Where is a coyote when you need one?

This is not a good sign.

Freshly fallen snow, the first of the season that has been a drought year and what do I see? Upon closer inspection I noticed that the critter has been munching on my prized roses. The bush on the right is a "tasty" Canadian shrub rose 'John Davis'. You can even see the droppings if you look closely! :-(

Most of my roses are either buried or somewhat protected from the invasion of the winter rabbits. These plastic collars are filled with bagged top soil that I bought on clearance for 99 cents a bag. I do this to protect the plants from the quick change of the freeze/thaw cycle. I think it really works. I put the collars up when the ground begins to freeze and then fill them so the added soil will also freeze quickly. The white color reflects the sun seems to lessen the damaging effects of the January thaw.