Down by the Riverside

 I took a walk along a river trail and found some more snowy delights.

Snow had fallen on these grapes and created a frozen beaded necklace.

 

The river is just over the bank from the spruce above. I love the way the branches are covered with a snowy blanket.

That snowy spruce is just on the right of the picture above. I particularly like how the falling snow contrasts with the dark water of the river.

Snow covered branches, roots and fallen trees that jut into the river are striking against the rippling current. 

It's always so peaceful to listen to the flowing water on a quiet, snowy day. 

 

Barking Mad

Sometimes, I get completely captivated by the patterns driven snow creates on bark and thorn and vine and branch.

It's like intricate lacework adorning the bare trees of winter.

Then, there are grapevines peeking through the snow, defiantly winding their way toward the sky.

Fierce barbs on this thorn apple keep their watch through winter's storms.

And the snow adorns this young tree like a ballerina's costume. Look at it just right and you will see the gracefully extended upper branches, like arms and the lifted lower branch in an arboreal arabesque.

Yes, I let my imagination run away with me again, but that's what it's for, right? 

Not only that, but it's Groundhog Day - the day midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, when the days start getting longer faster.  It's a day I always celebrate with joy and some degree of giddiness. *dancing among the trees*

Winter Gold

Yes, yes. More winter birds. I know. But that's what there is to see at the moment. Lots of snow and sweet birds (well, and a few bunnies and deer that have only been coming around when it's too dark to photograph them).

I loved the evening grosbeak in the picture above. That straight-on earnest look just makes me smile. They usually don't hang around all winter, but this year there is a little flock that decided to tough it out. They look like giant goldfinches with only slightly different markings (and bigger beaks).

Of course , the goldfinches are always a treat. Their songs are funny this time of year - they sound like they're asking questions. Tweet?  Twee?

This is the same bird as above, but I liked the way he turned his head to watch what I was doing. The puffed out feathers make him look so much bigger than his actual size. Sometimes they snuggle those downy breast feathers right down over their feet to try and keep their toes warm. I completely understand - it's cold out there today!
 

Bright Birds in Snow

Watching birds enjoy snacks at the feeders is a favorite winter pastime for my family.  Our parents taught us well! The bright feathers and energetic antics are always a welcome entertainment.  

Suet is particularly attractive to the pilelated woodpeckers and getting to watch these large, almost prehistoric looking birds is always a treat. Their laughing call makes me smile. While mostly black and white, the bright red crests (and cheek lines on the males), not to mention the their size make these birds eye catching (even if they can be hard on the siding of the house from time to time...).

The cardinal above waited for an opening at one of the feeders and swooped in a moment later to get a late afternoon snack. I thought the bright spot of red against the dark green of the cedars and the white of the snow was quite striking. I can see another possible carving inspiration here, too!

In the Bleak Midwinter

There always seems to be something to add a little color and brightness to the chilly days of winter.  I sometimes wonder whether the brilliant white of the snow isn't meant to temper the bleakness of the seemingly endless gray of winter skies.

Snow covered fields and woods are beautiful in their own stark way, showing the bones of the land and dazzling the eye with their quiet glittering. Then, a flash of color that went unnoticed before the snow fell, since it blended too well with the grays and browns of tree bark and bare branches, dazzles the eye with a different kind of beauty peeking out of a snowy blanket.

Tiny crab apples suddenly look like holiday lights that almost glow against the snowy backdrop. The movement of birds among the branches, displacing bits of snow proves that the world is not completely wrapped in a blanket of sleep.

My parents planted a number of these crab apple trees out in the woods as food for birds and other creatures in the winter. Some years the apples are gold and some years they are red - and on occasion, they are both on different parts of the trees. We often see grouse and other fruit-loving birds enjoying these miniature apples in the winter months. And, of course, they are covered in glorious blossoms when spring comes! 

We don't know what variety of crab apple these are, and we'd love to plant a few more for our woodland friends to enjoy. So, if you're familiar with what they might be, let me know!

Sounds of Spring??

Strangely enough, in the midst of snow and January chill, the chickadees are singing their spring songs.  As I have said many times before, they have amazingly indomitable little spirits!

I fully expect one of these poses to end up in a carving at some point. They are both so very "chickadee". This particular branch is a favorite perch for incoming diners.

 

They are waiting to swoop in for a peanut and looking for the perfect opening. A peanut in the hand will draw a chickadee out of the bush - or tree.... :)

More January Blues

  Yes, still birds, but bluejays this time!

These are more of the candid trail camera pictures taken after the big snowstorm. Once the doves have had their early morning snacks, the bluejay contingent arrives to partake of the  bounty (along with a couple of cardinals in the picture above).  And yes, I'm still always looking for good in-flight pictures.

The bluejays were busy enough to provide quite a few action shots. The fellow in the back is impressive against the wooded background and the one in the foreground just makes me smile with the slightly awkward lift-off.

In the picture above, the bluejays were startled by something and all took to the air while the dove and evening grosbeak just watched the excitement without getting ruffled about it. The trail cam captured some really good flight action in this shot!

One of the reasons I like the action pictures so much is that I am continually looking for carving inspiration, so getting to study how the birds take off and land (or how critters run or climb) is a help when I'm designing something new to carve.

I thought this one was particularly good. I love the curve of the wing in the foreground and the fully fanned tail. (There's also a cardinal in flight at center right, if you look for the little spot of red.)

Here's another picture that makes me grin. It's an especially stylish landing, don't you think? It reminds me of a dance move. There's another bluejay flying in at the top right corner of the photo, just in case you were still distracted by the dancer.

I'm hoping I might have a decent idea for another winter scene and I want to put a bluejay in flight somewhere in the image. I'm thinking of either multiple blocks or a reduction print in blue, gray and black. We'll see what I come up with -- and how it turns out. :)