Ice

Spring weather came early this year with temperatures in the 70s in February – but then the weather reverted to more normal conditions. When the temperature is well below freezing, some of the river backwaters freeze from bank to bank –

In quiet places along the shore of the river itself ice develops, often into intricate and beautiful patterns –

Where fallen trees or low-hanging branches are within the splash zone of the river's waves an abundance of ornate icicles often form –

It’s been quite warm for the last few days, far above freezing, so it's doubtful if more of these beautiful ice sculptures will form before next winter, but ...

The Round of the Year - Winter

Winter seems like a bleak season and many people feel that it’s unpleasant to be out in the cold and snow. But, just as in other seasons, there’s always pleasure to be found in the natural world and interesting things to see.

Early winter can see deep cold and days that are almost balmy, high winds and dead calm, rain and snow and blue skies. The coldest weather here usually comes in late January, by the end of February there may be warm sunny days and the first spring migrants may appear.

My project to post a photo from each day of the year season by season is now three fourths over; photos from summer and fall were posted here and here.

Once again, the dates of any photos from my camera traps are listed at the end of the post - see if you can identify them before you reach the end (no cheating). Herewith are photos from the winter  –

 

 

 

Winter began in the year when the worldwide temperature was the highest on record. It included record-setting heat in February, with a temperature of  73º F at the house. The last week of winter brought two days of snow, one dropping the most snow we've had all winter.

Now winter's over and spring is about to burst forth.

Camera trap photos - 1/14, 1/16, 2/28 and 3/9