Closely observed under grey skies

January may not be the greenest, brightest or most exciting month for Northern Hemisphere gardeners but it does have hidden gems & pops of colour. If not for my daily commitment to spend a few moments behind the lens (I joined this 365 group on January 1st), I suspect I would overlook or undervalue beauties like these:

...one shiny, black berry nestled in the grassy fronds

... tiny mustard-yellow flowers warming up the grey, mid-January light.

Top photo: Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens')

Bottom photo: Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)

The garden in winter - subdued, at rest, but never dull