In Photos: Winter in Seattle

I always think of winter as a barren, dark time, but really it isn't. Winter sparkles, winter renews, and even though the trees are bare, the natural world is anything but dead. The absence of the leaves just makes for a different view of the world.
I think the berries, in this tree full of robins, are Mountain Ash. The fluffy bits are the seeds of a vine called Traveler's Joy. It seems to be taking over the tree in the best way.
 The birds here seem very busy during the winter. The ones that stick around are always clamoring for food. When it gets really cold, some of the chickadees are gutsy enough to land in your hand for a few seeds.
 I love days when everything is frosted over.
 Ice crystals
 A dock down on Lake Washington
The pomes of some species of hawthorn
lichen
 A foggy view at Green Lake
 The snow pack hasn't started to melt yet, so Elliot Bay is crystal clear. It looks almost tropical, but, man it does not feel tropical!
Fog and sunset at Alki Beach
 I've been working on Valentine's and there are quite a few January birthdays, so some birthday cards are in order, too. I was just using this catalog as a work surface, but this printed lady might find herself as part of an art project...
 ♠