Frosted Stipa gigantea (golden oats)

Ordinary Things

Posted on by Ann Mackay

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After a long spell of mild and rainy weather, we at last had some frost. Photographically, it was a bit disappointing because it was mostly on the lawn and shorter plants. The taller plants, such as the Stipa gigantea (golden oats) above, had very little frost. So there were not many opportunities for photography. The pictures you see here are from last year.

Despite the thin coating of frost, it has felt really cold this week. The ground is frozen hard and there is thick ice over the top of the pond and in containers of saved rainwater. Only the week before, I had been able to spend time doing some weeding in the garden – not a chance of that now!

For the sake of this blog, I’m glad that I took lots of photos during last winter’s heavy frosts. The weather can’t be taken for granted, so there’s no guarantee of having anything to photograph at this time of year. Luckily for me, when it is frosty, the most ordinary of things look a lot more interesting!

frosted blackberry leaf
A blackberry leaf looks as if its edges have been dipped in sugar.
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Published by Ann Mackay

Photographer, mixed-media art adventurer and completely daft about plants.......

16 thoughts on “Ordinary Things”

    1. Not bad, Jill. We are a bit sheltered here and haven’t had as bad weather as elsewhere. (Though tonight and tomorrow may be different!) Our blue hibiscus is leaning (roots don’t go very deep), so will have to rig up some support for it. My main worry is all the rain affecting my little bog garden. I’m wondering if the plants there may be too soggy, but will have to wait for spring to know if they’re coping…eek!

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  6. It sounds as though you’ve been having a bit of what we call ‘roller coaster weather.’ It’s a shame that you haven’t had the opportunity to take more ‘frosty’ photos. You’ve shown such variety in the past; it’s no wonder you’d like to give it another try. No matter. In time, some sort of new opportunity will present itself, even if you have to wait for new blooms.

    That said, this blackberry is gorgeous. Snow on living green is one of my favorite combinations; sometimes we get to see it on our palms and such. It rarely lasts for more than a day (or even hours), but it’s still pretty.

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    1. ‘Roller coaster’ weather is a great description! And just what we have at the moment. This morning is sunny and mild, after a night of wild winds.
      Snow on palms must look really good – and good for photography too. 🙂

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  8. Glad you are having a milder winter even if it does not give you the beautiful frost images. I always prefer the warmer weather! I guess there is plenty of time for more winter though.

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    1. I’m glad that we’re having some milder weather now and I’ve taken advantage of it to get a bit of work done in the garden. (There’s such a lot waiting to be done!) But you’re right, there’s plenty of time for the cold weather to return…❄

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