Ice storm: icy branches, icicles, ducks, hummingbirds

We had an ice storm last night. This morning, everything is covered in a layer of ice, with some powdery snow on top. Only about half an inch of each, but it was enough to knock out our power (and for everyone else in the region).

Some icy branches:

Tree branches weighed down; they’re normally high enough to walk under, not touching the ground:

Icy willow branches:

I lifted up a sample, looking edge on: a layer of ice with a layer of snow on top:

The pond is starting to freeze. Just slushy at present, with some liquid on the edges:

The ramp into the duck house is icy, but they can make it, so still have access to food:

Icicles on the duck house:

The ducks:

Icicles on the bird food box:

And the gazebo and deck:

The hummingbird feeders were frozen; I brought this one inside to defrost:

Since we don’t have power now, and thus can’t use the heater, I’m alternating the hummingbird feeders. We can heat water to make the sugar syrup using a kettle on our gas stove. They’re very hungry, unsurprisingly:

I’ll go out to the chicken coop every few hours to poke at their water dispensers, to break up the ice.

Our internet is working for now, powered by a UPS, though we’ll probably turn it off soon to preserve the battery. Fun times!