For the last several days we have awakened to foggy mornings that cleared off at some point during the day. The result is a sparkling coat of hoar frost on the trees. It's all so beautiful, but the sun has no warmth to it whatsover. Winter cold sure gets old by this time of year. Today I walked through Russian Jack Park with my camera.
My list of birds so far in 2011 totals Ravens, Mallards, and Magpies seen. Black-capped Chickadees, A Common Redpoll, and a Bohemian Waxwing heard. Above a Black-billed Magpie endures the long winter.
I always wonder how birds like magpies find enough food to sustain themselves through the long winter. I have seen them gleaning Mountain Ash Berries but those never last through the whole winter.
This would probably make a good setting for a future painting.
A dried Cow Parsnip flower head.
A footbridge over Chester Creek.
Eagle River is frozen so solidly that people ride snow mobiles along it. The local lakes are able to support cars and pickups, but for some reason little Chester Creek never freezes.
Occasionally I spot Dippers in the creek. Not today.
I like the reflections in the creek's water.
Birch Trees can appear so drab and even depressing without their leaves except when they are covered by snow or frost. Then they are ethereal.
So it's all so pretty to look at, yet so inhospitable to live in. My fingers were completely numb when I took these last few photos, even with thick gloves. I'm ready for winter to be over but there's about three more months to go. Boo Hoo.
1 comment:
I recently saw a Magpie in our tree eating a mouse that it caught so their diet must range as to what is available.
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