More Winter Wildflowers

More winter wildflowers from earlier this week.  Above is a Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan).  To the left are Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master).  And below are Rumex crispus (Curly Dock).

Enjoy!

~ Robin   

Winter Wildflowers

Many wildflowers keep some beauty in winter.  Above is Monarda Fistulosa (Wild Bergamot).  The  Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant) flower to the right is nearly gone, but still has some semblance of her former bloom.  And the Parthenium Integrifolium (Wild Quinine) below displays an interesting texture when dried.  She is on the state endangered species list.  Many of these have been picked over to some extent by birds wintering nearby.

Enjoy!

~ Robin 

Winter Bridge

There are two bridges at the park.  Lichen has started to grow on it.  Snow still covers the middle path across them.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Muskrats Back

I was beginning to wonder about these guys.  Unlike beaver, who store food for the winter, Muskrats have to forage for food through the winter.   

But today, two couples were flirting along the creek.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Elegant Ending?

Snow melted some and refroze, leaving ice chunks on trees and dried weeds.  Pea-sized tree 'hail' fell on those of us braving the creek path today.  But the fall-out created lace-like patterns on the melting snow below.   Temperatures are expected to hit 60F on Sunday - could this be an elegant ending for winter in Minnesota?   


Could be ...

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Winter Damage - "Freezer Burn"

This winter has been more harsh than others.  One can see it on the red tinged pines.  The red pine needles are a sign of winter injury.  Most trees survive this without much real damage.  I'm not sure if this is true for the pine near the first bridge.

I could not find green among the thinned red.  The lichen are doing better on her branches than needles or buds. 

Time will tell.

Enjoy the warming temperatures!

~ Robin 

How Deep?

Finally a day with temperatures warm enough to get out to the park.  But then I ran into a different problem.  The need to have snow shoes.  The winter snowfall has been accumulating and the depth may depend on where you look.  Above and to the side is the bus bench on Boone.

If you ask the green dinosaur at the park, I think he would say neck deep.

At the baseball field ... top spectator bleacher seat deep.

Spring might be awhile in coming.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Curiosity on the Creek

Near the far east bridge over the creek, on the creek, in the middle of the creek, is a curious site.  Where did it come from?  Who put it there?  Why is it there?  There must be a story behind it, but I don't know what it is.  It is fun to imagine.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Adult Sleepers

Milberts Tortoiseshell

Mourning Cloak

What happens to butterflies in winter?  Not an easy question to answer.  Different butterflies winter differently.  The butterflies on this page are currently sleeping as adults somewhere near the park.


Butterflies that winter as adults in Minnesota include:

Question Mark

Eastern Comma

Mourning Cloak, 
Grey Comma,  
Eastern Comma,
Question Mark,
Compton Totoiseshell,
Milberts Tortoiseshell. 




Enjoy!

~ Robin

Icy Outlet

Temperatures will not get above freezing today.   Icicles are forming at the lake outlet.  Temperatures don't look to be above freezing for several days.  For those of us in denial, (like me) winter is at the door, and she is not going away anytime soon!

Stay warm and enjoy!

~ Robin

Morning Snow Glory

Evening snow looked lovely in the morning light.  It didn't take long for nearly all of it to melt.  The buds are swelling even with the bi-seasonal days.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Warmer Wintery Mix

Melting has made the snow slushy and the lake outlet water level rise.  The white below the fall is foam.

Travel carefully in Friday's wintery mix.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Holding On ...

After yesterday's warm-up, winter has made it clear: "it ain't over yet!"  Saturn is expected to lay a fresh coat of 6 to 8 inches of snow.

Winter Weakens

As days lengthen and temperatures begin to venture above freezing bit by bit, winter is starting to give way.  Her icy grip is still there, but weaker.

Be watchful of the icy patches out there.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Sumac Snack

Someone ...
Not saying who...
Has been snacking on a big patch of sumac.

Enjoy!
(They certainly did.)

~ Robin

Winter Tree-Scapes

Dead trees, upon closer inspection, make fascinating landscapes.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Warm Colors of Winter

Temperatures were warmer today, reaching above freezing.  On the gravel road the freshly melted snow uncovered a small chip of bright orange agate.


Some of the berries of a wildflower have kept their red.

The berries near the pavilion have been covered with ice that melted off the roof.  Their red is well preserved.

Enjoy the temporary warmth,

~ Robin

Cold Keister

Many of the benches at the park still have an icy covering.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Icy Outlet

The lake has been iced over for awhile.  Yet, water still flows at the outlet.  Click on photo to enlarge.

Enjoy!

~ Robin Clifton

Gentle

Gently day.  Gentle evening.

Enjoy!

~ Robin