winter – Page 4 – Rae Spencer

Snow at the Beach

January 27, 2013Rae Spencer4 Comments

Beach Snow Jan 25

It snowed at the beach on Friday, just in time for my annual weekend with the writers.

Beach Snow Jan 26

We stayed at a hotel on the Virginia Beach oceanfront, where we laughed and ate and sat around in our pajamas as we read to each other and critiqued chapters from works-in-progress.

Beach Snow Jan 26

All the while, it was so cold outside that Friday’s snow couldn’t melt.

Beach Snow Jan 26

Saturday afternoon I spent some time on our icy balcony, trying to photograph cormorants, seagulls, and dolphins.

Birds Jan 26

Dolphins Jan 26

Clouds raveled and gathered again, the sun came and went, and the ocean flickered from gray to green to blue.

Beach Snow Jan 26

All day Saturday the surface looked silky and smooth, but Sunday morning’s high tide rumpled it into restless wrinkles.

Beach Snow Jan 27

After I got home, I felt restless, too. Uncertain of how to proceed from here. The weekend was so perfect, and the house was so warm, and I was indescribably happy.

How could I ever want more than what I have right now? More than these comforts and luxuries I am so grateful to have known?

Flurry

January 24, 2013January 24, 2013Rae Spencer2 Comments

Snow Jan 24

A brief snow flurry brought a glimpse of true winter today.

Snow Jan 24

It didn’t last long, barely long enough for these photos, which is the best kind of snow. Pretty while it’s falling, fun to play in for a few minutes, and gone before your toes get too cold.

Another Warm Day = Another Walk

January 21, 2013January 21, 2013Rae SpencerLeave a comment

First Landing Jan 21

Today we walked one of our favorite trails at First Landing State Park.

First Landing Jan 21

Squirrel Jan 21

Egret Jan 21

We heard a report, shortly after arriving, that two Bald Eagles had been spotted there this morning. We missed the eagles, but did see a number of egrets.

Egret Jan 21

As usual, I tried in vain to photograph the trail’s smaller birds. I missed Eastern Bluebirds and Chickadees, White-throated Sparrows and Brown-headed Nuthatches. I missed Pine Warblers and Downy Woodpeckers. The only one I didn’t miss was this wren.

Wren Jan 21

I believe it’s a Carolina Wren, though it was not singing a typical Carolina Wren song.

Wren Jan 21

I’m very curious to hear from more experienced bird watchers. Is this a Carolina Wren? If so, is this a typical call variation?

Now that I’m home and at my computer, I find myself wishing I had stayed out longer. If our forecast holds, the next few days will be too cold for comfort. I will be trapped indoors with a frightening stack of neglected bookkeeping. I might be forced to start another crochet project or organize the archives. Work on an unfinished manuscript. Fake an illness. Anything to avoid starting the taxes…

Too Soon for Spring

January 20, 2013Rae Spencer4 Comments

Rose Jan 20

The yard seems blissfully unaware of next week’s weather forecast, which calls for overnight temperatures in the teens and highs barely above freezing.

Pear Tree Jan 20

Perhaps the yard knows more about forecasting weather than our current computer models? The roses, pear tree, and hydrangea have roused from their winter slumber, as have the tulips and hyacinths.

Hydrangea Jan 20

Tulips Jan 20

(This is the same hyacinth that I photographed earlier this month…)

Hyacinth Jan 20

It’s not just the plants. A swarm of hoverflies invaded the yard today.

Hoverfly Jan 20

And the winter flocks of robins have broken up. They chirp testy challenges to each other as they forage, defending larger and larger spheres of territory. Last week, seven or eight birds happily shared the pear tree’s branches. Today, there was only one.

Robin Jan 20

The weeds needed mowing yesterday, which shaved off an entire crop of blooms. A few escaped the mower’s blades, mostly those growing in the iris beds and cactus pots.

Deadnettle Jan 20

Weed Jan 20

While photographing weeds, I noticed the old cactus seems to have produced some kind of seed this year. Would I get a new cactus, if I planted it?

Cactus Jan 20

Finally, I considered washing the windows today, but decided to put it off again. They aren’t completely opaque, yet…

Cat Jan 20

I’ll get to it later this week. Maybe.

December Skies

December 9, 2012Rae Spencer2 Comments

Sunset Dec 8

The last few days have been warm enough for open windows and bare feet. The yard looks like winter, but the sky looks like summer.

Leaf Dec 9

Gull Dec 9

Warm wind rattles through bare branches and ripples over a raveled carpet of leaves. Migrating birds gather in restless flocks, and I wonder if they regret flying south too soon.

Robin Dec 9