Frost flowers occur when ground temperatures are still warm while air temperatures fall to freezing. The cold air freezes water transpired by some plants. Frost flowers, or ice ribbons as they are also called, are the result. No two frost flowers look exactly the same. In this one, I see the form of a blubird, complete with wings, head, beak, and even an eye.
In this part of the country, November is a good time to find frost flowers. I look near streams and creeks where yellow ironweed and white crownbeard grows, but you can find them along roadways and in fields as well.