In The Dead of Winter

Pods

These mysterious pods were hanging along a vine back in the woods near the river in Ohio.  The river was much closer than usual after all the rain and "Deer Valley" was underwater.  I'm not sure what animal or vegetable these are from but my guess is an invasive plant since they were on a vine and I've never seen them before.  This is the kind of thing that makes me want a macro lens.

After The Rain

Irruption

For my 43rd birthday I finally got my close up photo of a Snowy Owl.  Olivia worked hard all day to make it happen.  It was so nice to come home from work to a lovely dinner and a beautiful cake!

A Break in the Rain

Usually I spend a great deal of my time in Ohio outside.  But this visit was full of so much rain, and not really the kind that inspires me to get out there anyway.  More the unrelenting, eww that looks horrible kind of rain.  But it did finally let up for a few moments on Sunday. 

Winter Wonderland

More from the winter wonderland behind our home.  It's magical to wander in these spaces that are impassible in summer, places where small and large creatures spend their days hidden from view.  It's even more magical to do this while the tics are all frozen and unlikely to attach themselves to innocent passersby. 

Small Secrets

Slendid Beauty

Additional examples of Winter's splendid beauty.  It's amazing how little I mind the cold on a day like this.  Although I will admit to having discovered "Hand Warmers" which, in a pinch, can also be shoved into a leaky boot to keep your toes from freezing.  This, however, cannot be done without some level of discomfort.  My wish from Santa...new boots.

Bark

Winter may really be my favorite season.  Olivia and I discussed our preferences for the holidays nearest our birthdays, Halloween and Christmas respectively, and perhaps it's the same for seasons.  Winter, who at a distance can seem so homogenous, is actually rife with complex variety.  So far this has been a beautiful winter which I love regardless of the inconvenience of driving in the snow.

A Little Pink

Birding Project Begins

I mentioned earlier that I've begun my year long birding project.  It's essentially an artistic marathon as it took me 4 hours to render this image of a Song Sparrow and I need to render 20 more before my walk next week.  Hmm.  So there are some details to iron out but its exciting to begin something I've been writing and thinking about for so long.

Also Not a Bird

This is also not a bird but how can anyone resist a...4??...seems to be 1 on one side and 3 on the other...point buck leaping through a snowy wood.  Not me obviously.

In the Snow

Today I kicked off my birding project at Heinz.  I'll be creating visual "lists" based upon weekly walks throughout the year.  It's a project I've been planning for months and I think its ready to get off the ground.  I have the equipment, access, and skill, sort of.  Step one is to walk the refuge collecting data (ie photos of birds) which I happily did.  Not that I'm showing you any photos of birds because besides the birds (20 species for week 1) there were all kinds of lovely things covered in snow.  And I do love to take photos of plants in the snow.

Snow

We are having our second snowfall of the season.  No photos from the first storm as I was stuck at work and with my 2 hour (normally 15min) drive home I didn't get home until after dark.  But today I'm back in my happy place, wandering around taking photos of the snow.

Expression

I think this pretty well sums up how I feel about the weather lately.  It's hard to appreciate the warm temperatures when it's so grey and rainy. 

Seal Baby

Studio

Since I started working at the bank in the Spring my schedule has been unmanageable.  I never quite feel like I'm getting anything done.  Like I'm out of touch.  Yesterday, for example, I planned to get lunch at my favorite sandwich shop.  It closed.  In August.  So anyway my studio time has felt just as sporadic as my blog time.  Yesterday it felt like it all finally came together.  Like I'm on to something.  I  took this shot with my kindle so it's rough but I think it fits with the piece.

Bartram's Garden

Just a little bit of the texture and color of this very urban garden.  I came here to search for the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, which I found, and didn't have the opportunity to explore the garden thoroughly.  It will definitely be worth another visit.