Frosty mornings on the Charente Maritime are not too common but this year I was keen to get out and take a look before all the frost was melted by the winter sun.
I found even the bramble leaves looked different covered by the frost.
The cool evening temperature had formed ice crystals on the leave.
The autumn reds had been changed into frosted Christmas decorations.
The wild rose hips were taking the frost in their stride.
The spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus) berries looked sugar coated by the frost but will not survive many more freezing and de-frosting cycles.
The little birds flew out of the bushes as I approached, it was only the robin who could not retain his curiosity about the only person who was entering into their domain and lingering to look at their territory on such a frosty morning.
I decided to return and check out the garden. The birds, mainly the blackbirds, I think, have turned one of the persimmon into a frosty dessert. They choose to open the fruit at a ripe spot and I admire their choice as it is conveniently placed for easy perching. A real fast food option for the bird on the go.
In the back garden the fragrant honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima, is completely frosted over with its perfume sealed within the ice waiting for the sun to arrive.
The delicate flowers look as beautiful in the frost as they do in the sunshine. More flowers will follow the flowers frozen by the ice.
I was thinking of the bees that would be enjoying the new flowers on warmer days when I caught sight of a bumble bee.
The poor creature had been seeking overnight shelter on a flower and was frozen in place. Male bumble bees do not survive the winter, the queens will be snuggly overwintering but the others will not see the spring. My poor bumble bee had the added affliction of mites which survived the low temperatures remarkable well.
a french garden 
Love the red bramble leaves. 🙂
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Thanks, frost is challenging to photograph but it is fun trying.
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How gorgeous, love those crisp frosty winter mornings. Poor bumble bee though! Hope it was a male and not a queen that emerged too early.
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We have been having the young queens on the honeysuckle and the strawberry tree on sunny days but this one was too small to be a queen. The queens will be tucked away somewhere in a frost free place. I was sorry for him though and annoyed to see that the mites had survived seemingly unperturbed by the cold.
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Grrr, indestructible mites! Sweet of you to bring him in from the cold.
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We are not even close to frost here. The sugar coated spindle berries are cool 🙂
Have you ever handled a bumblebee? They are quite disconcerting because they are warm, and get warmer. They vibrate and warm themselves up.
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Yes, I love their feel. I brought this poor chap in out of the cold even though I realised it was the end of the line for him but he did not survive.
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Susan, I have never thought of handling a bumble-bee… even though I know that nthey would only sting as a last resort… this year is gone… but 2013… I might try… I want to find time for more macro photography, anyhowz.
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Amelia… thanks for yet another lovely post… it has brightened a dull, rainy morning…. may you enjoy a great Festive Season and a fruitful 2013.
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Thank you we are happily installed at my daughter’s house and enjoying all the family celebrations. Wishing you a Happy Christmas and all the best in 2013. Amelia
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So beautiful. The plants – fruits, flowers, berries and leaves – look like they were frozen in mid-summer. It’s a fascinating contrast with the ice coating everything.
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I think I appreciate it more on the Charente as it doesn’t happen too often!
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A morning to remember. Poor Bee 😦
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I did feel sorry for him and took him out of the cold to see if he would revive even though I knew it was the end of the road for him.
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Lovely photos, well worth braving the cold for.
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Thank you, but I must admit I preferred it later when the sun was up.
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Lovely photos. Most of our berries have already been eaten by the birds, but a couple are hanging on even in the snow. The frozen spindle tree berries look like iced cake decorations!
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I think the birds get an easier time of it over here. We often see maize with seeds left in it lying left over until the spring in the fields.
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Beautiful photos of the frost needles on fall leaves.
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Thank you, I enjoyed trying out my camera on the frost.
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Gorgeous photos as always, Amelia. I love the bramble leaves – really lovely composition. Poor old bee!
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Thank you, tried to resuscitate it but its time had come.
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Your photographs are so lovely!
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Thank you, I am fortunate to have such lovely countryside around.
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Those horrible mites…what a photograph, but mites on the bees is a very BAD thing!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
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I think the older bumble bees may be more prone to mites and he was definitely at the end. The poor things don’t have much choice if they are infected.
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Poor bumble bee, my Lonicera isn’t flowering yet, hopefully it will soon, it also still has most of its leaves. Christina
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I expect that will mean all the more flowers for the early queen bumble bees in the new year.
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Very nice photos, and this robin is very sweet. But the poor bumble bee….
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I know, nature can be sad as well as beautiful.
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I love the third shot, such a brilliant contrast of red against the frosty white..
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Thank you, I enjoyed taking my frosty knowing the sun was going to warm the day up later!
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c’est beauuuuuuuuuuuuuu !:)
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Merci, Amelia
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What inspiring photos. I am looking forward to taking pictures of January frosts. There is actually so much happening and to see in nature in winter!
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A lovely series. Sad about the bee, but such is nature. I ave a shot somewhere of a very bedraggled bee – no frost but still he had passed away on his leaf and remained there coated in rain.
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