Saturday, January 9, 2010

winter wonder

When I first saw this trail the only thing I could think of was snow snakes. What else could make such a trail, except maybe those extremely rare snow caterpillars. The trail led to the bird feeder where the answer awaited. It was the 20 or so mallards who consider our back yard as their lunch-o-rama. All the food was gone. I followed the trail and it went off to the pond. I thought those guys flew to Florida or someplace south for the winter. Not that Florida is any warmer right now.



If anyone can tell me how to take a picture of a sun globe without taking a self-portrait, please tell me.

The snow on the ligularia and hydranga remind me of ice cream cones.


I was in the basement when Pat yelled, "Jim, come quick. The sun's out. " I ran upstairs and took a picture since NE Ohio doesn't see the sun much in winter. Natives tell us it's because we're on the wrong side of the lake. I guess it's the winter version of the wrong side of the glacier routine. While the sun is out, it's still too cold for me to take a nap sitting at any of my favorite yard chairs.




11 comments:

Unknown said...

Aha, you've got the sun down there. Please send it up here. The alarming rise in snow caterpillars is beginning to concern me, and our donkey isn't a snow-caterpillar repellant!

Carol said...

Great sky photo... and now I do not feel so bad having left my chairs out! Hard to nap out there right now. Snow can be so much fun!

Lona said...

What a beautiful snow Jim and Pat. It is amazing how much can collect on the seed heads. Looks like very tall hats on them. The ducks must have been very hungry. Probably not mush to eat at the pond now.With a little snow adding to the bigger ones we have about a foot here in the hills now. We generally get a little more than the valley around us here. The flower beds are well covered now and with all of the cold temps it is a good thing.
When the sun comes out now it almost blinds one. LOL!

Gail said...

Snow snakes! That was a good one! Love the wonderful sunny and snowy photos~~

I imagine you have just about tamed that clay soil!

Gail

debsgarden said...

Brrr! Your snow is beautiful. I have seen a couple of flakes of our own, and although the snow didn't stick in our immediate area, I'm ready for spring now!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Jim! I just tried leaving a comment... will try again. Great Winter photos! We share the snowy white yards! Isn't it amazing the tall "sculptures" snow makes on things such as seed heads, balcony rails, etc? Have you had days off school? We just had a couple.

I know, I'm retired. That's okay. I love the snow (esp. when you don't have to brave these cold temps!). I have learned, though, not to call my teacher friends during Christmas break and congratulate them on a "snow day!" ha!

Liisa said...

What a lovely winter wonderland. I wish we saw the sun more frequently during the winter months as well. It makes the snow covered landscape seem magical. Your garden looks beautiful under its soft fluffy blanket. Stay warm!! :)

Bangchik and Kakdah said...

Snow has its own beauty... no colour, just white. ~bangchik

Noelle Johnson said...

Hi Jim,

Well, your beautiful photos have given me my snowy 'fix' for the day. Thank you for sharing your part of the world :-)

Bren Haas said...

I love the snow globe photo!
Happy New Year neighbor - it is going to be a wonderful winter if you keep on sharing images like those. I am enjoying them!

Stone Art's Blog said...

Nice snow photos. What a magical place the world looks like when it is covered in snow. These scenes are far too uncommon over here in soggy Ireland.