A few dark strokes are what is visible of a Willow Grouse, otherwise indistinguishable from the surrounding snow. The animal died of the collision with a car along a minor road, to its eyes the obvious extension of its environment (everything here is white, now), crossed by chance in its quest for food among the low birches. Definitely not a good fate, if you think at the total lack of traffic. I picture the scene: out of the absolute silence, all the sudden the low noise of the car softed by the snow; maybe a quick swish at the impact, then quietness again, now truly absolute. Snow falls like an istant shroud to cover, remove the drama of an istant, an infinitesimal fraction in the life of Gaia. Someone might consider not a good omen opening the new year with a corpse photo, but it isn't a problem of mine: that's life. Those interested in further considerations on this subject could go to the last picture in November 2008.