The sun was shining this morning, December 21, when I started my walk in Eliza Howell Park. The temperature was near 30 degrees F and the conditions were perfect for the formation of frost crystals.

As usual at this time of the year, I first looked for seed-eating birds among the plants in the wildflower field. They were there today — American Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, and American Tree Sparrows — foraging among the seedheads as they often do.

I did not hesitate to walk through the field myself to enjoy the frosty scenes.

Every exposed part of every plant was frost-covered. My stops included:

Bush Clover

Goldenrod

Queen Anne’s Lace

A Praying Mantis egg case also caught my attention.

At the edge of the field, Staghorn Sumac seed clusters clearly explained the term “frosting.”

There is something so very fitting and so thoroughly enjoyable to being greeted with sunshine and frost on the first day of Winter.