Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, January 9, 1940

2° below this morning. Everything white with frost. Tops of trees, sunlit, against the clear light blue sky. 

The snow seemed white, until the great white puffs of smoke from trains are seen – then it is clear that the snow is darker (reflecting blue from the west sky, combined with the sunlit positions produces a brilliant gray effect). 

Snow-crystals on wires - they keep flashing in & off as they catch the sunlight just right. The same effect in a dense group of young saplings. 

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, January 9, 1940