A Warm February Afternoon

The historical average temperature for February where we live in Maryland is 46 degrees (Fahrenheit); yesterday it was in the 60s and sunny. And the day before it reached 70. Not a normal February at all so far! I’d enjoy at least one good snow this winter!

I used the warm afternoon to clean out the bird bath and fill it with fresh water - and to photograph the Christmas Ferns that grow under our deck. They look scraggly this time of year but the stocking shape of the pinnae (the leafy segments along the stalk) are still evident. I bought them a few years ago, since they are very tolerant of shade and deer don’t eat them. They have survived well enough but they haven’t propagated themselves yet either.

On the way back up the stairs to the deck, I noticed that some of the stair risers were very green. They are in the shade for at least half the day and the wood must be damp enough to support the growth of photosynthetic microorganisms.