Lilac Gate

Pearls with Snow

2012-01-30T07:46:00.000-05:00

I was exploring the differences in texture between the pearls and the snow.

I think I need more contrast in the colours...

Bench with Snow

2012-01-28T19:15:00.001-05:00

I have been looking at the benches, covered with snow, wondering how they would photograph, and had to stop when I saw this one on the way to work.

Frosted Chicory

2012-01-28T15:09:00.000-05:00

I have never been satisfied with a photo of chicory seedheads,

till I found these covered in frost.

Frost at Dawn

2012-01-28T08:57:00.000-05:00

I delayed our walk till the sun was well and truly above the horizon,

and was rewarded with frost crystals covering everything.

These are cow parsnip seed heads that the birds have left bare.

Icicles

2012-01-27T17:55:00.000-05:00

These tiny icicles are right against the curb, where the sun's rays strike the snow that has been moved off the parking lot, causing the snow to melt, and freeze again at night.

Friday's Fences

2012-01-26T18:08:00.000-05:00

This rail fence is covered in wild grape vines.

To see more fences from around the world, click here.

Skywatch Friday

2012-01-26T16:08:00.000-05:00

There was frost this morning when I captured these sweet clover plants against the sky.

To see more skies from around the world, click on the icon to the right.

Grape Hyacinths

2012-01-26T09:07:00.000-05:00

Delicate grape hyacinths are among my favourite spring flowers.

Pinhey's Point

2012-01-25T13:44:00.001-05:00

Pinhey's Point is an historical site near Ottawa, but it is also the name of this spit of land pointing into the Ottawa River.

The ecology of the point itself is too fragile to allow visitors.

You can see the Gatineau Hills across the river.

Shadows

2012-01-25T08:28:00.000-05:00

I was capturing the delicate florets of the Queen Anne's lace, when I noticed the shadows on the pitcher.

Lady's Mantle

2012-01-24T20:58:00.000-05:00

I love lady's mantle

for the way it holds dewdrops and raindrops.

In the spring,

there are froths of tiny delicate flowers

above the leaves.

The whole plant is less than feet tall.

Watery Wednesday

2012-01-24T13:39:00.000-05:00

Playing in the archives again, I found this photo of a small fountain. I like the colour, and the action in the water.

To get your eyes wet, click the icon on the right.

Pearls

2012-01-22T08:07:00.000-05:00

I'm getting tired of the snow and ice, and starting to play with still lifes. At least I can stay warm...

Currant Leaves

2012-01-21T20:02:00.001-05:00

In the fall, the currant leaves were changing colour,

and touched by frost.

Thyme

2012-01-21T15:53:00.000-05:00

Thyme blossoms are so tiny, but

they carpet the ground.

Upright Fuschia

2012-01-21T07:53:00.000-05:00

My mother had an upright fuschia

in the planter last summer.

Burning Bush

2012-01-20T20:35:00.000-05:00

The berries of the burning bush,

encapsulated in ice,

sparkle against the sky.

Ice on Cars

2012-01-20T14:29:00.000-05:00

People who parked their cars outside had to spend half an hour clearing them before driving.

Chain Link Fence

2012-01-20T08:19:00.001-05:00

The freezing rain settled on the fence around the schoolyard

to be backlit by the morning sun.

And you thought nothing could

make chain link fence beautiful...

Friday's Fences

2012-01-19T20:08:00.000-05:00

Icicles formed on parts of the wooden fence,

where there had been enough rain to run.

Mostly, the rain simply froze on the topside of everything.

To see more fences from around the world, visit Friday's Fences.

Skywatch Friday

2012-01-19T14:59:00.000-05:00

Continuing the chronicles of the freezing rain, my walk to work took a lot longer than usual.

This is white pine needles and cones, covered with ice.

To see more of the skies around the world, click on the icon on the right.

Dawn After Freezing Rain

2012-01-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, we had a winter storm warning, with freezing rain

and snow. Turns out there was not so much snow,

but the rain froze on the branches and everything.

The morning light show was wonderful!!

Annie

2012-01-17T23:50:00.000-05:00

We went for a long walk this morning, since the temperature had warmed up. I was surprised at the depth of the snow, however. I was in up to my knees at times, and Annie was not too happy about being belly deep most of the time.

Watery Wednesday

2012-01-17T22:39:00.000-05:00

Walking across the park, I was admiring the wind-sculpted snow in the sunshine. Snow is the main example of water that we have at this time of year.

To see more watery photos from around the world, click the icon on the right.

Echinacea

2012-01-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

One of the neighbours left the bee balm

standing in the front yard.

I love the way the bristles catch the snow.

January Lilacs

2012-01-15T21:17:00.000-05:00

We had our first real storm of the winter on Friday -

about 6 inches of snow.

Then the temperatures dropped to something near 30 below freezing.

It might be pretty out there, but our walks are short, and Jake says they are still too long. He wants indoor plumbing.

Today's Flowers

2012-01-15T08:47:00.000-05:00

Back to the archives for these seed fluffs. I never did figure out what they were...

It has been a long time since I have joined Today's Flowers.

Sunrise

2012-01-15T08:06:00.000-05:00

We had colour in the sky this morning!!!

Of course, the temperature is nearly 30 below freezing...

Blackbird

2012-01-14T15:59:00.000-05:00

One relatively warm morning, this guy was sitting in the sun muttering to himself.

Rose Leaves with Snow

2012-01-14T07:59:00.000-05:00

The leaves may be dry and brown, but the dusting of feathery snow makes them so beautiful...

Friday's Fences

2012-01-13T08:27:00.000-05:00

And here we have a selection of common fence adornments for your perusal...

To see more fences, visit Jan and Jer here.

Skywatch Friday

2012-01-13T08:17:00.000-05:00

This is what most nice days look like, this time of year, although we do get a few sunny days. Jake is much better, thank you - I think people food upsets his delicate little tummy.

To see more skies from around the world, click the icon on the right.

Summer

2012-01-12T11:46:00.000-05:00

I am playing in the archives today, because the precipitation is some form of freezing rain, and I had to stay home from work because the dog has the runs.

The archives are a much nicer place to be...

Watery Wednesday

2012-01-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

The temperatures were above freezing, and these icicles at the library were melting.

Water was running steadily off the longest one, but the others were dripping,

so I captured some of the droplets.

To see more water from around the world, click the icon on the right.

Shadows

2012-01-10T09:06:00.000-05:00

There was enough sun for the weeds beside this fence

to cast shadows today.

It was so good to see the sun...

Rosehips

2012-01-09T21:06:00.000-05:00

I have found some rosehips that still have colour.

They have been frozen repeatedly, but are still interesting.

The lowest hips on the bushes are better at catching the sun and melting the snow than anything else.

Ducks

2012-01-08T08:55:00.000-05:00

A pair of mallards were dabbling in the stream

as I crossed the bridge.

Snow

2012-01-07T20:49:00.001-05:00

I tried capturing the snow and ice on the pond alone,

but it looks so much better with the weeds in front.

Black Eyed Susans

2012-01-07T14:41:00.003-05:00

I brought some seed heads of black eyed Susans home,

so they would be convenient models.

Husband is amused to see them standing in the snow

showing off their pretty caps.

Nightshade Berries

2012-01-07T08:32:00.000-05:00

The nightshade berries are just about the only colour

left in this wintery world.

But they are so pretty with their caps of feathery snowflakes.

Moon and Icicles

2012-01-06T22:30:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know the quality is terrible, but that is what happens when the tripod is at home, and you are just leaving work.

I still love the captures...

Friday's Fences

2012-01-05T20:02:00.001-05:00

The decorative fence in the park in Woodstock

casts shadows on the snow in the morning light.

To see more fences, click here.

Skywatch Friday

2012-01-05T14:53:00.001-05:00

A light coating of ice on the birch twigs and catkins

sparkles in the sunlight.

To see more skies from around the world, click the icon on the right.

Seed Pods

2012-01-05T08:44:00.000-05:00

My mother's garden is separated from a soccer field by a large berm, so that is snow in the background, not sky.

The ice on the seed pods takes such varied shapes.

Sumac

2012-01-04T22:43:00.000-05:00

There have been some blue sky days,

and the blue is a perfect background for the sumac berries.

Silhouettes

2012-01-04T14:51:00.000-05:00

Milkweed against the morning colours

Japanese Maple

2012-01-04T07:50:00.000-05:00

I love the shapes of these leaves against the snow, but I captured them in the shade, and the colours were terrible.

So I removed all the colour...

Burning Bush

2012-01-03T19:13:00.000-05:00

When I posted photos of this shrub in November, Mel identified it as

burning bush, a member of the Euonymus family.

Since then, I have been seeing them all over.

Watery Wednesday

2012-01-03T14:57:00.003-05:00

The morning sun caught the frigid waters of Cedar Creek, and the ice left over from the storm.

For more watery photos from around the world, click the icon on the right.

Morning

2012-01-03T08:47:00.001-05:00

I like the delicate colours of the sunrise, and the way the sun catches the branches of the spruce tree.

Giant Sock Monkey

2012-01-02T20:40:00.002-05:00

The sock monkey in the front window of the craft store in Ingersoll was knitted with both large needles and heavy yarn, so it is very large. The blue thing beside it is a toddler's lawn chair.

Sunflower

2012-01-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

The sunflowers at the bus station half way to Toronto have been left for the birds.

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-02T16:35:00.000-05:00

I am going to assume that January 1st happened, although I did not see much of it. I simply could not wake up long enough. And my charming husband did not even check to see if I was Sleeping Beauty!

So I am going to wish one and all a very

Happy New Year today!!!

Steps

2011-12-31T14:04:00.001-05:00

We took the back door into the cafe in Ingersoll, and passed these steps, almost as steep as a ladder. Someone appeared to live at the top - I wonder how they moved their furniture in...

Skootamatta River

2011-12-31T08:03:00.000-05:00

I captured this curving tree on the journey to and from Woodstock, so you can see the difference a couple of days can make.

Skywatch Friday

2011-12-30T23:43:00.000-05:00

The odd shape of the contrail caught my eye, and I followed it across the sky.

To see more skies from around the world, click the icon on the right.

Friday's Fences

2011-12-29T18:57:00.000-05:00

The line of the fencing looks a lot like the grass, when they are all covered with snow.

To see more fences from around the world, click here.

Dandelions

2011-12-29T16:28:00.000-05:00

Last week, the late afternoon sun glowed through the last dandelions.

Cattails With Snow

2011-12-28T20:53:00.000-05:00

Wild Asters

2011-12-28T16:34:00.000-05:00

The wild asters beside the frozen pond still dream of autumn's warmth.

Leaf With Ice

2011-12-27T20:50:00.000-05:00

Trees

2011-12-27T16:22:00.000-05:00

The trees stand, patient, through the winter snows.

Flowering Crab Apples

2011-12-26T20:45:00.001-05:00

The flowering crab apples, covered with ice, are fantastic gems.

Snowy Goldenrod

2011-12-26T16:09:00.001-05:00

The goldenrod still has a lacy look,

against the snowy skies of early winter.

Monday Morning

2011-12-26T07:07:00.000-05:00

I am going to be away for a few days, visiting my parents.

But I have left you some posts, for while I am gone.

It was too early in the morning to get a decent shot of the milkweed pod, but I like the silhouette against the sunrise...

Birch Catkins

2011-12-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

After an afternoon and evening of freezing rain,

the sun shines on the birch catkins,

turning the ice to jewels.

Virgin's Bower

2011-12-25T16:09:00.000-05:00

The snow has been softly falling all day.

I took the dogs for a long walk after church,

to enjoy the quiet, and the falling...

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T08:09:00.000-05:00

Friday's Fences

2011-12-23T14:34:00.000-05:00

The sun was rising behind the heavy clouds, but on this side of them, there was a scattering of snow, and a bitter wind. Parts of this fence are covered with the remains of raspberry canes.

To see more fences from around the world, click here.

Skywatch Friday

2011-12-22T14:18:00.000-05:00

I was watching the exhaust from the school chimney, blowing in the wind, and admiring the shapes as they were lit by the morning sun.

For more views of the skies around the world, click the icon on the right.

Feathers

2011-12-22T08:18:00.000-05:00

I found more feathers in the fields,

last traces of the geese...

Heart of Stones

2011-12-21T20:22:00.002-05:00

Remember the heart bowl full of stones last month? Well, this is what it looks like now...

Frosty Leaves

2011-12-21T14:10:00.000-05:00

There hasn't been enough snow yet to flatten the leaves, so some of them still filter the sunlight.

Purple Loosestrife, With Fluff

2011-12-21T08:09:00.000-05:00

Purple loosestrife seed pods beside a frozen pond,

with captured fluff - either milkweed or cattail...

Watery Wednesday

2011-12-20T12:38:00.000-05:00

The temperature was well below freezing this morning, so the ice bubbles were trapped in the ice. You can also see the scratches where the dogs were moving too quickly.

Fore more watery photos from around the world. click on the icon to the right.

Violet?

2011-12-19T08:22:00.000-05:00

While picking up in the back yard, I found a violet blooming, in December!! A bit shopworn, but blooming! Since it was drizzling, I brought it indoors for a photo shoot.

Grand Opening

2011-12-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

I have spent the last month creating a store at Cafe Press, using some of my photos to create T shirts, jewelry, journals, and more. I intend to add more designs, and to remove the ones that do not prove to be popular, so bookmark the page, and drop in every so often.

Here is the address.

More Snow and Ice

2011-12-17T08:05:00.000-05:00

I am amazed that the ferns

are still green under the snow,

while the seed heads are encased in ice.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2011-12-16T16:35:00.000-05:00

Every December, the heavy equipment rental place

puts up a display in their front yard.

I look forward to their innovative advertising.

Friday's Fences

2011-12-16T08:27:00.000-05:00

Looking at the little details in several fences around the area.

To see more fences from around the world, click here.

Skywatch Friday

2011-12-15T19:48:00.000-05:00

Early in the morning, the moon was still visible,

accenting the birch tree and the Christmas bells.

To see more skies around the world, click the icon on the right.

Christmas Cactus

2011-12-15T07:42:00.000-05:00

Watery Wednesday

2011-12-13T15:22:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of icicles on the old barn.

It is hard to capture both the sunlit icicle and the shadowed wood.

I like the light refracted through the ice and cast onto the barn,

and the shapes the icicles take, following the brances.

For more ways to get cyberwet, click the icon on the right.

Wild Grapes

2011-12-13T08:22:00.000-05:00

The wild grapes catch the snow,

then it melts, and forms drops or ice.

I have never noticed the juice staining the drops before.

Jake

2011-12-12T19:45:00.000-05:00

Jake is a whippet, eleven years old now.

Ice Crystals

2011-12-12T14:09:00.000-05:00

The cow parsnip carried a few bits of ice

in the morning light.

Queen Anne's Lace

2011-12-12T08:09:00.000-05:00

The Queen Anne's lace still looks lacy with a bit of snow on it.

Amaryllis

2011-12-10T07:45:00.000-05:00

The grocery store has lots of amaryllises blooming,

mostly these red and white striped ones,

but occasionally other colours.

This poor little dwarf is from a friend's place.

Friday's Fences

2011-12-09T07:54:00.000-05:00

This week, I can't decide which fence I prefer -

the decorative one at a mall, or an old wire one in the fields. So I will post both of them. To see other fences from around the world, click here.

Skywatch Friday

2011-12-08T21:02:00.000-05:00

The moon was rising in the east, as the sun

and the planes set in the west.

To see more skies from around the world, click the icon on the right.

Pool of Water

2011-12-07T16:59:00.000-05:00

You can see the ripples caused by the snow melting and dripping off the grass. And the snowflakes still falling.

The outflowing stream is smaller, and already starting to freeze.

Snowy Tree

2011-12-07T07:59:00.000-05:00

I love the way the snow accentuates

the lines of this tree,

and, of course, the way the water reflects it.

Watery Wednesday

2011-12-06T15:12:00.002-05:00

One of the advantages of having goldenrod in the garden, is the way it holds the snow.

For more watery captures, some of it even thawed, click the icon on the right.

Ice on a Puddle

2011-12-06T08:11:00.000-05:00

With and without Annie's foot

Birch Bark in the Snowy Woods

2011-12-05T19:24:00.000-05:00

The gentle snow caught on the curls

of the birch bark,

and the woods were still.

Nightshade Berries

2011-12-05T14:22:00.001-05:00

Deer in the Woods

2011-12-04T09:22:00.000-05:00

The deer were willing to let me get closer

than the turkeys.

I was about twenty feet from the buck,

but the does stayed about thirty feet away.

Wild Turkeys

2011-12-03T15:06:00.000-05:00

As I approached the deer feeding area, I saw four wild turkeys.

They let me approach to within fifty feet before they

faded off into the trees.

A Walk in the Snowy Woods

2011-12-03T08:06:00.000-05:00

The morning rain turned to snow

and I took the long way home,

through the quiet woods.

I stopped often to admire the

beauty of the snow.

Skywatch Friday and Friday's Fences

2011-12-01T18:15:00.000-05:00

This is about as colourful as the skies get, in November.

This morning, the sun did cast its rays on the walking sentinels in an interesting manner, lighting up the coil things, although I was too far away for a really good photo.

For the link to Skywatch Friday, click here.

And the fences have not been much more interesting. To link to Friday's Fences, click here.