Skip to main content

Featured

A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Happy New Year!

Goldfinches outside the kitchen window, taken with my new camera lens.

Since I have a big phobia about the number 13, I'm wondering how I'm going to cope with 2013! Yikes.

Happy New Year!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. That #13 will be in your mind daily. Hopefully you will get used to it. It won't hurt you. Love the photo. It looks like that new lens will be an asset. Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the photo! One of my goals this year is to use my husband's really good camera and lenses. I love taking pics of birds, too. Maybe taking more photos will help with that pesky 13 number. Happy New Year from Arkansas!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looking through a new lens, of course! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had a teacher once tell me her son returned from Vietnam on the 13th (a Friday even), so she never considered it unlucky. I have a sister born on the 13th, too. I hope this year turns out to be one of the best for you! Happy 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great picture of the Goldfinches! I predict that this year will be your best so far, filled with wonderful plants and special people. Remember, it's just a number. Happy New Year, Phillip!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great capture of the goldfinches.I have never seen as many as I have this year.I have to fill the feeders everyday(I should,but I don't).Love watching them.
    If 13 won you the big money on the Lotto,you would think it was your luck number.....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great photo, Phillip! From someone born on the 13th. Life is good! Happy New Year to you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy New Year, Phillip! Great photo, and what lens did you get?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Just think of it as 31 backwards. Happy new year to you regardless of the number.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Five golden finches and a hou---ow-ow--ows---finch.

    ReplyDelete
  11. hey if it makes you feel any better, this is technically the 14th year of the 2000s, so your unlucky year should have been last year!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the suggestions everybody! Masha, I got a 105mm macro lens.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy to find your blog today! Your photos are amazing! Of course I'm following you:)

    ReplyDelete
  14. So that's where all of my charming goldfinches have gone for the winter! I do miss their cheery summer yellow coats around here.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy New Year !

    Thanks for the wonderful posts. I thoroughly enjoy your blog from my little corner of the world in New Zealand, but very seldom comment so I hope I have put that right for the New Year :-)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts