Cold Piece of Work

Mother Nature, not to be outdone by the lovely ice sculptures at Franklin on Ice, has created some works of her own over the past few weeks. Although, her pieces tend to be a little more abstract in nature.

I know some folks have pretty much had it up to their necks with the ice posts. However, that is just the nature of things this time of year.

​There's not too much wildlife movement and nothing new as far as flowers popping up each week. Ice and snow formations are about the only things that add a little variety.

About the only things moving are the goats when the dogs decide to chase them.
The goats like to butt the dogs and bite at their tails. So when the dogs turn the tables, I just let it happen. I believe it is known as Karma.

Speaking of Karma, those who criticize these icy prose could be called cold pieces of work. Thefreedictionary.com defines a cold piece of work as a "remarkably difficult, malicious, unpleasant or objectionable person."

 I thought a little play on words would work for the title.

I have always sought out ice and frost photos. I found that the best time to catch some of these formations are early in the morning just as the sun is waking up.

Too much sun will melt the frost and ice and destroy some of the fragile artwork, no matter how cold the temperature is outside.

This year's work schedule so far has not been favorable to find many of these formations.

I could stay up and go out after working the night shift. However, it is usually still dark when arriving home.

​I have tried to walk the dogs at this time, but it proves to be difficult. 

It is a time when the wild animals have just finished or are still moving about the woods.

This makes the crazy canines even more crazier.

​The dogs are full of energy because they slept the full eight hours that I was at work.

I, however, am pretty much the walking dead at that point and can't wait to get to bed.

​While the dogs' energy level is high, my level of irritation seems to grow with each step.

So we postponed early morning walking until the sun takes to the sky.

Nonetheless, the setting sun provided some color earlier last week.

Also last week, I snapped a couple photos of the neighborhood red squirrel. It was pretty much staring me down as I was near it's home which is a hole in my home's porch floor.

The squirrel and the chipmunks, who are currently hibernating, have quite the setup living under my wraparound porch.

​Not to mention that the fully stocked bird feeders are not that far away.

That's just the nature of things 'round here.

Special thanks to our continued sponsor at Buffalo Street Lanes

And just one more abstract piece of work from Mother Nature.