woods seen from the hilltops are not green but a dark brown. . . See December 5, 1850 ("Seen from the Cliffs, the evergreens are greener than ever. There is a peculiar bright light on the pines and on their stems. . . .”). Compare December 26, 1855 ("The whole top of the pine forest, as seen miles off in the horizon, is of sharp points.”).

Walden not yet more than half frozen over.  See December 26, 1853 (“Walden still open. . . .the only pond hereabouts that is open.”) See also A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, Annual ice-in at Walden