January 2023
Winter Wonders
01/22/2023
We have been having some interesting frosts. This one occurred when the ground and plants were icy cold, but there was a still fog. The moisture in the air allowed crystals to form on the trees and here on my echinacea! Often the air is so dry here in Iowa when it is very cold that we do not get these larger crystal formations. I think this is called rime ice, different from what we usually call hoarfrost around here when the trees are transformed overnight into beautiful white crystals. Time for a deeper dive into winter water and how the different frosts are created!
I leave the echinacea seed heads through the winter and the small birds - American Goldfinch and other little guys - enjoy it outside my window.
What beauties are surrounding you this time of year?