Although my little pond has been froze over for a while now, the shipping season continues on Lake Superior until the Soo Locks close for the season on January 15, but the visitors watching the large freighters coming into port will need winter coats instead of summer shorts. It is always a treat to listen to the James Barker ship horns when it does the master salute when going under the Duluth Canal Bridge.
Ship Coming In
Although it wasn’t very windy today, I did find an old bird nest laying on the snowy ground under a large pine tree. At least no eggs or baby birds fell with the nest since it has been empty for months, but now it won’t be used again next year.
Fallen Bird Nest
This old mail delivery sled may be safer on the roads than a car if there is freezing drizzle mixed in with the snow tomorrow. Although the mail carrier probably wouldn’t want to have too many packages to carry in that small sled.
Old Mail Delivery Sled
The temperature at the nearest airport early this morning was -5, but my thermometers said it stayed above zero at least. But the trees were coated in frost, at least until the sun melted the white stuff off the limbs.
A Frosty View
The clouds parted just before noon and the sun shone down on a new carpet of white, but it was snow on a cold day and not daisies soaking up the summer warm rays.
Summer Daisies
The sun did peek out this afternoon but not enough to get the temperature above freezing so no snow melted and the ground is covered with a lot more white than from this fallen trees.
Fallen White
The male northern cardinal is easier to spot against the white snow, but I rather see him hidden in the green grass of warmer days instead.
Cardinal in the Green
The sunny day allowed the temperatures to briefly reached the freezing mark and the birds seem enjoy it as this chickadee lined up waiting for his turn at the bird feeder.
Sunny Chickadee
Last night five deer were playing on the ice at my pond but at least the new snow froze on the day’s earlier melting snow preventing the ice from being very slippery so the deer didn’t fall on the ice like they did last winter.
Deer Tracks on the Pond
While the pine trees limbs waved more to dislodge the snow, some remained on the tree branches for a few extra days before melting. If there was any snow left on the limbs, the predicted winds tonight probably would blow it off.
Branches of White
