Tag Archives: hoarfrost

First Day of Winter – Officially

“Snow and Frost-covered Meadow”
Heatherwood Winter

Today is the first official day of winter. Winter came much earlier than its official start this year. We had our first dusting of snow in mid-November. Then a week after Thanksgiving we had our first substantial snow fall. We had another significant snow fall in early December. Heatherwood has now been covered with snow for the last three weeks. In addition, the temperatures have been very cold adding hoarfrost to our trees, shrubs, and perennials. It is truly a beautiful winter scene.

The image above is a section of our Heatherwood meadow area. In the spring through fall, the meadow is full of color and various texture. Even in the winter it has shades of gold, orange, and browns with even a little hint of red. We elect not to cut back our perennials to provide this winter interest as well as provide seeds and berries for the wintering birds.

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Winter Wonderland

“Hoarfrost-covered Evergreens”
Heatherwood Winter

The cold temperatures and the early morning fog continue. The result is a hoarfrost covered landscape. It is 2:00P and still only 17 degrees. And, it is forecast to get even colder during the next couple of days.

The hoarfrost accentuates the beauty of the evergreens and deciduous Japanese maples that are still laden with leaves. It is truly a winter wonderland. The weeping white pine in the background watches over the smaller foreground trees. It is time to go take a quick stroll with my camera to create a few more images.

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Brrrr!

“Hoarfrost in the Garden”
Heatherwood Winter

Winter is not officially here yet, but Mother Nature has a mind of her own. This week the high temperatures will remain below freezing. Mid-week is forecast to be in the single digits with the lows dropping down below 0. It is cold! I went out to do a little photography of the beautiful hoar frost on the trees and shrubs. After only a half hour I came back inside because my fingers could no longer operate the camera.

Heatherwood is like a dreamland with a light fog, hoarfrost, and snow-covered ground. We stand at our window and look out over the landscape admiring its beauty. Maybe tomorrow we will bundle up and take a stroll through the snow covering the garden.

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Quite a Change

“Hoar Frost on Redbud”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

When we left for our vacation, Heatherwood was in its fall color prime. When we returned 2 weeks later, most of the leaves on the trees had fallen. The only trees with any appreciable leaves hanging are some October Glory maples, a few oaks, and a Vanessa perrotia.

When we left Palm desert two days ago it was 85 degrees. Yesterday, when we returned home it was a bitter 29 degrees. There was still hoar frost on the trees and other plants at 1:30p. I couldn’t help getting my camera out for a few quick photos of the garden.

As the garden transitions from fall to winter, Heatherwood is still full of color. In addition, the textures of the flowing grasses and the branches of shrubs provide a striking contrast of structure. Berries and fruits remain on our crabapples, viburnums, and hollies. Several evergreens have turned to their bright yellow color as ground covers have turned to their oranges, reds, and burgundies. Heatherwood has been designed for four season interest. A winter stroll wrapped in warm clothes is enticing.

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Art in the Garden

Japanese White Pine

As I walk around our garden, little pieces of art show themselves to me. Most of the time, I am just wandering when they appear. Something makes me stop and look closer. I imagine how I can best treat the gift appropriately. Sometimes they need to be accurately represented with fine detail. Other times they can be converted into an abstract blur. Still other times they are best processed by photoshop manipulation. This time I used a touch of Photoshop and Topaz Degas adjustments to achieve the end results.

I love to walk in our garden and enjoy all the little gifts that are given to me!

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Ouch!

“Hoarfrost Spikes on Japanese Maple”

Hoarfrost is amazing. The small ice crystals build up on each other as the frost forms. Here, the hoarfrost continued to build up over a two day period. The frost looks like multiple sharp spikes on the exposed Japanese maple branches.

I was prepared for a sharp prick when I touched a branch. As soon as I got close the frost melted. No pain!

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Remember It Is Winter…

Hoarfrost on Maple Leaves

The weather continues to be warm. It almost feels like spring. I need to remember that we are just starting the third week of winter. I am sure that the real winter weather is yet to come. So to keep things in perspective, I reflect back several weeks ago when a cold spell hit and we had two days of hoarfrost. It was beautiful but very cold. It was too cold for me to mess around with a tripod, thus my images are not as crisp as I would have liked.

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When You See Red … Shoot, Even on a Cold Day

“Don’t Pass Me By”

Brilliant beauty is everywhere.  This single red maple leaf, edges covered with hoarfrost, made me stop in my tracks.  It was just hanging there waiting for me to discover.  Just a few ice crystals held it captured on the branch.  After taking several photos, I turned around to look for other treasures.  I glanced back, the red was not there.  The leaf had fallen to the ground.

Lesson Learned:  Never pass up a gift!

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Winter is Approaching

Hoarfrost

The leaves have fallen.  A few stragglers remain.  Hoarfrost on the remaining vegetation is a  mild reminder that winter is on its way.  Walking around our yard in the midst of beautiful branches and leaves covered with ice crystals was like walking through a wonderland.  It was a gift from above.

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