Cardinal in Snow / Ice Crystal Palace

It was a day that turned a bit snowier than we expected. So I did go out and have a little walk in the snow. But mostly, we stayed in and watched the white stuff come down. Isn't it cozy to sit by a window with a hot beverage and a book, under a very nice blankie, watching it snow?

You may remember the silly little, grumpy-old-man-looking baby cardinal that I introduced you to back in May. Well, he's all grown up now and he has a girlfriend, and they are both regular visitors at my husband's bird feeders. Here's the original story of how he learned to fly, and gave us both apoplexy over it. 

At this particular juncture, he was sitting in a tree out front, waiting for the next feeding. I took this shot through the window. The birds get very impatient and HUNGRY when it is cold and snowy. Many people believe that seeing a cardinal is a sign that a loved one who has passed is hovering near. I thought he made a beautiful picture in the snow.

My husband brought in a frozen bowl of water and I got to play with it on the bathroom sink, as I am wont to do. The bowl, a pretty thing with an old-fashioned floral pattern on it, broke, alas. So making this ice was the last constructive thing it did. (Though I'm keeping that floral pattern part, hoping to feature it in a future frozen bubble adventure.)

I carefully removed the ice from the bowl and placed it in a clear, square, Pyrex container, and lit it from underneath with my trusty old el-cheapo headlamp, then turned the lights out and took photos. (The newer and better headlamp I ordered has not arrived in the mail yet.)

I though that it looked like a starry galaxy. No, like a crown or tiara. No, like a shiny amoeba. No, like frozen tears in a cold rain on a faraway planet. No, like an ice crystal palace. (See photo in extras.) 

Last Sunday night, we were watching Frozen on TV, and I told my husband that Elsa is my hero, as she can make crystal palaces with ice that flies out from her fingertips! How amazing and gorgeous! Well, guess what, Elsa: As it turns out, with a bit of camera magic, I CAN MAKE THOSE TOO!!!!  :-)

I have two soundtrack songs for a cold and wintry day. First is a song by one of my favorite crystals: Crystal Gayle, with Baby What About You. And from Frozen, I've got Elsa, with Let It Go (aka: The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway).

Bonus: a photo of his mom, the "new lady cardinal."