Winter Wonderland

 The temps dipped down to 22 at our house in the morning on Monday. The Mister has decided that the colder air sinks down into our  area as we are lower than some properties around us, so we are about 5 degrees colder than neighbors just up the hill. 

Our sprinkler system ran in the night. We are only allowed to irrigate on Mondays. (As a former Master Gardener I will put in my two 'sense' that we do not have enough natural moisture in the winter to support plants without irrigating at least twice a week.) It was fun to discover the winter wonderland when I got up to let the dogs out. 

Sparkling threads of Spanish Moss*

A Crepe Myrtle looking like it is strung with spider webs

Frozen Muhly Grass

Ice designs in the bird bath

I almost felt the joy I recall from childhood experiences of walking across crunchy grass...almost!

*the teacher (and Master Gardener) in me requires that I tell you (in case you didn't know) that Spanish Moss is not a moss at all. It is an Epiphyte. This means that it is a plant that grows on another plant, but is not parasitic. 

Leaving the Land of Spanish Moss

We left Fernandina Beach, FL, and turned the motorhome toward the west. But, not before admiring the Live Oak trees heavily draped in Spanish Moss. This is something we certainly don't see now that we live in Colorado!  It is an air plant that gets all of its water from the rain and humid air.

It seems to be a good year for the Spanish Moss,which isn't really a moss, despite it's name. Tendrils of moss could be found hanging almost to the ground. 

 Spanish Moss is an epiphyte. This means that even though it grows on other plants, it is not a parasite. It was even happy 'growing' on our motorhome!

(It really didn't grow there... 

we snagged a low-hanging pieces with the ladder.)