💌From My Nest to Yours

Hello Reader,

February has felt a little surprising this year. Florida, like much of the country, has been hit with freezing temperatures that asked a lot from everything living outdoors, even as so much of it quietly adapted. Not the kind of cold we usually joke about down here, but several days of true winter that required some real-time adjusting—from all of us.

🌿Nature Right Now

After multiple nights below freezing, much of my garden took a hit. A lot of it was wiped out, including tomato plants that were thriving just days before.

That part was hard. Watching healthy plants disappear overnight, instead of slowly winding down the way I expected, wasn’t easy. My sweet husband approached covering them with the care and precision of an engineer, doing everything he possibly could—and even then, winter had other plans.

Still, there was no choice but to pivot. I got a jump on my spring crops (yes, including more tomatoes), and leaned into the fact that many of the plants in my garden are Florida winter crops anyway. Those, thankfully, have held on much better through the cold.

✨Reflections of Wonder

What’s amazed me most during this cold snap is how the animals in my backyard continue on.

The birds puff themselves up, conserve warmth, and keep moving. Even my little Ruby-throated Hummingbird has continued stopping by daily for food, something that still feels incredible to witness in weather like this. And the squirrels have been especially entertaining, navigating unfamiliar icy surfaces with plenty of slipping, sliding, and persistence. 🤭

During these chilly days, I also noticed a new visitor at my feeder. A Yellow-throated Warbler. They aren’t common at backyard feeders, so I’m fairly certain the cold played a role in its visit. Even better, it was a lifer for me—my first time seeing one in real life! A small, unexpected joy tucked into a larger challenging stretch.

👀Behind the Binoculars

This period of unusual weather naturally shifted how I spent my time outside. Some moments were about watching from a (warm) distance, others about filming when the opportunity appeared, and plenty were simply about standing still long enough to notice who kept showing up despite the cold. Not everything needs to be recorded to be meaningful.

🕊️Until Next Time

Even when winter arrives stronger than expected, it doesn’t stay forever. I hope you find a quiet moment outside this week that reminds you of that. Those moments have a way of showing up when we least expect them.

Take care, Courtney | Naturally Courtney 🌸 ​ 📔 Backyard Birdwatching Starter Guide​ 🌿 NaturallyCourtney.me​ © Naturally Courtney. All writing, photos, and videos are original work. All rights reserved.

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