““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!””
Psalm 46:10 ESV
I was ready to move on from the “winter garden” theme after kinda hanging with that idea for a couple of weeks, but then this happened, freezing fog. It has always been a mystery to me how fog can exist and float around in the air while it is 25 degrees. I’ve read about what occurs and why the droplets don’t freeze until contacting a surface, but it is still puzzling to me. It is pretty but can be dangerous as well!
The nandina almost looks like a painting. I think it’s more interesting with the frozen feature than it is otherwise. It would be nice to have warm weather, but maintain the neat leaf fringe.
Our trees were dazzling in the sunlight as the fog faded away. Such a different texture and appearance than snow!
This former chaste tree bloom was once a magnet for bees and butterflies. It doesn’t seem as if that was very long ago. Time flies when you’re having fun!
Our first visit this winter, to our knowledge at least, of a migratory Ruby-crowned Kinglet. This nervous little bird flits around and is always moving about. They constantly flick their wings and the ruby crown is usually hard to see. This male sat still just long enough to provide a great pose. If he wanted to hide his crown, he failed to do so! I’m sure you notice the snow…some shady spots had snow until Friday, hanging on about a week.
A red oak leaf that had fallen in a large flower pot left a lasting impression in the snow. I spotted this several days after the snow. The way the snow melted and formed an outline around the leaf just deserved a photo in my opinion. Another interesting phenomenon to me, but Pam says I tend to find a lot of strange things interesting!
This pork chop on polenta with onion, potatoes, and spinach, plus an awesome sauce was not only an interesting phenomenon, but a very tasty one. A trip to Birmingham last week “required” a stop at one of our favorite places to dine, second only to eating at home. The best is found at our place near Turkeytown, I just keep that one a secret so it doesn’t become overcrowded!
I do have another sky photo but don’t fret, this one will not require a tremendous amount of study. I trust you can see the quill that Benjamin Franklin used when he signed the Declaration of Independence? Actually there are two, I think Ben used the larger one on the left!
When the snow was mostly gone and the sun provided a little warmth (mid 40’s) I decided to head back to the river to a spot I hadn’t been to since late summer or early autumn. It is Bald Eagle nesting month in our area and I wanted to see if I might be fortunate enough to see a bird soaring or fishing. I popped over a hill along the way and was greeted by another trail user. After a two minute staring match, I won out and she showed her white flag and left!
Moving on down the fence line and into a pasture that was mowed late in the season provided a clear view of Lookout Mountain and our Appalachian foothills. Things look so incredibly different in January. In the growing season this becomes head high and you have to pick your way through!
You may have seen my post a few months back where I had discovered several black walnut trees that were absolutely loaded with nuts. There were so many that limbs were sagging. I had never seen such an abundance. I walked under one of those trees on this trek and walnuts were so thick on the ground it was almost impossible to take a step without stepping on one. I wonder what value these would have now or what could they be used for? Maybe I should go back with a few buckets and do some walnut gathering!
I finally arrived at one of the logs along the river where I sometimes take a break. Again, everything opens up in the winter. I sat for a while, watching for eagles, but no action. I was about to give up and head home when…
…this landed almost directly above me. A red-headed woodpecker stayed with me just long enough for one photo. I see other woodpeckers more often than the red head so I was really glad I had stayed on the log a while. The red head catches insects in flight and also eats nuts, fruit, even mice and other bird eggs, being not so much of an excavator of holes in trees like most woodpeckers!
Folks that don’t have the opportunity to spend time in the woods (or don’t care to) may not realize how much dead-fall and dead trees are likely to be in every wooded area. It is very natural but can be very dangerous as well, especially in the winter when all the deciduous trees are without leaves. I try to be conscious of dead trees when picking a spot to rest, camp, or for any activity in the woods, especially if it is windy. I happened to notice this tree that wasn’t too far from my log. At first glance it looked like the other trees, but it is very dead and will fall one of these days, probably soon. I’ll have to keep this in mind when considering sitting on that log!
Having enjoyed a short visit in a quiet spot near the river and seeing a red-headed woodpecker, it was time to start home. Ella Mae was visiting her PJ so I had two girls at the house I needed to see. As I stood to leave, the woodpecker returned for a brief moment so I took a couple more photos. I apologize if this appears a little out of focus but he was in a hurry so you take what they give you. That’s the way with wildlife. I did not realize until I looked at my pics later that this was not the return of the red-headed woodpecker to the same tree, but was in fact a yellow-bellied sapsucker. The sapsucker is only found in Alabama in winter and is our only woodpecker that does not breed here! Sitting on the log paid off I guess.
This oak has no leaves in January to display as ornaments, but it does have a large noticeable tree topper. A mistletoe tree topper.
My grandfather didn’t have access to instant weather forecast, radar and all the things we now have right on our phones. He only had a radio with a lot of static and long range forecasts weren’t very “long range”. He always said the coming of the blackbirds in droves meant a change in weather was soon to come. I remember as a kid watching long, seemingly endless strings of blackbirds crossing the sky. There were thousands traveling together. I always wondered how they had enough to eat, being so many in one place. I still wonder about that. There were several thousand in our yard and fields Friday. The weatherman says our temps will fall below freezing today, and may not rise above freezing until Thursday. Maybe my grandfather knew something? Seems like we would see those birds and in a few days it would be very cold!
Another very colorful January sunset as seen from the Sunshine Cottage porch!
We wish you a peaceful and pleasant week!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV)
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
What a beautiful walk, and something wonderful to come home to as well. I love the frosty photos of edge-tinted leaves and the pine. And lucky you with a red-headed woodpecker! That makes a walk extra special. A happy week to you both!
Thank you Jeanie. Taking long walks usually provides some interesting things. We have a very bitter cold week ahead so getting out will be a challenge. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Oh, I am with you on the interesting things to photograph. I’ve only seen one kinglet and it was a golden crowned one. The ruby is beautiful. So fun to imagine the quills in the sunset sky.
Thank you Carole. I don’t think I’ve seen a golden crowned kinglet but have read about them. It’s going to be so cold this week I may only view things that can be seen from the windows. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Especially enjoyed the cloud quill pens ! The mistletoe was interesting as we don’t recognize it if it’s in our area .
Thank you JoAnn. I didn’t realize it for a long time but the mistletoe that grows here does not grow in a lot of states/places, especially west and northwest. I always thought of it as being everywhere. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Butch, your the best. Always look
forward to your posts. Love PJ’s
comment that you always find
something interesting. You do!
And so do I in your posts!
Thank you Nancy. You come to my defense. I guess there’s a fine line between interesting thoughts and weird thoughts. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
The freezing fog is amazing! Love the quills in the sky, and the brilliant blue sky in several of your photos Butch. Pam is right, you do find interest in the littlest things, and that makes your walks so much fun. Love all the pretty bird captures. Keep warm this week, it sounds like it’s going to be extra frigid~ crazy that yesterday was 65 and sunny and this morning the wind chill here is 26! Stay cozy Pam and Butch!
Thank you Jenna. It does look like a good week to stay indoors. And maybe more snow, mainly south of us, even down along the coast. That is crazy weather. Yesterday was a spoiler. I mowed and did some weed trimming if you can believe that. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I woke up to minus 9 and an hour expected high of 19. Winter is upon us. Oh I forgot to say we have 6 inches of snow. It’s too slippery to go to the mailbox so I might stretch my will and get in the car and drive the few feet to get the mail. I would have called myself chicken in younger years but these days I’m not looking for broken bones. Butch I’d love to have a bucket of those black walnuts. Mama made the most delicious black walnut cake. I’d like to make this cake again because I had worked to get the meat from the shell. That’s long hard work. My friend who is 84 has walnuts frozen in her freezer that her mother had frozen and she just made a black walnut Bacardi rum cake for her husbands 87th birthday and invited me to enjoy a slice. It was delicious! Does that do anything to you?
Thank you Alice. I brought a walnut home in my pocket. I think I’ll test it and see how much trouble it is to get to the meat before I walk a half mile to gather any in the very cold air. We will probably get 9 degrees Tuesday night but not minus 9. Thinking about that cake you mentioned might cause me to attempt the walnuts. Stay warm and have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
The effects of the frozen fog is so fascinating! It gives a bearded affect on everything it seems. The walk through the woods is always interesting. We saw a huge number of blackbirds Friday, so your grandfather was correct! It has gotten colder and it’s only beginning! Brr!! Stay warm! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. Bearded is a good way to describe the frozen fog. Our huge number of blackbirds left yesterday so they were aware of the forecast. You are probably a little colder there in TN than we are here. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I share your fascination with the bearded visions wrought by icy cold. Only nature seems capable
of recreating herself to suit the season. I saw BF’s quills and then the fringe-wearing clouds in the
sunset. All that and the frozen mist and I could surmise Who was wielding the brush. Thank you
for giving a name to the beautiful birds you spy….a real treat, as well as that tempting dish at
the ??? mystery restaurant. We are getting ready to honker down for a long Winter’s “nap” in the
midst of a frigid forecast, well fortified with all things hot and comforting. Be warm, safe and blessed.
Thank you Mary. God’s creation never ceases to amaze. It’s snowing here this morning and the deep freeze is coming, yet I found an aster bloom yesterday. I may show that little resilient bloom next week. We do have a pantry that surely has some things like cocoa which will be put to use this week. Not able to get to Bottega Cafe’ this week, we will remain at my favorite restaurant, home. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
PS A friend gave us two beautiful cashmere scarves that will provide warmth this week!
What a beautiful walk. Love your little friend the Woodpecker. Hope you guys warm up soon.
We are only 4 degrees this morning. At least the sun is out that helps. Have a beautiful new week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. I was out yesterday and saw another type woodpecker out back. I think of the 9 species of woodpecker we have in the state, I have seen 5 of them the last few days. At 4 degrees though, I would need them to drop by just outside the window. Sunshine does make it seem warmer and helps my feelings. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I have never heard of Turkeytown. We enjoy good restaurants. Went to The Club this week for lunch but the food wasn’t that special. I guess you go for that view of Birmingham.
Thank you Kay. We don’t have fine restaurants in Turkeytown but it is a real place. We are never disappointed with the food in Birmingham at Bottega or Chez Fonfon. We hope you have a great week and stay warm!
Butch and Pam
Thank you again for a beautiful walk and lovely birds. I love birds and enjoy the excitement of seeing those that are not frequent visitors to my Secret Garden. However, I am usually not armed with the right photo equipment to get beautiful shots (like yours) but I get to look at them for as long as they allow. I watched mockingbirds, blue jays and turtle doves the other day and I have to admit I am a bit happy there are not many sparrows near my home…even though they remind me of the Bible verse and the song…..”His eye is on the Sparrow…” (they seem to be plentiful near fast food places) and like you…the Captain and I prefer the food at our home though a meal out every now and then is usually welcomed. I did see the feather quills and love your imagination which I’m sure is shared by Pam. Hugs and much love to you both from Sunny, yet a bit cooler, Florida.
Thank you Kari. We too would rather eat at home than anywhere but an occasional good meal out is a nice treat. The birds are really active today with this cold air settling in. The upcoming weather is strange, not much snow coming for us but a lot predicted for south Alabama and even possible in the Florida panhandle. You are far enough south to escape that but the folks in places like Mobile may get a decent snow. Very rare for sure. All the little birds like wrens, finches, sparrows and the like are hard for me to identify, looking so similar. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Love seeing the frosted leaves. Winter can be cold and brutal. The blue skies are always amazing. Love taking walks around our property. The wildlife is always here. Stay warm and cozy this winter.
Thank you Linda. Our winters are generally not too bad. This is an unusually cold week. Pam shared with me where you live, such a beautiful area. We hope to keep warm and we wish you a good week!
Butch and Pam
Butch, I bet when you were a little kid, you always won the “I Spy” game! Is frozen fog the same thing as hoar frost? It certainly is beautiful. I always think about falling trees and limbs if I got outside when it is really windy, like right now bringing in that arctic front. Now that the leaves are down, we can really see how many trees came down in Helene. You spotted some beautiful birds this week!
Thank you Roxanne. Funny you mention “I spy”. The grands love to play that, I thought it went out years ago but apparently not. It’s hard to tell the difference but if I understand it hoar frost forms under different conditions and probably looks more feathery and delicate. I’m not claiming to know much about it except it makes for a pretty scene. I think frozen fog is maybe like what they call rime ice?? So many trees will be down naturally so I can’t imagine how it is after Helene, and much more obvious in the winter. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Hello Folks! The frosty, fog garden was beautiful to see. It seems the whole nation is cold. We are at 34 degrees this morning and will warm up to 60. Its winter in the desert.
I saw the quills. That was a wonderful sighting. And the sunset from Sunshine Cottage was a treat. Thank you!
Stay warm while you are out and about. Bundle up!
Enjoy your week!
Thank you Nancy. 60 sounds very nice. We made it to 29 today and the gulf coast is expecting snow tomorrow of all things. We will have single digits Tuesday night but no precipitation here. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
What a feast of frozenness, Butch! These stunning captures tell the story of the beautiful transitions in nature–coupled with the danger (I took a walk in the woods during our last snow and was very careful about falling dead limbs). I “caught” a woodpecker and a few birds. I love the Kinglet, deer, and Jefferson’s quill! Your words, wisdom, and verses always start my weeks in an amazing way! I’m already drinking my tea as I “view” your colorful January sunset from the porch.
I made it back from Kansas City (brrrr) a bit early–my body and bones were very achy. It was time to retreat to home much earlier than expected so I could rest.
Each day I pray for all of you and Pam’s Daddy. I hope Ellla Mae and Pam had the best visit, too. I took Finley with me to Kansas City and she met a new rescue dog, Millie Mae (my son, DIL, and granddaughter rescued her). Finley, being only 5 lbs, didn’t warm up to big chocolate lab Millie. But today we have stayed nice and warm at home.
God bless the Richardson’s. Thank you for making the world brighter!
Thank you Karla. It’s so cold here we aren’t getting out so much and it’s probably much colder where you are. Ella Mae and Pam had the best time and Emma comes to visit on Tuesday. Their tea will likely be in the form of hot chocolate. Thanks for your prayers and we certainly pray for you. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Thank you for explaining about fog when the temp is below freezing. We were wondering about that just yesterday on our way home from church. Our hillsides were shrouded in fog, yet the temps were in the teens, I think. Your photos of freezing fog on plants and trees are mesmerizing–a category of beauty we aren’t privileged to see very often!
Thank you Nancy. That freezing fog is rare but seems we do have it at least once or twice every winter these last few years. It’s always been a puzzling phenomenon to me. I just figure if it’s that cold water can’t be just hanging around as fog, but that’s not the case. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
What a beautiful stroll it was in your area. You have the prettiest birds that I don’t see around here. I had a woodpecker visiting my feeder but he’s not nearly as striking as yours. Thank you for sharing the winter beauty.
Thank you Kitty. With the weather so bitter here this week, we may have to stay in and be bird watchers out the window for the next few days. White pelicans are usually around in January so I dropped by the lake to check. The wind chill was about 15 degrees and with no pelicans in sight, I shortened my stay. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my goodness – it sounds like you have had your fair share of unusual weather down there! I’ve never heard of freezing fog but the pictures are so pretty. Such a brilliant blue sky in some of the photos. Love all the woodpecker shots you were able to capture and the sunset shot is gorgeous! Hard to believe that those walnuts could make something tasty. Stay warm and cozy and have a wonderful week!
Thanks Kim. The walnuts don’t look very appetizing lying around on the ground. And the weather today is very unusual. We have no snow in NE Alabama but probably 8F or 9F tonight here while south Alabama and N Florida including the coast and beaches are covered with a lot of snow. I read one city had a record amount, breaking the record of 130 years. A lot of younger people down there have probably never even seen snow. We wish you a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful walk and imagery once again, Butch – thank you!
Thank you Rita. Hope you’re thawing out a little. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
Mother Nature provides the photographer so many gifts if one takes the time to be in it! Thanks for being in it and capturing your journey!
Thank you Mary. It’s been so cold this week I admit I haven’t been in it too much. Hope to get out some tomorrow. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
Your sunset photos are always so interesting! It’s hard to believe spring will soon arrive. I have never seen time go as quickly as it does now. The seasons come and go like a blur!
Time does go by swiftly as we get older. Thank you, Cheryl!