Beginnings

The sun shone powerfully this weekend, and I spent some time outside basking in it. My, did it feel good. We still have remnants of ice and snow hanging on, clinging to the cold spots where the sun doesn't shine. And while the beauty is undeniable, it will not miss the snow and ice when it's gone.




This weekend marked my first tentative scratchings at the leaf litter and soil. I was looking for signs of new life, and I found what I was looking for. The Helleborus that I planted late last spring has survived the winter and is sending out new flower buds already. I gently pried away the leaves that have covered them over for so many months, and practically squealed with delight to find at least 3 distinctive flower buds.




I put the leaves back in their place. I'm sure the flowers would survive frost and/or a freeze, but they might as well stay protected until they are ready to push through on their own.


I also spied some ivy that I bought last year and left in a spot in the yard, not really knowing where it's final home would be. Well, it established roots where I left it lie and has some nice green growth. There were also plenty of things growing in harmony with the moss, like the basal rosette of this flower that I do not know. Ahhh, knowing that things are growing... it's a good feeling! And this is only the beginning.

Ice: An Intimate Portrait

Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom,
multiplied by millions and frozen -
fused together to create a masterpiece.

Sheets, diamonds, bubbles,
Edgy and fluid, jagged and round -
shape shifter.

Flowing, rippling, dripping -
Pulsing, breathing, living.
Water drops like heart beats.

Thawing and freezing,
Expand and contract.

Inhale.
Exhale.

Up close with the ice

A visit to any of the parks in the Hocking Hills region never fails to fill me with a sense of awe and reverence, no matter what the season. There's magic in them hills, I tell ya. Thus, it was no surprise that I was immediately taken in by the sight and feeling of the gigantic ice formation at Ash Cave.


The vast array of color and texture present within the formation was absolutely mind boggling.






Some images had to be converted into monochrome to really show off the texture.






In addition to the icy star of the show, there were some other nice things that caught my attention. The underground runoff from the ice mountain flows into a rippling creek, partly visible here.


Cone from an Eastern Hemlock


My first species ID puzzle of the year. I was very surprised to look down and see this bug actively walking about on the snow. I actually saw this same type of bug the next day at home, flying about, even. I've tried to identify it using my Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, but no luck yet. I'll keep trying though.


In case you didn't know what you're getting into here, it's icy here!


Don't worry, though, because I came prepared. My winter boots have absolutely NO traction (right Meg?), and I've taken a couple of spills due to this fact. Luckily I have a pair of Yaktrax, which give me great traction on the ice. Caution is still necessary, of course, but I would not have been able to take many of these ice photos without the help of these nifty little helpers.

The temperatures have risen and stayed above freezing for the last several days, so much of the ice and snow around the house and around town has melted. But I'm not done with the ice yet.

To see a special surprise that I found while taking these photos, please visit my photo blog.

Icy Ash Cave

This weekend Dave and I drove up to Ash Cave in the Hocking Hills. We went in hopes of seeing a monstrous ice formation.

Admittedly, this formation is pretty large. But we've seen it even bigger in past years, so we were a teeny bit disappointed.

This little guy next to the ice mound gives you some idea of perspective.

And here's Dave looking up at the falling water that is contributing to this mound.


A good number of folks were out on this fine weekend to enjoy the warmer temperatures and, for the first time in several weeks, no snowfall!

Stay tuned for more images and musings on this icy spectacle.

Glimpses of clear sky (SWF)

During the worst of our recent ice/snow storm, blue sky was a welcome sight in the midst of so much greyness. Even though there was snow and ice everywhere, it all looked kind of dull and washed out due to the cloudy sky.

The sky was actually kind of hard to see through all of the ice and snow-encrusted branches now hanging so low.

Some of the gentle giants in our wooded acres. I was sad to see all my trees so weighted down.

Ahhh, a break in the clouds. Fleeting, but lovely.

This is my first entry to Skywatch Friday. Don't know what Skywatch Friday is? Simply put, it is a place to enjoy Skies and views from all around the globe. But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself. Either click here, or click on the Skywatch Friday badge over in my sidebar at any time to go to the site.

Beauty on ice

The ice storm took down trees and left us without power for days, but it also brought us beauty. All the trees and plants were dazzling and bejeweled, a sight to behold, when the sun shone brightly on Saturday. The ice brought us beauty - lovely colors and patterns, even music as the frozen branches tinkled in the breeze. Sometimes nature leaves me spellbound and breathless.