This morning, a beautiful Northern Harrier came by and sat on our garden fence for a while.
The colder weather seems to have brought it closer to the birds in our garden.
Sensitive to the slightest movement, it flew off just after I had taken these pictures.
Two nights ago we had an ice storm: all night long we could here the ice falling against the siding and windows, and, in the morning, they were covered with a sheet of ice.
Tomorrow, the year turns.
Nicholas
Last night and today, we have been blessed with a spectacular full moon!
Hanging over our fields and home it has been a beautiful sight.
Once again, I am reminded of the astonishing balance between light and darkness...
between horizon and zenith:
Here at the turning point of the year, this brightness blesses everything.
Nicholas
We've had some gorgeous sunsets the last few weeks, almost impossible to capture in just a few photographs...
Meanwhile, here is a tribute to the last of the leaves at Dryden Lake a few weeks ago, before the frosts...
Nicholas
I spotted a Monarch butterfly feeding at the end of our garden two days ago.. we had planted some Milkweed Aesculapius plants which it finds irresistible.
But, sadly, I've only seen about three or four of these butterflies this year... lets hope the population recovers.
Nicholas
This morning I spotted a kettle of hawks soaring over the fields between us and Dryden Lake. They are red-tailed hawks, flapping occasionally, but mostly just soaring round and round above the landscape. There were at least ten birds today.
We have now purchased some additional land to increase the size of our garden. Next year we plan to build a 24 foot labrynth! Pictures to come.
Meanwhile, here are some gorgeous flowers from this season.
The white iris was most unusual at this time of the year! Its delicate petals lasted a full week.
Nicholas
It is hard to imagine that six months ago the garden and surroundings were buried under at last three feet of hard snow!
But now the garden beds are at their best and it all looks glorious.
We are planning to expand the garden a little soon... pushing out the fencing on the right to create a sanctuary, where, next year, we hope to build a labyrinth!
Nicholas
Our stand of Iris plants has blossomed, adding gorgeous notes of yellow, orange, purple and bronze to the garden.
As if by way of synchronicity, a Baltimore Oriole flew by and sat in the cherry tree for a while... a stunning display of orange against the sky.
Its fabulous to see color return like this after so many months of white and brown.
Nicholas
Wild turkeys have been strutting about across the field: the males fanning their feathers like peacocks and the female seeming to ignore them!
The fields and forests are still brown, but there is much promise yet to come in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, Dryden Lake was still frozen last Sunday morning, but it won't be for long!
Nicholas
This morning a glorious full moon sank slowly into the West behind some Tamarisk trees.
It was a gorgeous sight, lasting only for a few moments as it slowly disappeared.
The snow pack is gradually changing: this morning a thick crust of iced snow acts as a surprise to dogs and foxes alike. Misty rushed out to bark at a fox that came by the foot of the garden, but luckily the fence kept her in.
Its hard to imagine that in a few weeks time all the snow will have gone...and even harder to imagine the bursts of spring life yet to come.
Nicholas
Taughannock Falls at this time year is stunning. The valley was gorgeous in morning light today even though the air temperatures was -6F (-21 C).
At the end of the trail, the falls cascaded down as if suspended in time; icicles everywhere and just a trickle of water showering down in the centre of the ice.
The river itself still flowed of course, but only just visible in places.
I am reminded of the delicate balance between the seasons here. It seems impossible to imagine the burst of spring to come.
Nicholas
We've had well over 8 inches of snow over the last few days...which drifts to deep piles in places, making it very difficult to walk over without snowshoes.
This morning though, the sunshine came back and lit up the fields like a searchlight.
There is a possibility more snow will come tomorrow and Thursday!
Walking the field this morning took about twice as long and four times as much effort.
But our dog Misty loves it... burrowing into the snow to see if she can track mice and rabbits.
Nicholas
Ithaca Falls at this time of year is spectacular with ice flows and icicles.
Its always a joy to see this... glowing in morning light, reflecting all sorts of hues.
Standing underneath the icicles was impressive...they must have been twenty feet high!
Nicholas
Now as the days are lengthening it is fitting to celebrate the glorious sunset we had a few days ago...
The views as always from our patio are fabulous: Hammond Hill to the South and huge skies overhead...
Today, though, the snow has returned... breezing in on the back of an Alberta Clipper come down from the North.
Nicholas
The New Year has got off to a fierce start with raging winds coming in on an Alberta Clipper.
The light the evening before was spectacular as if it was some sort of compensation for the gales to come.
Now, temperatures have dropped by about 30 degrees and snow flurries are expected.
The field behind our house has become a sea of brown stubs over which the red tailed hawk and harrier fly, swooping down on unsuspecting mice and voles. It is a perfect habitat for them all.
Nicholas
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