It is winter in the quiet wild. We have had our first deep freeze, so the place really looks like it’s winter now. Thankfully, I cut back most of the plants to allow them to use their energy to produce strong new growth for the spring. Removing the dead wood prevents pests and disease from overwintering in the plant. I also use the cutting back activity to help reshape plants like roses. I removed crossing branches, which allow for better airflow. This type of pruning discourages fungal issues. Hopefully, the thrips are tired of my roses and leave them alone this next season!

Since the backyard sanctuary is in a state of maintaining energy, I decided to spend some time reviewing previous photos. This blog post contains photos I have taken with my Nikon or iPhone, which have been edited and may include notes of positivity or thoughtfulness. I hope you accept them in the spirit in which they are given – to provide inspiration and hope during this time of winter. The words on the photos are mine, except the quote by E.B. White. Remember, spring is coming!

This photo was taken at sunrise. The spiders had been busy overnight, as many webs covered the dew-dappled branches. I had to get very close to capture the beauty of the tiny strands of web. It reminds me that even the smallest of creatures can shape our world in remarkable ways. The quote by E.B. White seemed appropriate. Those who know Charlotte’s Web will get the reference!

The image below was taken as the sun was beginning its journey down in the late afternoon. Although I did not realize it at the time, I caught this stream of light coming through the Black-Eyed Susan vine at the perfect moment! When I reviewed the images later, I observed the sunlight beaming between the houses, which seemed to drift through the petals and foliage of the plant. The shadows and light casting on the green of the leaves and the orange of the petals were hypnotic in a way. One can almost feel a communion with the plant in being able to see the individual veins in each leaf.

One of my favorite plants is my Peggy Martin rose. This rose is celebrated for its incredible resilience, surviving two weeks submerged in saltwater after Hurricane Katrina. It was one of the only plants to survive the onslaught of that terrible storm. Even today, after two nights of below-freezing temperatures, it still has blooms. It is kind of all over the place on my arbor, but I love it!

The two images below show a gorgeous roadside view from a 2020 trip to Fredericksburg, TX. I was completely taken by this simple view of wildflowers growing along a lonely county road. Their only purpose this day seemed to be to feed the bees and butterflies that raced from bloom to bloom. Or maybe they were providing a hiding place for little critters under their leaves and flowers. Either way, I was captivated. The first image is the original photo.

The second image is an edited version of the original photo. I used AI to create an impressionistic view of the original photo. I was fascinated with the results. This image presents a soft, painterly view of the roadside floral scene. I love them both!

As I wrap up this post, I am watching a flock of sparrows surround the feeder outside my studio window. One little guy has been patiently working his way around all sides of the feeder the whole time I have been writing this blog. Now, he has about seven feathered friends trying to make room beside him for something to eat!

My feeders remain full throughout the freezing temperatures, so the daily flying visitors to the quiet wild have sustenance when it is difficult to find otherwise. Pictures of them will be in the next post! Until then…