Hoar Frost & Birds in a winter wonder land.

Today was the first in two weeks with enough light for birds photos. The trees were blanked in hoar frost, adding a touch of surrealism. Bohemian Waxwings in a frosted tree top..

We located several large flocks of Bohemian Waxwings, but they stayed in the tree tops, too high for close ups. This is just one, of more than a half a dozen trees, this flock was spread across.

The few Waxwings coming down to feed, were in a tree with very little frost.

This Bald Eagle in a frosted tree, was among the birds we photographed today.

Nice pics, grasmussen. Alaska must be mighty cold by now. Brrrr!

Since the first few pictures all had blue sky, though I should show you we had to keep moving, as the patches of fog moved around. Had to abandon any attempt to find owls behind the airport, because the fog was moving in.

A Pine Grosbeak in a heavily frosted tree.

Another Pine Grosbeak. Oh, the temperature is in the single digits fahrenheit. Only 5 hours and 32 minutes between sun rise and sun set today. Less than 3 hours with enough light for photos, if the sky is clear. The sun is so low on the southern horizon, that one has to put the sun visor down, when driving south at noon, if it is clear.

A Black-billed Magpie.

Oh my Gary. those are so amazing

Bohemian Waxwing

Such gorgeous birds. You are so lucky! Though I don't know if I could stand the cold. I guess there are ups and downs with every place.

I have never heard of hoar frost. It sure makes a good backdrop for bird pictures!

Beautiful shots.....I'm surprised all birds don't head south for the winter....brrrr.

Wonderful series Gary...just beautiful shots!

Beautiful shots Gary!

So pretty with the ice on the trees!

I moved last september and the last owners told me dont feed the birds lol man I dont know what their problem was but the first thing I did was take out all my feeders and I filled all of them and again this winter I am rewarded with the most beautifull bird just outside my dinning room window every time I sit for a coffee or a meal I see different birds it is just amazing my kids love to look in the bird book to find out what they are called so they are learning about nature and our birds sometimes we even see deer and other animals it is just amazing to live in the country

my favorite book is the national audubon society field guide to birds eastern region north america most of the birds we see are in this one but this week end we say snow bunting they are not from our area but they are just beautifull

Nice shots, Gary. Brrrrrr !!!

I like your snow bunting scicciarella!

great shots!

Beautiful pictures...That hoary frost looks so cold tho'.

What cool shots!!!

Those are amazing shots Gary, very lovely with the frost.
Scicciarella, those birds aren't easy to photograph. Nice that you were able to get one, so close. And like you said they can only be found in the country.

I've been hearing reports of them in New Jersey.

oh pelle, wouldn't that be wonderful if they showed up at your house?

boo.

I know there were some in northern Chicago Suburbs last year along the lake. Just the conditions you report, Resin.

:-))

Actually, there are places where Snow Buntings will come into gardens to feed . . . but they're all in the Arctic. Reykjavik (Iceland) is supposed to be good for them.

Resin

Monday there was heavy ice fog again, making photography impossible, but adding another layer of hoarfrost to everything. Today was a beautiful clear sunny day. I spent the three hours of good light searching for birds.

A flock of European Starlings was easy to spot in the frost covered trees.

The most common place to find Snow Buntings here is in open wind swept farm fields.

This message was edited Dec 16, 2008 6:43 PM

A closeup of a Starling.

As the ice fog drifts along, it collects of everything producing the hoarfrost. A good breeze will blow the hoarfrost off.

A Black-billed Magpie in a frosted tree..

Makes even those Starlings look pretty cool!

We found a flock of Bohemian Waxwings numbering in the thousands, spread over many city blocks. However, we couldn't locate any birds down low feeding. They were all in the tops of mature Birch trees.

More Waxwings.

There were several Pine Grosbeaks feeding in this Crab-apple tree. However, the hoarfrost was so thick, I couldn't get a shot of most of them.

Pine Grosbeaks in the top of a mature Spruce tree, lighted by the setting sun at 2:57 P.M.

A Pine Grosbeak framed by frost.

A Common Redpoll dwarfed by the clumps of frost, on the twigs.

I hope to get another clear day, or two, before a breeze strips the hoarfrost off the trees.

Hope you get more clear days too with hoarfrost, would like to see more. Gorgeous.

This message was edited Dec 16, 2008 11:46 PM

Beautiful pics Gary! Love the sight of all the Waxwings at the top with all the hoar frost!

Hi Resin, Yes I knew they were only on the coast.