Frost, and a new bird

This morning there was a heavy layer of white frost all over the roofs, the ground, and the vehicles. There was about a quarter of an inch of ice on the water in a pail I'd left by the well top. 

Frosty miniature rose

The sky was clear, and as the sun rose and warmed everything up to a high of 10C this afternoon, all remnants of the frost disappeared and all the plants that were frosty and wilted this morning have popped back as if nothing had happened. It was a hard frost, but not a 'killing' frost.

the carrot tops live on

Mid-morning, I happened to look out at the bird feeder and noticed a new bird going from the feeder to the gnarly old apple tree and back. 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

We have never seen a Red-bellied Woodpecker up here before. My bird book says it is supposed to frequent remnant stands of Carolinian forest which are way down along the Lake Erie shore! He was definitely the boss in the feeder, keeping the greedy Blue Jays at bay!

I had a bush wander this afternoon, just enjoying the sunshine and the cool, leaf-scented air. The only trees left with leaves on them now are trembling aspens, oaks, and the phalanx of young beech trees that will hold onto their coppery-bronze coloured leaves until spring.