Everything was sparkling this morning after several hours of freezing rain yesterday encased our little part of the world. Once the sun made an appearance it was as if the air was crackling with electricity. The continual pops and cracks of ice breaking, falling and dripping from the trees onto the glass encrusted surfaces below. Gentle explosions releasing everything from natures fleeting gift-wrap. A winter wonderland… without snow …still waiting…
All images © Karen McRae
draw and shoot 
very beautiful your picture. i love it.
Thank you so much Antonio!
I especially enjoy picture #6 of the ice encased stems. Quite lovely.
Thank you Cynthia. 🙂
So beautiful! Such a gift-both your art and nature’s.
Beautiful images Karen 🙂
Lovely pictures, I’ve walked places where these things are happening, just not captured them like this. Thanks
Jim
The one that really intrigues me is the third one – it could be that you are under that bush looking at the sky. Really nice composition too.
These are really nicely composed. You are very good at capturing the beauty in nature.
Something is up with the with the worlds weather….. definitely playing a game with us all!!!! 😉 Karen, these are simply gorgeous captures!!!! I love the feel of crispness that you have managed to portray!!! 🙂 **
Your latest photographs have my favorite colors in them. Good jod
My favourite colours too.
Beautiful photos. And I love the title. 🙂
Hi again. 🙂
Here’s a little gift for you – http://nandinidhiman.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/receiving-the-blogging-awards-thank-you/
Thanks for beautiful inspiring photos, Karen 🙂
Merry Christmas – I have nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award.
Kathleen
thecourseofourseasons.com/2011/12/23/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Thank you so much Kathleen!
This is similar to my post yesterday, Karen. I love that we think alike about such things. Such beautiful images and you write so well. Thank you! And hope you have a lovely holiday.
So beautiful !!
Karen, I loved your introductory paragraph that led-in to the photos. Perfect for the beautiful photos that followed. And, what a great way of putting it: “Nature’s Gift-Wrap”. Merry Christmas!!
Thank you Marina. 🙂
Lovely photos and description of one of winter’s beautiful phenomena.
Karen – These are just stunning! I am blown away and dead jealous of your ability to catch everyday beauty! I find that really difficult to do (actually, I can’t do it at all)! The first shot and the last four are the very best in my humble opinion! Superb! Brilliant title also!
Cheers
John
Stunning last image