Frozen February

The past few days have been filled with the most beautiful special effects winter can offer. We have been dazzled with  ice-encased branches, fluffy snow, hoar frost,, fog, dazzling sunshine on glittering snow.

Sadly, my camera is broken  - a replacement on the way! - so I had to resort to my cell phone camera, but it did a surprisingly good job capturing the loveliness.

Feathery hoarfrost.

Frost-tipped Eeyore.

And Courgett

e.

Probably more snow photos than you wish to see, especially if you live in Minnesota. But we are forecast for melting temperatures the next four days, so it 's going to get kind of slushy and ugly out there.

Icey, Dicey

Yesterday afternoon, freezing rain began and continued through the night. The roads were so slippery, my car slid past the driveway and down the hill three times before I finally was able to make it in. All evening I watched cars slide backwards and sideways down the slope, and tried to assist one driver getting his pickup out of the ditch (alas, it is still there.)
This morning, we found a huge branch had broken from one of the large maple flanking the barn stage. There may be a bit less shade next summer.

It is amazing we did not lose power--ice covered branches were resting atop the power lines.

Last night chores were quite a challenge--even with  yaxtrax I was slipping and sliding all over the place, as were the chickens and ducks, which would be more amusing if I wasn't so worried about  crashing to the ground.

This morning the ice was a bit softer with a crusty layer of  snow, so it was much easier to get around. After feeding everyone, I went for a walk around the farm with my camera.

The ice is now beginning to melt, but early this morning the wild birds had a hard time landing on the feeder perches. I saw a sparrow try to land on an ice-coated branch and slide down it like a kid on a stairway banister.

Wild cranberries.

Bird nest in a buckthorn.

Somebody walked across the pond --raccoon?

A few days ago I went through all the squashes in the basement "root cellar"and threw a bunch that were deteriorating out into the woods for wildlife. (Don't worry, I used the best parts to make a gigantic pot of squash soup. The cows and chickens got their share, too.)

Snow At Last!

Wordless Wednesday: First Snowfall