The Winter Dark Firefly (Ellychnia corrusca)

While outside tending the garden the other day, I noticed this bizarre-looking fellow slowly scaling the brick wall. Of course, I had a camera nearby, and of course, I took the opportunity to photograph him (or her).

The Winter Dark Firefly (Ellychnia corrusca) come out in late winter and early spring. They, like the more common fireflies seen in the summer, are bioluminescent. But the Winter Dark Firefly is much larger in size, coming in at about a half-inch or so.

There are several varieties of these lightning bugs, each with different color markings, including black, brown, red, yellow, and orange. Like other members of the beetle family, the Winter Dark Firefly defends itself by unleashing a smelly substance from its legs onto perceived predators.

Violets on the Rails to Trails, Black Creek Park

Although there a now hundreds of violets, and assorted other flowers, that litters the side of Black Creek Park's Rails to Trails, these were the first that I observed, as late Winter evolved into early Spring several weeks ago.

Late Winter Dandelion in Monochrome

A Dandelion has sprouted in late Winter, the forebear of Spring to come.

Ants Scavenge a Dandelion in Late Winter

Before Winter's heavy curtain falls revealing the promise of Spring, the storehouses deep within the labyrinth grow thin and the pangs of hunger set it. The laborers are sent out to scavenge for whatever can be found in this dreary hour. Dandelions and other winter flowers are combed for any treasure they might contain. Finding little, the ant invaders move on tirelessly attempting to meet the needs of the tribe.

Enduring Signs of the Snowpocalypse, Birmingham

Despite the turn of weather, which has brought us back to the mean as to what Southerners can expect during Winter, all around the Birmingham area, there are still evidences and subtle reminders of the winter storm that was, whether you want to call it one of many monikers it was given: Snowmageddon, Snowpocalypse, Winter Gridlock 2014, and let's not forget...Leon.

Van in a gully, having slid off the road during the Birmingham winter storm in January 2014

Withstanding the Dreary Winter Weather with Darby

Despite the beatdown that I and many other reasonable people like me feel winter to be, there are those among us who inexplicably thrive for the cold temperatures and blustery winds. During no other time of year does Darby seem to have more life and vivacity than when the mercury in the thermometer plummets and she gets to put that fur coat to good use.

Withstanding the Winter with Darby on the Rails to Trails

at Black Creek Park in Fultondale, Alabama

Other photos and videos of Darby, from puppyhood to present, can be found here.

Moon Sets, Sun Rises, Tree Abides

The Sun and Moon daily dance across the sky, but steady tree, 

rooted, bides its time until lively Spring beckons and Life resumes.

This and other such scenes around Alabama can be seen at the gallery, Alabama the Beautiful.

Trees on a Ridge Backlit by the Low Winter Sun

Trees on a Ridge Silhouetted by the Low Winter Sun near Montgomery County, Alabama

This and other scenes from around the State of Alabama can be found at the galleries.

Wisps of Color on a Winter Landscape, Alabama

With a conflicted state of mind as to whether actually to stop and photograph on this miserably cold winter morning, I was rewarded with this pre-dawn landscape of two weathering the dreary months in solitude. Here seen as colors were just beginning to decorate the surface and sky.

Recently, I have been told that this somewhat looks like a momma tree and a baby tree growing alongside one another, and I rather like the thought of that.

Wisps of Color on Barren Trees in a Winter Landscape in Montgomery County, Alabama

Transfixed in Solitude against Dread Winter, Alabama

As it turns out, I was first smitten by this particular scene about a year prior to the taking of this photograph, though the different time of day and other factors led to a disparate result (here). 

There's just something about the stark nakedness of the unclothed trees standing atop an otherwise barren ridgeline that captures my attention. So I, in turn, have taken to turning the tables and attempting to capture it.

Trees on a Ridge are Transfixed in Solitude against Dread Winter

near Red Level, Montgomery County, Alabama

Pre-Dawn Landscape of Barren Winter Trees, Alabama

On a recent trek across the state, when I had to set out before anything else was stirring, I came across this scene on a bleak winter morning. The sun was just about to break the eastern horizon, and I drove past thinking: (1) there might be something there, and (2) it's cold and I'd really rather not get out of the car. So after a half-mile's worth of deliberation, I turned around, and I'm retroactively grateful to myself for doing so.

Winter Landscape of Lonely Trees near Red Level, Montgomery County, Alabama

This and other scenes from about the state can be found at the "Alabama the Beautiful" gallery.

Low Winter Sun on the Rails to Trails, Fultondale

As the winter sun daily rises lower in the southern sky, the splashes of color that the are landmark of autumn's arrival begin to peter out and become scarce. The shadows deepen and the light takes on a colder hue.

A low winter Sun illuminates that last Autumn Colors

on the Rails to Trails at Black Creek Park, Fultondale, Alabama

Shrugging off Autumn's Shroud in Guntersville

Giving Way to Winter, Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Alabama

Autumn is faithfully giving way to Winter on the banks of Lake Guntersville on the Tennessee River, in Guntersville, Alabama.

On a recent work-related trip to Guntersville, I paused long enough to notice that the seasons are continuing to shift, and the trees are shrugging off their autumn shrouds.

Warm Thoughts for a Cold Weekend

You know how I like to remind myself that there will again be warm days in the future? I think about the several days that Anna and I spent at Point Clear, Alabama on the Mobile Bay last summer. And that just about does the trick...until I step out to run and my ears hurt and eyes water from the cold.

Point Clear, Alabama :: Canon AE-1 with Kodak Gold 200

Coming Early, Staying Late

As we march deeper into what passes for Winter down here in the South, ole' Jack Frost has been coming earlier and staying later with each new day.

Consider Her Ways

On this final day of the year, the ant continues to forage for the last vestiges of a fruitful autumn, lest a long winter catch her unawares. "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." Proverbs 6:6.

Winter is a Harsh Mistress

Comes now Winter, a harsh mistress, bleeding the life and color out of all who dare withstand her.

Canon Rebel T2i, EF 50mm f/1.8 II, 1/250s

I liberated this post's title from a similarly titled Robert Heinlein novel; dissimilarly, I suppose, this blog isn't likely to win any Hugo Awards