Frozen Fog

Ever wonder what happens when fog freezes?  Well, we get frost flowers! They're not the same frost flowers as those that show up south of here, typically on dittany (Cunila origanoides) and wingstem (Verbesina spp.), but they're beautiful and intriguing nonetheless.  I was lucky enough to be outside this morning at the right time, and below are some of the shots that I took.

Looking out over a foggy winter landscape.

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

Frost Aster (Aster pilosus) (that's really the common name!)

Frost Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)... okay, the common name of this one is really Eastern Cottonwood

Tall Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea)

Canada Rye (Elymus canadensis)

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Hungarian Brome (Bromus inermis)

Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima)

A black-and-white shot

An obligatory Bootypants (Canis bootypantsii) photo

Freezing Rain's Not So Bad

On December 19, 2008, northern Indiana was slammed with a freezing rain storm. While this storm led to many automobile accidents, down branches, and power outages, it also opened up an opportunity for some pretty unique photos. These photos were taken on our property on December 20.

These photos are both of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans).

This is autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), a nasty weed. Notice the brown scales on the underside of the silvery leaves.

On the left is common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca); on the right is tall ironweed (Vernonia gigantea).

This is the very invasive multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora).