Snow Scape

Here are some more snowy pics (all taken from the comfort of inside :p). We're on track to have record snow fall this year...and, technically, winter just started! More (possibly up to 7") is expected tonight. It's a good thing I like snow. Otherwise, you'd be forced to listen to me complaining!

The following pictures and movie were taken December 23.

Ice Storm

Here are some neat pictures from the ice storm last week. While dangerous and destructive, it was also downright beautiful.

Then and Now

This picture was taken on July 7th.And now, as you can see, it is a little different.

Fall....to Winter

Here is a series of photos to get you caught up with happenings in the wilderness. What a difference a month makes. ;)

November 10, 2007
November 22, 2007
December 5, 2007
We've gotten some more snow since these last pics, and it is bitterly cold. So now you are up-to-date! (more or less)

Early Christmas

It seems that as soon as Halloween is over, all of the stores around town would have us think it is Christmas....even though it is actually 2 months away. Well, this Christmas cactus is apparently in on the scam as well. Just look at these blossoms!

Autumn Birches

Top.........to bottom.

Awesome Autumn

Today was a glorious fall day! Here are some updated pictures. The garden has changed a lot since the last pictures!

Beautiful Berries

These lovely berries are known by the easy-to-remember name of Beauty Berries! The latin name is Callicarpa americana. Though not especially edible, they are lovely to look at!

Cool Clouds

Not pics of the garden today, but pics of the sky. As I was driving home from work, I saw these cool clouds. Of course, the pictures didn't capture the colors as they looked, but the shapes are neat. We had a big weather shift this evening as if Mother Nature suddenly realized yes, it is actually mid-October, after all.

Early Autumn Reference

Here are three random pictures of the backyard from the deck. I'll try to take pictures from this spot again as the seasons change, so we can see the progression. These three views look southeast, south and west, respectively.

Critters in the Garden

The first is a large sphinx moth that was hanging out on the west-facing wall of the house. It stayed there all day until I took this picture of it, then it flew away. It clearly wanted to be posted on-line!The next picture is of some swallowtail butterfly caterpillars that are feasting on some dill. They seem to grow as you watch them!

Early Fall Color

A touch of early fall color in the little wilderness. This American coffee bean is one of the early ones to change into its fall colors. A fearless Yorkie in the foreground patrols for rabbits and mourning doves.

Chestnuts

Before they can be roasted over an open fire, they need to "hatch!"

Autumn Asters

Fall starts this weekend, but autumn is already in the air. Here are some asters, an autumn favorite.

Fish Pond

This small fishpond is located on the east side of the house, so it gets a lot of morning sun, but none in the afternoon. We keep a section of chicken wire over it to keep the deer from drinking out of it. In the past, the have drained it! We keep it well stocked with about half a dozen lucky feeder goldfish (the many frog statues appear to do little to discourage the insects from checking it out ;) ). The fish dine on constant supply of bugs, and grow amazingly quickly! I have also seen birds drink at the two limestone splash levels. There is nothing like water too make a garden feel complete!

Roses

Many, many roses in bloom! Unfortunately, the Japanese beetles really like my favorite, the Mainzer Fastnacht (the light purple one; pronounced: mine-zer fass-e-nacht). I wish this had option of including smell with the posts. There is no nicer smell than that of the Fastnacht!

Morning Glories

These beautiful flowers like to climb.

Not-so-hardy Hibiscus

Along with the hardy hibiscus posted a few days ago, we have some of the tropical variety. This is a rather neat potted hibiscus that is actually a woven "tree" of three varieties that bloom red, yellow and pink. In this picture, I tried to catch all three colors. This one needs to come in every winter, of course.

An Influx of Phlox

Due to my woefully deficient posting lately, here is an infusion of phlox! All are currently blooming in the garden.