I can't remember a winter fall with so many frosty, foggy days? Yesterday was yet another but this time, the frost stayed on some plants the entire day! Now THAT rarely happens. Usually, by noon, the sun is out and the frost has melted off.
One thing these circumstances produce are "postcard perfect" compositions almost anywhere the camera is pointed. Persevering that late into the day also gives this "not so early bird" photographer the ample opportunity needed to capture the scenery!
Frosted branches from the yew pathway:
Frosted evergreens at the entrance to our subdivision:
Frosted berries:
A neighbors decorated light post:
and most exciting of all ~ the frosty mornings have brought in two red tail hawks:
For several days now, they have been perching (??) just around the corner from my house!
Their forms are so large & impressive, they're almost impossible to miss (although I'd bet some of my neighbors haven't noticed them yet.)
The first day I only saw one and had to ask my dad what it was ~ I couldn't see any red on the tail so I wasn't sure it was a red tail:
He identified it as a juvenile which could explain why I was confused.
Yesterday, the red was a lot more evident or maybe these are both different birds??
Either way, their presence has been a very different addition (not to mention the element of excitement they bring) to the neighborhood. It will be interesting to see how long they stay.
As far as the frost, I'm ready for a break! I bet you couldn't guess that was coming... ;-)
Wow - more fabulous photos! I can't believe how much frost you've had up there this year. Love that you have hawks visiting - I would be so excited to see them! I love your blog girlfriend!
Posted by: Dana | December 15, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Wow, you are right! Those are incredible picture-perfect photos! The kind you used to see in "Ideals" magazine (I'm dating myself). They'd be great on Christmas cards!
Posted by: PlantPostings | December 15, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Love the frost in the pics. Especially on those lovely red berries! Glad we've had unseasonably warm weather on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In the 60's yesterday. Dropping this afternoon though with highs only in the 30's tomorrow. :-(
Posted by: Nancy Anderson | December 16, 2011 at 09:32 AM
Beautiful Christmasy pictures! Until today we were having the opposite type weather ~ yesterday was T shirt weather.
Those hawks look hungry. We're having a bit of a kerfuffle with the raptors on our farm. A couple of Great Horned Owls have moved in and now the Red-Shouldered Hawks have been pressured to expand their hunting territory to the top of our property.
Posted by: sweetbay | December 17, 2011 at 07:34 AM
Stunning photo's! Love how you captured all the frost on your conifers.Looks magical...would be great for Christmas cards!
Posted by: The Graceful Gardener | December 19, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Kathleen, I would be grateful if you could send a little of that frost and snow this way for Christmas. After Christmas I promise to return it! Love the frosted evergreen and the images of the hawks.
Posted by: Jennifer | December 21, 2011 at 05:27 AM