Texas is truly a mixed bag when it comes to weather. One day we’re in shorts and T-shirts, and the next day we experience a freeze. For example, that was the case for the first couple of days in January 2022. The temperature difference from Friday to Saturday was 30 degrees Fahrenheit or 17 degrees Celsius. Sometimes these temperature changes are gradual, but what happened that night was sudden and quite intense. It was a hard freeze for our local area in Austin.
The flower photos show what happened to our Blue Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) in the front yard of our old home. Earlier in December, everything was blooming because of the warmer temperatures. I was even able to observe a lot of pollinators doing their job. The photo below, for example, is the same plant two days before Christmas 2021.
In the backyard, the freeze was also very noticeable. Take a look up close at the ice formations below. You can easily see the ice that was formed around the fountain perimeter. It created a natural glow, contrasting with the rocks under the fountain. The addition of some leaves that had fallen from the trees above also added more color to an otherwise neutral scene. The last shot is a macro of one of the rocks. Looking at the ice covering the rocks reveals intricate and delicate patterns.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Austin, Blue Plumbago, Freeze, Macros, Texas, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
PR
Wonderful! I didn’t know Texas had snow also. Somehow I always imagined it to be a warm place 🙂.The ice and rock macro are amazing!
Egidio Leitao
It’s happening more frequently now, but it used to be only a day or two every couple of years. Thanks for writing.
Amy
Incredibly beautiful!!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you.
shoreacres
Your blue plumbago are showing the effects of a blue norther!
Egidio Leitao
Some came back, but we lost a couple of plants that year.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Davvero un cambiamento notevole.
Egidio Leitao
Grazie.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
These extreme temperature changes are so hard on plants and wildlife Egídio, your beautiful photographs illustrate this in delicate detail
Egidio Leitao
You’re right, Xenia. It’s hard on them.
margaret21
Has Texas weather always been so unpredictable? It must be so hard for nature to deal with. Beautiful images,
Egidio Leitao
It has. A common saying here is that if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few hours. Thanks for writing.
margaret21
Yes, it’s a bit the same here. A whole year’s worth of weather systems in a single day quite often.
sandyjwhite
We have similar extremes.
Egidio Leitao
It’s hard on the plants and animals.
sandyjwhite
And humans!
I. J. Khanewala
Beautiful, but hard for the plants
Egidio Leitao
Yes, it is hard for some plants in particular. We’ve had plumbagos come back, but one year, the freeze lasted too long. Thanks for your compliment.
Anne Sandler
The ice patterns on the rock are amazing Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. I liked those patterns, too.
Kathleen Jennette
Great photos, Edigio. I love the Plumbago plant. Once planted, it just grows. The colder weather can’t come faster in my opinion. The heat is not my cup of tea at all.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for writing, Kathleen. I’m dreading August because it tends to get hotter here. Maybe this will be a different year as it has been so far.
Writing to Freedom
Lovely macros Egidio and reminders about the fickle weather.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brad. Yes, the weather is completely unpredictable more than ever.
Writing to Freedom
Yes, a sad effect of climate change.