The Reality of Winter (7 photos)

A sudden snow storm hit Sunday night. As often the case in our area, we’re having literal snow day as the rain and melt has started. I thought I should get some photographs while I could.

The deer came by to see what they could find under the bird feeder

The snow dressed up our road a bit

A corner of the garden

It was a very heavy snow, turning our ferns into fern igloos


When Life Gives You Lemons . . .

Not quite that expression, more like – When life gives you rain storms, collect rain water.

It is hard to believe that just three months ago we were just coming through one of our hottest and driest Summers. Though our well held up we did ration our water and the garden suffered for it. One thing that helped is this water collection system at the back of my shop. Each barrel is 50 gallons so the 300 gallons can be stretched quite a way. I have a 12 volt solar powered pump so I can sprinkle the surrounding garden. Throughout the property we have collection for another 1500 gallons. Still not enough but it’s a start.

Oak and Rain

We don’t have oak trees in our area but a number of years ago I found an eight inch oak seedling growing by the side of our road. I transplanted it and it is now ten feet high. It is the last tree to fully drop its leaves each Fall. Its foliage is always interesting – whether it is the colour or texture

Winter Promise

We’re looking forward to our witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) blooming in the next couple of weeks. It fills the yard with its beautiful smell and it is a pleasure to see its yellow flowers all winter.

Drying Out

In the past couple of days we have had close to 8 inches of rain. Very uncomfortable for deer and people!
Fortunately the sun came out today and this young doe took some time out to dry out.