Thursday, January 2, 2014

Brr! Snow and Cold!

It has been too cold for me to be out taking photos, but it snowed yesterday, so toward the end of the day, I decided to take some from the front door, wondering how my new camera would do in low light.

I must have taken this through the window.


I didn't hear how much snow we got, but it came down a bit today.  The highs have been in the single digits, but tomorrow, we could get into the 30s.  By Monday, we are to be back down into the single digits, maybe the coldest day of winter so far.


I experimented with using the zoom, and the flash.  I don't think the flash on my other camera worked outside.


I love the different heights and shapes of the plants.  I've mentioned keeping them over the winter to provide shelter to insects, and seeds for the birds.  Plus, while I get excited seeing bare dirt, the plants look much better to me.




Here are the lovely Illinois bundleflower seed heads looking nice in their snow hats.  The railing looks to have less than an inch of snow.


It sounds like the snow and cold is pretty widespread.  Wherever you are, I hope you are able to be safe and warm.  I'm noticing the days getting longer.  Spring, I hope you come early!

15 comments:

  1. I hope spring comes early, too! It certainly started early and is a difficult one. Stay warm, Sue, and enjoy that fun new camera!

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  2. Food and shelter for the critters!
    Happy New Year!
    Lea

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  3. Lovely winter scenes. I'd love for you to share this post on The Maple Hill Hop next Tuesday. Stay toasty!

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  4. BRRRRR! Better you than me. It is 'chilly' down here in s.e. FL this morning and feels wonderful after the heat we've been having. Low 60's feeling like it's in the 50's is GREAT!

    I enjoy seeing your gardens through all seasons.

    Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  5. Beautiful photos, Sue...I'm glad you braved the cold for us! I agree, seeing the plants standing during winter is so much more visually interesting than nothing...and, as you mentioned, the birds and bugs thank us for it too :-)

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  6. Your garden looks great in winter Sue - lots of structural plants to look at. I need more winter interest in my garden for sure. Most of my plants are so short they are buried under snow. Right now all I can see is a few sticks poking out here and there. Congrats on the new camera and Happy New Year!

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  7. Your garden looks pretty even now, Sue. Hope it gets warmer soon.

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  8. Seems we're getting more snow this year. Good for the garden.

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  9. I enjoyed your winter snow photos Sue. It does have a way of making everything look so pretty. We got a foot of snow here and it is 16 degrees...nice and toasty! Keep warm!

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  10. I hope this new storm passes you by. While the additional snow is always lovely it does not necessarily start that way. All the best to you in 2014 Sue.

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  11. The cold has reached us too. Tonight we are supposed to be near zero and possibly below zero. This is way colder than we usually have.

    I love the dried/dead plants this time of year and the snow makes them even prettier. We are supposed to get around 4 more inches starting today or tomorrow.

    We both need to stay warm!

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  12. Love your background winter picture. Winter gardens are always so peaceful looking. It's kind of like a sleeping child. They're so active when awake and so peaceful when asleep. I like the idea of natural habitat feeding of the birds during the winter months. I'll have to think about how integrate that into my garden plan.

    Spring planting for my big garden is still unknown for next spring. I haven't heard from the EPA about when they will do the testing for lead. If the lead level is above their safe level they will scrape off 12 inches of top soil and replace it with "good top soil". They will even sod the area which I don't need. I'm still hopeful they won't have to do that but neighbors in the area say they scraped many properties already. I just want it over so I can move on.

    Have a great winter garden viewing day.

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  13. I did notice the days getting longer already, but this winter has been pretty bad already. Lots of snow, and lots of cold. The upcoming arctic freeze is pretty scary! Stay warm everyone.

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  14. The funny thing is that its been raining and storms brewing on the tropical side of my region.
    So I guess its not all sunshine for any of us gardeners this time around.
    Stay warm and hope spring springs out fast for your side of the world.
    Have a nice Happy New Year!

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  15. I love the look of dried seedheads covered with snow! I think many of us are in the same boat--we had temps below zero the last two days with even colder windchills so I'm really looking forward to getting above freezing tomorrow:) I've been housebound since Friday, but am going to try to get out today, though the roads are still pretty bad I've heard. I hope spring comes early, too!

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