Japanese maples make beautiful winter silhouettes and this tree will only get better with age.

This photo is of two Japanese lanterns that my mother imported from Indonesia. They were carved out of Volcanic rock. The small figure to the right is a "happy god" from the island of Cheju Do in Korea. It is also carved from volcanic rock. The tree framed by the two lanterns is another Crimson Queen Japanese maple.

This Japanese lantern is cast concrete. I wanted a Japanese lantern to cover our septic tank lid and this one was the perfect size. That is a Boulevard Cyprus to the left of the lantern with a mugho pine also on the left. On the right is "Morning Light" Miscanthes. This is my favorite of the perennial ornamental grasses. Unfortunately I had already trimmed it for spring since this photo was taken in March.

Below are photos of cardinals in the snow

Above:

Male Cardinal in a white dogwood with Sassafras trees in the background.

Upper Right:

Female Cardinal in Chinese dogwood.

Lower Right:

Male Cardinal on pom pom juniper