Winter Wonders

Over the past couple of days, weather forecasters had been warning us of impending snow which was scheduled to begin Tuesday night and dump about 30 cms (12") on us by the time it was done sometime on Wednesday. Dire warnings about stocking up and staying home were issued. Schools were closed.

We waited.

The snow started when predicted but I can't say that we have anything more than about 15 cms. I shoveled our driveway yesterday morning and the snow continued for another few hours. My son shoveled round two.

So we didn't get hit as forecast. Shoveling didn't take very long. I have no excuse why today's photos are going to be repeats (of previous snowy days) but that's exactly what they're going to be. You may or may not have seen them before. In either case, I hope you enjoy them.

A dash of bright, red Cardinal stands out amid the fluffy, white branches. If you take a closer look, you'll see he has a sparrow buddy nearby.

Peering down at the bench below, Mrs. Cardinal sits upon a branch, looking lovely in the falling snow.

And this, of course, is the bench below.

A starling. There were many around the year this photo was taken but I haven't seen any yet this winter. This one was photographed through the glass door.

There have been plenty of Downy woodpeckers around. This one was enjoying the suet in my now-departed plum tree.

This little cutie patiently waits his turn for his daily peanut.

If this Blue jay will leave one behind for him, that is.

After the snowfall, the setting sun paints the sky with with soft shades of pink and yellow.

Found in Snow

The following photos weren't all taken on the same day but they were each snapped shortly after the recent snowfalls or dustings which have occurred over the past few weeks.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a dry place to sit once the snow has moved into the neighbourhood. Snow-covered benches have a way of looking soft and inviting in spite of this.

I'm not sure what this is. There were too many brambles in the way for me to get up close to see it, or even get a better photograph of it. At first I thought it was an apple because there are numerous apple trees in the area. Looking at the image, I'm thinking it might be a tomato placed there as an offering to the squirrels or other critters.

Way across the pond, I found this brilliant green lettuce leaf protruding from the snow. It wasn't there the previous day. Tossed salad, perhaps?

This was my own offering to the squirrels. I leave peanuts in several places every time I go out for a walk around the pond. They're always gone by the next day - probably by the time I get home.

Moving on, around the pond, this blue sand toy lay abandoned in the snow. I didn't see anyone around who might have been using it but I did spot their handiwork on the tabletop to the left.

While I was snapping a photo, I felt a nudge on my leg. I looked down to see these sweet creature hoping for a scratch behind her ears. Unfortunately, the owner didn't want her to socialize with me and she urged her along. I blew her a kiss when she turned to look back at me. I think she received it.

Making my way toward the homestretch, I saw this coffee cup buried in snow, on top of yet another picnic table. I imagine that if it still contained anything, it was ice coffee.

Thanks for visiting my neck of the woods.