Guest Garden Shot

Today's garden shot is from my sister's yard in Vienna, Virginia. We're visiting and what a treat to see this splash of color hopping around in the grass.

Here's the Snow that was Forecasted

We were warned yesterday that there could be up to one inch of snow by noon. A few flurries is all we saw. (I'm out of town and can't wait to get back and see the changes in my yard and gardens)

Female House Finch

A female house finch at a feeder. I hadn't filled my feeders for weeks because I considered it too hazardous for birds with a foster cat living in my yard. But the kitty has been moved to the garage for the winter with minimal outdoor time, so I filled the feeders up. I thought it might take a while for the birds to come back. It took literally only minutes.

Boise Winter Resident: Oregon Junco

These friendly, chatty Oregon dark-eyed juncos spend their winters in Boise.

Strawberry Plants Off-Season

A glimpse at the strawberry plants in the cold weather. Some of the leaves will stay green throughout the winter.

Naked Tree Sunrise

A candy sunrise today.

Frozen Rose

A sprinkling of snow is on this frozen rose.

Odd-Looking Leftover

I think this was a cosmos in its summer life. With the frost, rain and snow, it's morphed into something quite odd.

Naturally Dried Flowers

Naturally dried zinnia blooms in an outdoor planter.

Raking is on the To-Do List

The ornamental cherry tree shed its leaves in just two days. Since the mowing service is done for the season, we'll need to rake these up this weekend. Unless it snows, and that's a possibility. Then, we'll shovel snow, instead.

More Mini Brilliance

Here's another mini still blooming in November.

The Minis are Still Giving

The mini roses along the front walkway are still blooming. Their colors become more brilliant in the colder weather.

Fairy Flower Blooms Late

A couple of very late-season blooms on the fairy flower in one of pots near the front door.

How Can Tree Bark Be Interesting?

I think the bark on the river birch is interesting because it peels and has so much color variation. It even has tones of purple, if you look closely.

Barren Trees, Green Grass

Almost barren trees and still....green, green grass. Our lawns do eventually go dormant for the winter months.

Butterfly Bush Gone to Seed

One of the butterfly bush blossom arms gone to seed.

Freeze-Dried Blaze of Glory

Looking up into one of the arbors, I spied this freeze-dried blaze of glory rose bloom.

Autumn Leaves on the Flowering Cherry

The turning leaves on the flowering cherry in the backyard. At least, we think it's an ornamental cherry tree. It's one of the mystery trees that came with the house.