We had just enough ice last week to give the backyard a very different look, and it was fun to get out and look around. The wire fence around the compost pile was strung with crystal beads that struck me as somewhat ‘arty’.
I found the ice-covered fruit and buds of the red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) quite beautiful.
The nut feeder with its fringe of small icicles reminded me of a crystal chandelier, but the ice didn’t keep our male downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) from feeding as usual.
We’ve experienced ice storms that were destructive and scary. This time we got the beauty without any broken tree limbs or icy roads, and I enjoyed the temporary backyard ‘artwork’.
Wonderful photos as always! Thanks for sharing. Jane
And thank you, Jane. Hope you are staying warm in St. Louis.
Great photos, Betty – particularly like the one of the nutfeeder. I’ve got a downy woodpecker that visits my yard as well, he eats out of the sunflower feeder. By the way – I’ve got a thistle feeder for the finches, but haven’t had any visitors this season. Any suggestions? Maybe I should move it – or maybe the thistle seed I bought is old?
Glad to know you, too, have downy woodpeckers, Kathy. Have never seen one at our sunflower feeder. They often hunt the bark crevices – for insects, I assume. We are not getting any goldfinches at our thistle feeder either. I know they don’t like old or moldy seed and sometimes we see more of them when Harry puts in new seeds.
Beautiful..all of them, but i’m intrigued with the chandelier. Sara
Thanks, Sara. The chandelier seems to be the favorite of the three images.
The ice-decorated backyard photos certainly open
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’s door into my imagination
of Narnia’s winter but nothing could be more perfect than your picture
and identification of the “crystal chandelier” over a bird’s version of
his/her banquet table 🙂
Beth, I love you connecting a Narnia winter, the crystal chandelier, a bird’s banquet table. And the red spot on the head indicates ‘his’ banquet table.
Arty, yes…also reminded me of miniature Christmas decorations.
Yes, Christine, now that you mention it, I, too, can imagine Christmas decorations. Thanks.
Love the lamp shade on the bird feeder!
Glad you like it, Judy. Hadn’t thought about it but it does also resembles a lamp shade with fringe, doesn’t it?
Your artistic eye and quick action gave me, as always, a pause that refreshes. Thanks!
Thanks, Carolyn, for taking time to write and let me know. That in turn, refreshes me.
I immediately thought of a lampshade with the fringe on it, too. Quite beautiful!
Good to hear from you Keli. Whatever we choose to call it, it seems to be this week’s favorite image.
Keli told me all about your site. I am so glad she did, I love the photography I have seen so far and look forward to much much more.
I am off to check out some of your older posts.
Bert’s Vickie
Vickie,delighted that Keli told you of my Kentucky backyard blog and that you’re willing to take a look. I’ve just checked your blog and am quite impressed with your photography. Looks like we’re both interested in four-legged creatures- though most of mine are a big smaller than yours. (smile)