Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Frost

Since I started this blog a few years ago, I’ve posted a "frost" photo at least once each fall. Here is the one for 2008. It’s been cold enough here for a frost multiple times this year. However, each time it was cold enough, it was also dry, so there wasn’t much to see. This morning, though, the frost was on the grass and fallen leaves and drew my eye as I was leaving the cabin.

I finally had a northern cardinal at the feeders this morning, so I am relieved that they are still around. So far, I’ve only seen one male and not the multiple pairs of last year, but that may well change before the first snow flies.

I’ve also seen what I’ve suspected for some time: I have at least two male red-bellied woodpeckers at the feeders. Today was the first time I saw both at the same time to confirm that there are two.

Roundtop hasn’t yet made any snow, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they began doing that before this week is out. I’ve been working down at the lodge for the past few weekends now doing the usual pre-season work. That always gets me in the mood to see snow on the mountain (and at the cabin!) again. I do have hopes that this year might actually be a real winter here. For the first time in 7-8-9 years, there’s no El Niño or La Niño effect to moderate the weather, so I’m cautiously optimistic that this year might be a good one. I hope so. I’m ready (I hope).

9 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Beautiful picture, Barb... It is COLDER than COLD here this morning (25 degrees)--but no frost.

Roundtop must be like Gatlinburg... They have skiing there, and have to make their own snow much of the time. Lots of people go there to ski. We've been up there at the lodge on the mountain to 'watch.' FUN!!!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Carolyn, I forgot to mention our red-bellied woodpeckers here. I have only seen ONE--and he comes over and over to the feeders throughout the day. I keep thinking there is more than one--but so far, I've only seen one. He certainly does make a big noise when he's around. Yours????

Carolyn H said...

Betsy: Roundtop makes most of its own snow too. It's cold enough in winter to snow, but winter is often a dry season for us, so we often have to make it. Everyone loves the real snow best, though.

Yes, my R-B woodpeckers make a lot of noise!

Carolyn H.

dguzman said...

We've been getting a lot of flurry days, especially lately. In fact, it's snowing right now.

Anonymous said...

Love the frost photo. I would love to have cardinals at my feeder. Love these birds and I get to see them only when I'm visiting somewhere east.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gosh Carolyn... Sorry I called you BARB... I must have just written one of the Barb's on my blog list. DUH---Senior Moment!!! Sorry

Carolyn H said...

Betsy: I've been called a lot worse than Barb!

Dguzman: it's snowing here too, an actual flurry. Not enough for a dusting but a decent flurry.

Kat: I like cardinals, too. Sometimes they're the only spot of color around!

Carolyn H.

Dana and Daisy said...

I worked in the flower beds today. Trying to tidy up before hard winter sets in. Even our hard winters give us a few nice days though when we can work outside.

I may have asked you before, but what agricultural zone are you in?

Anonymous said...

Excellent photo. I woke up to a little snow on the ground.