Dawn Sun Pillar

Temps below zero finally. I know it probably seems strange to hear it is good that it's cold but it's necessary to maintain the Northwoods. The extreme cold will kill off more southern flora and fauna that would like to extend their territory. I can do w/o poisonous snakes, termites, and kudzu (to name a few nasties.) Many perennial seeds need to go through a period of cold stratification to germinate. If temps don't stay cold enough, hibernating animals can wake up. That will kill a bat and cause other types of animals to use up valuable fat reserves. Plus ice crystals in the air cause really cool phenomena like this sun pillar. OK, I might be a little happier than usual about the cold - I can stay in where it's warm tomorrow morning.