The snow started falling early this morning. We have had only one light snowfall this winter but we are expecting 16 cm (6.3") over 2 days. By the time I was awake, there was already an army of snow removal equipment hard at work. Above, a city plow.

In my backyard, the patio table serves as my snow indicator.

It's easy to appreciate the beauty when it's still early in the winter and I went out to take some photos.

I call them the big "romantic" flakes, the big snowflakes that fall when it's damp out and not too cold. They turn the trees into a winter wonderland. (Someone should write a song about that.)

So pretty, unless it builds up and threatens to break the branches but I doubt that's a problem today.

It's interesting to see how the snow accumulates on various things. And I decided to go for a walk.

Somewhere between putting my keys in my pocket, watching the snowplow, deciding whether to have my glasses on or off, and dangling my camera...

Swoosh! Bang!

I wiped out in the driveway. There was ice hiding under that snow. I looked around before getting up and nobody had witnessed it. We call that a "butt plant" after the pattern that's created when you fall backwards into deep snow.

A beautiful snow-filled tree.

Remind me to get the mail on my way back. There isn't much snow yet but by mid-winter the ridge along the side of the road can become significant.

The snow is heavy and wet and I don't envy anyone shovelling today. You can see them to the right over the spruce tree. The best use for this snow is making snowmen.