Morning Frost

The frost arrived before the light did.  Some flowers had already given up, but dandelions were still open, still holding their color. The cold didn't flatten these flowers. It just slowed everything down around them.

An Unusual Place to Fish

A few days ago on one frosty morning I hoped to see at least one Great Blue Heron and, to my joy, I found one. 

The Heron stood on frozen dry plants, a rather unusual spot for fishing, shifting from foot to foot and trying to warm up and wasn't particularly happy about it.

 

At some point, the Heron suddenly spread his wings wide and turned around.  Was it a fish or something else?  It's hard to say.

Eventually, the Great Blue decided to move on to a better fishing spot.  

Decisions, decisions... Should I stay here or not?

The Heron is inspecting a new fishing spot and will stay here for some time but he fails to catch the fish.

Great Blue Herons have adapted to our harsh, cold winters but they have difficulty finding food. 

Generally, life is good.

Male Light Morph Rough-legged Hawk

 

This Roughie was impossible to miss. He was sitting on a sign next to the road and seemed very calm and important.  Some of Roughie feathers were covered with frost, he also was larger than other Rough-legged Hawks I met before.

That freezing cold morning luck was on my side, the hawk was not going to leave his perch and he was not at all disturbed by my presence. It was his territory and no one could encroach on it. 

The Hawk had his morning ritual, he preened, stretched his wings, looked for any suspicious movement on the ground and sometimes was resting.

 

Generally, life is good!