Wasp Nest in the Rain ...

Last week Sissie and I took a walk over at the once-abandoned church property across the street ... the demolition company has been hard at work, and there were piles of rubble everywhere.

I found this old wasp nest on a piece of twisted metal - glistening wetly in the rain. I was glad it was an old one!

Because if it was a new one, I never would have ventured close enough to find this heart!

To see hearts from around the world, visit Random Hearts ... and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday!"

Raindrops on Grasses

March roared in like the proverbial lion yesterday, with every kind of weather imaginable!
We woke up to a light dusting of snow, then were treated to wind and rain, and even a few moments of sunshine.

Even the grass was grateful for the hints of Spring!

To see reflections from around the world, join us for James' "Weekend Reflections"!

It snowed!!! Or did it???

I woke up to a cold dark morning ... I turned on the TV, and the weatherman said "snow!" The roving reporters stationed about the city (of which I am not a resident, but live somewhat south of) were excitedly showing off their "Live" shots of the white stuff ... several roads were closed!

I couldn't wait for daybreak, a chance to go play.
I made a fire, and a pot of coffee; and waited.

Slowly the dark unfolded into light.
I ran outside with my camera.

Where was the snow?
I couldn't find it!!!
I ventured further - to the end of the driveway.
On one small landscape board - FINALLY - some snow.

The cats had already found this tiny pristine piece of white ...
and left their paw print heart.

As it turned out, it did indeed snow. The small hill just behind the house is white with it.
Just not here!
Sigh.
Maybe next year.

To see hearts from around the world, visit Random Hearts - and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday"!

The Sun Finally Broke Through ...

When the sun finally broke through yesterday, after a wintertime of gray, it was greeted with joy and beauty!

Nature's Jewels glittered everywhere - diamonds, amethysts, amber!

And pearls.

A Walk in the Rare Winter Sunshine ...

This squiggly tree, bare of leaves for now, reached out to scratch the clouds as they scudded by on this chilly and rare sunny day.

A broken pane of glass reflected its surroundings ...

And, in a show of bravery, a delicate daffodil shoot broke through shards of glass ...

I can hardly wait for spring!

To see reflections from around the world, visit James' "Weekend Reflections"!

Moss on Fence at The Abandoned ...

Time has not been kind to the works of man at the abandoned church ...
Nature struggles to assert herself in so many tiny ways ...

Like the mosses and lichens that have taken over the fence near the old gazebo ...

A heart peeks out from the decay ...
Reminding me that nature will triumph. For now.

It's "Fridays Fences" time over at Jan and Jer's!

It's also "Guest Heart Thursday" over at Random Hearts!

Raindrops on Rose Hips

We've had a wet winter.
Not severely cold, just a chill-to-the-bone kind of season ...

But there have been times when all this wet stuff made for some fun photography!
Like this rose hip raindrop ...

If you stretch your imagination, maybe you can see that the white sky reflection is somewhat of a heart?

To see hearts from around the world, visit Random Hearts - and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday!"

To see reflections from around the world, visit James' "Weekend Reflections"!

Emerald Green with Wings

(Please click on this photo to enlarge and see more details!)

Due to inclement weather (rain, rain, flood, rain), we have been stuck indoors for several days. What better time to go through the archives and find those pictures I had forgotten about!

This emerald green (bee? fly?) was gathering some late season pollen when I came across it near the end of October.

I was mesmerized by the iridescent green of the insect against the vivid yellow of the flower.

I am linking this up with Tina's PicStory's "Weekend Flowers",
James' "Weekend Reflections",
NixBlog's "Floral Friday Fotos",
and
NatureFootsteps' "NF Winged".

I hope everyone has a delightful weekend!

Cut Tree Heart

The "tree people" came through last week, clearing out trees and branches that were growing too close to the overhead power lines.

Unfortunately, this huge old cottonwood was in the way, and had to go.
I did a double-take when I realized the tree people had left a stump - with an upside down heart!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!

The Tiny Beauty of Moss

If you could have only seen me yesterday ...
Taking pictures of the moss ...

And miniature mushrooms ...
In the calm between storms ...

Savoring the tiny beauty around me ...

On my hands and knees ...
Tush in the air ...
Soaked to my elbows ...

And happy as happy can be!!!

I am linking this up with Lisa's Chaos - "Macro Monday".

And Studio Waterstone's "I Heart Macro".

Needle Ice

The ground froze last night ...
This morning, when the sun came out, I found these interesting ice heave formations. It amazes me that such a delicate piece of frozen water can lift up rocks like this!

I did some research, and learned that this type of ice is called "needle ice", frost heave, or frost beard. The National Snow & Ice Data Center (NSIDC) describes needle ice as follows: "Needle ice can form any place where the ground freezes. It crunches when stepped on. Needle ice is made up of thin ice crystals. The ice crystals grow upward, starting a few centimeters (inches) underground. If the air stays cold enough, needle ice can grow forty centimeters (16") long."

What the NSIDC doesn't say, however, is that if a deer runs through the ice patch, it leaves behind a heart!!!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!

Coral Mushroom

I was a little surprised to find this coral mushroom yesterday as I hiked through the woods. Even though it is a small fungus - it's white color showed up brilliantly against the darkness of dead leaves and debris of the wintery forest floor.

A Walk in the Rain ...

The pink heather blossoms are hanging on this winter ...
Today they are drenched in rain.

And are linked with Tina's PicStory's "Weekend Flowers" ...
And with NixBlog's "Floral Friday Photo"...

The trees in the distance are reflected in the drops hanging from the blackberry vine.

If you look carefully (or click the picture to enlarge it), you can even see the rim of my camera lens reflected above this raindrop!

Life can be beautiful in the rain ...
Because that's when Nature shares her jewels.

To be linked together with other reflections over at James' "Weekend Reflections"!

Winter's Rain on Blackberry Leaf ...

Tina's Wordless Wednesday