Should I have believed the frost warning? Yes. It was two degrees above freezing when I walked and one degree above when I ate breakfast. I assumed we had not reached the magic number, even though the pasture was suspiciously white. An hour or so later there was water dripping off the deck railing. I went out to touch it to see if frost had formed there. With direct sun on it, there was only water. My eyes slid over several inches. Golly Pete! There was ice on the birdbath!
The solar pump was not working, and I thought it was broken, clogged by ice. I gently pulled it out, where it left a hole in the ice. Ice made a circular frame for a green and brown leaf under it. The ice was at least ¼ inch thick, more than enough to make a skating pond for the birds. The fountain did work, and I put it back so the birds could see there was running water for them.
Mehrling Muse 
Yikes! Ice already … it does look so pretty in the birdbath! Glad there is water running for your feathered friends – they appreciate that more than ever as winter nears.
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I was totally surprised by ice on the birdbath. A big bluejay came and slaked his thirst. I wanted him to jump on the ice, but he was not so inclined.
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Brrr! We had our second frosty morning today.
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Not too much ice here in Kansas yet, but we had a couple cold mornings. Enough to kill my potted plants for the year. The frogs in my small pond have buried themselves I think! I’m always excited for a new season to begin.
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That’s wonderful to be excited by the change of seasons. I look forward to all but the hot summer days.
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I’m farther north than you and we’ve had no frost yet. How odd that you have! Ice on the Birdbath would be a great name for a memoir. 😊
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That icy birdbath took me by surprise.
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I was surprised by ice on the windshield the other morning. I guess tonight will be our first hard frost, so goodbye to my annuals.
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I’m not sure you need the fountain as the birds don’t generally shower when it’s this cold.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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You are right, David. Once this year I saw a finch sit on the fountain as it floated around the birdbath. He had an amused look on his face.
xxx Fountains of Hugs xxx
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No frost here yet but usually by mid-November at the latest. I have my “heated” birdbath out and in use although I haven’t plugged it in yet.
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The birds might come to warm their toes, not knowing the heat isn’t on yet.
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After posting that note yesterday, we had spotty frost overnight and the previously predicted temps of the 60’s have dived. Hello fall!
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Frozen at this house means the end to Chiggers. http://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef630
Mary Agnes had the little buggers for the better part of a month back in the warm days. Lesson Learned: Stay out of the brush when exercising Ben.
The taller the weeds during the summer, the deeper the snow in the winter.
https://www.wlky.com/article/44-winter-weather-folklore-sayings/3753507#
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There was lots of interesting material in those articles. I remember chiggers in TN, but I don’t think chiggers are here in western NC. If they are in this area, I haven’t met them yet.
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Not yet but it has bee pretty chilly here in middle Missisippi.
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Amazing it was cold enough for ice to form already – the birds were likely all around waiting for you to “fix” their bath and drinking water. It was 38 when I left this morning – feeling frosty and in a hat and gloves.
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I tipped the water out of the birdbath and brought in the solar fountain and the glass hummingbird feeder.
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Now of course you will have an Indian Summer and your feathered friends will look in the window at you with pleading eyes “bring back our food and water!”
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The birdbath is out there, just empty. I’ll put out seeds in a few weeks.
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Wow! We had some cold weather last week but this week it’s been raining so it’s super mild! I’ll keep my fingers crossed it warms up for you too
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Thank you.
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Frost on the pumpkin. It’s that time of year. Bless you for caring for our fine feathered friends. Enjoy your day!
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We’ve had a light frost or two, but I haven’t seen any ice yet this fall. It’s amazing that it’s apparently been colder in North Carolina than further north.
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The mountains usually have cooler weather than the rest of the state. Our house is about 2,600 feet above sea level. Mt. Mitchell is over 6,000, and it’s always coldest there. It’s surprising how much difference elevation makes.
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It didn”t get quite that cold here…36 degrees. Nevertheless, the unmistaken signs of winter are here.
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Winter is on the horizon. I’d like to see some colorful trees first.
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1/4 inch ice is quite a bit! Golly Anne winter seems to have come early on your neck of the woods?
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Ice on the birdbath has happened only once so far. Our temps bounce up and down a lot in the fall season. It was warm yesterday, warm enough that we donned sweaters and ate on the porch.
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