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Scarlet Tanager and Things to Come

This morning was what seems to be quite the trend. Sleet and freezing rain. That rain turned the landscape into a sparkly fairyland. For me, this winter has become The Winter of Ice and Sleet. And this is no complaint. I’m absolutely loving all the frozen precipitation. All the diamond covered trees. Snow takes me…
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Jeffersonia or Twinleaf

Jeffersonia (Jeffersonia diphylla). In 1792 the botanist Benjamin Smith Barton named this plant after Thomas Jefferson. In 1807 Jefferson had Jeffersonia growing in one of the oval flower beds of Monticello. I’m proud to have something in common with my neighbor Thomas. Within a matter of four weeks I’ll be searching for these little signs…
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Tall Anemone

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Gregarious Cardinals
Quite the contrast to their breeding season during which Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are singularly territorial, winter is a time for them to hang out in flocks. Sitting in the blueberry bushes waiting their turn at the platform feeder. Waiting for a chance at the sunflower seeds. Or just sitting soaking up the sun enjoying…
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Mother Nature’s Art

When there is a weather forecast that includes freezing rain or snow or simply freezing temperatures, I’m all set, so is my camera. A vernal pool is a wonderful canvas for great artwork. Freezing temperatures and moisture, a magical mix. Mother Nature has created an ear worm! I’m hearing, “earth below us drifting falling” and…
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Snow Drops

The name is Snow Drop (Galanthus nivalis). This is what it looks like right now against my back steps as night time temperatures go down to well below freezing. It welcomes those temperatures and its namesake, snow, without a care. One very hardy plant that grows up from a bulb. A plant that is native…
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Five Inches of Snow

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Intrepid Daffodil

In the garden today – the intrepid daffodil. Sending fingers up to test out conditions. Or perhaps their bulbs are sending up periscopes to see if it’s safe. But for Daffodils things are just fine. They can take most anything. Even snow in late March. Tough as nails they stand up to wintery conditions. Surprise…

