Frost!

When I stepped out to take a photo of the white-frosted dock, a little flock of migrant ducks dived out beyond it.  Only surfaces up in the air are white, proving once again that "bridge freezes before roadway."  Of course, this is only crystallized dew, not a ground freeze.  Chickadees are up and about. 

An hour later, the chickadees have been joined by cardinals and finches and a whole flock of white-throated sparrows.  Geese are out flying and paddling.  An egret flew into a pine across the creek.  A spotted cucumber beetle landed on the window!  More sparrows, this time with juncos came for lunch in the mulch.  A female cardinal guarded the feeder. 

Last fall, the first frost was November 19, so it is ten days later this year.