Sick of Snow?

So are you sick of snow yet?

Well I am. Or rather I would be if we still had a significant amount. We don't have too much left but these photos were taken when we did. I hope you enjoy them even if you're sick of the white stuff.


One of the new park benches installed last autumn overlooks the partially-frozen, fowl-filled pond. Say that three times fast!




Impressive little mallards look as if they're walking on water.




Incoming geese! Sorry, mallards but you can't have the whole pond to yourselves.




Don't they kind of look as if someone just tossed them all into the air?




These fence-cicles keep catching my eye, this winter.




No matter the season, Queen Anne's Lace always has my attention. This snow cap is keeping her warm until her milky petals can take over in the warmer part of spring.




Back in Frank's neck of the woods, you can see how the snow has helped to disguise those ice blocks. They're still there - just a little bit buried.




The creek's surface is completely frozen over in some parts, but you can still see the water rushing just beneath its icy veneer.




It's much too early to see caterpillars around here but I thought this little patch of snowy ice did a fine imitation of one.




Ya gotta love the tenacity of squirrels.




And here's Mr. Tenacity himself.

I hope you enjoyed the snowy outing. More photos coming up soon.

From the Land of Ice and Snow

It has warmed up a fair bit today, and the rest of the week is supposed to bring above-freezing temperatures. I figure this might be a good time to show you just how cold and snowy it has been for the past few weeks.

Bedroom windows are always a pretty reliable measure of the frigid temperatures outside, and of just how creative Nature can be.

I can see patterns in these waves of frozen snow. Here, I see a flock of flying dragons taking off from the icy ripples for other wintry lands unknown.

But the icy fingers of February will soon yield to warmer weather.

Queen Anne's Lace will emerge from beneath their blankets of snow.

And burrs will shed their fluffy hats and bask in the sunshine.

I'm going to enjoy the coming warmth because I know that winter will be back for a repeat performance.

Blog post title blatantly stolen from Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song.

Winter Sunlight

Three weeks ago I went to visit Frank for a couple of days. It was cold but sunny, and as late afternoon approached, we took a walk along the creek. Below are a few photos from that day. Please remember to click on each of them to enlarge.


The late-day sun seemed to reawaken the vibrant colours of the previous season. Autumn shades remained present on colourful but leafless branches.




Have a look at the brilliant contrast of fire and ice as seen from one of the creek's twisty-turning bends.




Water gently laps over stones at the icy shore to create interesting shapes. I see another (upside down) penguin in the ice.




A couple of craggy faces seem to be in the middle of a heated discussion. Perhaps they should stop arguing and take a look at what's coming at them from across the creek.




See ya later, alligator.



I have a hard time resisting aiming my camera at Queen Anne's Lace. This day was no exception.



I also liked how other dried out weeds and grasses look along the icy shore.





Snow, ice, water and shoreline create natural stripes - alternating shades of warm and cold. A lone set of tracks cut a diagonal path across the snow.





The day's last rays cast a golden light upon this beautiful cedar.





One of the prettiest spots along the shore. A place to bid the creek goodnight.

I'll have more for you in a few days if you'll join me then.

Wings and Other Things

I'll probably return to my colour-themed posts somewhere down the road - there are still a few shades which I haven't explored but for now, I'm posting a few new photos taken over the last several weeks. All of them were snapped either in my own back yard or around my local park. Please remember to click on each of the photos to enlarge them.




This little guy kept a wary eye on me while I prepared to refill the bird feeder and suet. Taken through glass. (please click to enlarge)





He knew it wouldn't be long before I'd also toss some peanuts out for his snack. (please click to enlarge)





Since the squirrels and back yard birds are taken care of, let's see what we can find around the pond. (please click to enlarge)





A sudden flurry of activity (namely one crazy little Jack Russell Terrier) sent these Mallards flying to the safety of the other side of the pond. (please click to enlarge)





On this day, as has happened other times on my walks, a fluffy little Northern Mockingbird seemed intent upon making sure I noticed him. He sat and watched me while I spoke to him and took some photos. (please click to enlarge)





By the time I moved along, the sun was beginning to descend in the sky, creating that magic hour which I love so much. The Queen Anne's Lace of last summer seemed to enjoy its warmth. (please click to enlarge)





On the other side of the pond, there was a lot of Cardinal activity. A large flock of these red beauties seem to hang out in this one particular area. This male perched on a branch above me. (please click to enlarge)





A lovely female landed on the fence post of a neighbouring back yard. Aren't her colours just incredible? (please click to enlarge)





Approaching the dock, I found this to be an unusual place for a snow angel. It was actually formed on the semi-frozen surface of the pond. This means that someone stepped out on mushy ice to make their wings. It's a good thing the ice wasn't any softer at the time. (please click to enlarge)





Later in the day, the sun was setting by the dam end of the pond. This is just one of the concrete posts and the sun reflecting in the icy surface. (please click to enlarge)

Thanks for joining me.

Ever Wonder How?

Please note that the Posts of the Week should be back next Wednesday. Thanks for understanding this holiday slowdown. Please remember to click on each image to enlarge.



Ever wonder how a flower can be plain and unremarkable throughout summer but appear striking and eye-catching after its death and well into the winter?




Ever wonder how a sunset can glow on the horizon and add fire and warmth to the end of a cold winter's day?




Ever wonder how such a fragile creature learns to trust a human presence and allow a camera to click loudly nearby?




Ever wonder how a crazy little dog can disappear for no longer than three seconds but come back with a fresh collection of burrs?




Ever wonder how that same dog can challenge you with a "let's do it again" look and make a game out of removing said burrs? As soon as each one was plucked from his back and discarded, he chased it down again. Did I mention that he's a crazy dog?




Ever wonder how human feet could be this small? These belong to my newest neighbour, Liliana Elizabeth - sister to Winston the leaf-thrower and octopus-conqueror.




Ever wonder how a newborn's tiny hand can seek and grasp the comfort of another human hand? That's Frank's finger offering security.




Ever wonder how a few lights - blurry, out of focus and reflected in glass can still dazzle our eyes and give holiday cheer?

I wish you all a Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year.
See you in 2010!

At First Glance (And Winner Announced)

Thank you to everyone who entered my Casserole Giveaway a couple of posts back. A random draw produced the lucky winner. Congratulations to Joanna Jenkins of The Fifty Factor. According to her blog, she'll be away from internet access until Sunday, but she'll have this little surprise news waiting for her upon her return.

Below are a few photos taken over the last couple of weeks. Please remember to click on each image to enlarge.

An out of focus park bench as seen behind a branch of colourful spindle berries. They'll remain bright like this through much of the winter.





At first glance, what do you think this is?




I can tell you what it is. I just can't tell you why. They're areas in the surface of the mostly-frozen pond which are beginning to thaw. The black center is water. The dark gray is icy and the white, of course, is snow-covered ice. There is nothing directly above those spots which could be dripping onto them. I don't know why this happens quite like this - do you?




The green leaves are ground cover which hadn't quite yet died. The yellow and red leaves had fallen from nearby trees. I liked how the light dusting of snow frosted the foliage.




Similarly, I thought this tree looked nice with it new winter coat. I left a peanut between its trunks after I took this photo.




At first glance, you can see a photograph of Frank taking a picture. Of what?




What you see in his viewfinder was my bird feeder. This little chickadee came to dine and stuck around long enough for me to get a shot of my own.




Long-withered Queen Anne's Lace still looks pretty against its snowy background.




In a few days time, the sun will begin to set just a little bit later each day. For now, dusk seems to come so early with lovely streaks of colour.




Ducks line up along the top of the dam while the mauve and magenta sky reflects in the lake behind them.





At first glance, you see a set of blurry Christmas lights...





But back up and you'll see that you were looking at their reflection in the parked cars. This was taken at a slightly different angle than the previous cropped photo.

See you with more in a few days.