Winter Hibernation.

Looking at this photograph, taken one November day, makes me think how much I appreciate the evergreens in the garden at that time of year. The ivy, clothing as it does the eaves of the barn, earns its keep by providing food and shelter to many insects, and finding favour also as a roosting site for hundreds of sparrows which visit the garden. On the far right under the poplar tree is a small holly, which offers its fruit of juicy berries to hungry blackbirds.

Taken during freezing fog on Boxing Day a few years ago, this photograph gives the garden a ghostly atmosphere. Jack Frost is just beginning to make ice crystals on the long drooping branches of the silver birches and the bundle of twigs by the log pile, whereas the green of the ground-covering plants has all but turned to silver.

A first glance at this winter wonderland scene, although taken in January, begs the question, ‘Did you have a good Christmas?’ The delineation of the ice crystals on the weeping birches, enhances their silhouettes, adding lustre and beauty in equal measure. Even the undulations on the roof of the barn are turned into uniform lines running from the top of each corrugated sheet to the bottom.

I took this photograph a few years ago after a blanket of snow covered the garden, creating a picturesque scene. However, later in the day, a snowstorm developed, lasting for the best part of three days, bringing much of the country to a standstill, due to roads being closed by heavy drifting and telephone and electricity cables freezing over. The only movement outside came from hungry birds flying in to the bird-table - as ever, groaning with seeds, nuts and scraps - and the odd foray by one of our cats skating across the pond.