Winter; in the Northern Hemisphere the period from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox. The coldest season of the year. Brrr...
Wrap up warm and venture out regardless. Low angle sun at this time of year and short days can lead to some interesting pictures that capture the mood and help portray the cold and rawness of the scene.
Colours are very muted and pictures become almost monochromes; you have to see the scenes differently when exposing for snow on dull days in low light for example, though the results have a beauty of their own. Avoid over processing them as they will become false. Photographs of days such as these should reflect their cold dreariness, their bitterness, their bite.
Hoar frost, frost on top of frost and, in this case, on top of frost on a sub-zero, bitingly cold, dull day can allow you to create a picture (here using a tele lens for its compression of perspective properties) with an ethereal feel. You could almost believe that this was the home of the Wintersmith the personification of Winter itself, maybe?
Mind you, when it was as bitterly cold as it was when I made the above picture that day and despite being appropriate dressed for the conditions. with the north wind that was blowing added to the chill, I didn't want to stay out long and I soon to head back in doors for coffee and cake!