”How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.“
Psalm 139:17-18 ESV
I so enjoyed a hike early last week on a cold afternoon. I walked a path that I don’t travel as often as I should. I was simply wanting to take in winter scenes and decided to head east. It was about 30 degrees, but the pics probably make it look a bit warmer. The thorns on this rogue Bradford pear are really noticeable in January!
I call these pines “Three Sisters”. The triplets are standing on the bank of the river where they’ve stood for as long as I can remember. For a few weeks in winter, the sun rises behind them and they are often seen in my sunrise photos. If I head out from the house and travel east a few hundred yards along one of the fence rows, I end up here. Wild turkeys love to roost in these trees.
Moving on to the northeast a short distance provides a nice winter view of the river. Unlike the other side, the bank is high and steep along this section on our side of the river. For a number of years, there was an active Bald Eagle nest in a large pine only a short walk upriver from here!
Do ferns grow 20 feet high on oak tree limbs? Yes they do, and while causing no harm to the tree. Having passed this tree numerous times, I had not given notice to these Resurrection Ferns. The dull gray clouds in the background yesterday allowed the fern and green moss to stand out !
The Resurrection Fern is common in the eastern U. S. This particular growth is the only one that I am aware of within walking distance of our house. Without moisture, this plant will curl up and appear dead. It can lose 75% of it’s moisture content and live, something not many living things can survive. Upon the first rain after a long dry period, the dead looking fronds uncurl and become green again, hence the name, Resurrection Fern! Some believe these plants can go years without moisture, and with one watering, spring to life.
Later last week it warmed up so I decided to go to the beach. Have I mentioned that we live less than 10 minutes from the beach? And, I had the entire place to myself. Of course when the weather warms in January, fog and rain aren’t far behind. I was just glad to get away from the crowds at this secluded location!
I had the freedom to place my umbrella and chairs at any spot.
To validate my beach experience a pic of a nearby seagull seemed appropriate. Truthfully, I don’t recall seeing gulls around much when I was younger, but they are plentiful in north Alabama now. Of the many types of gulls, I’m not certain there is one that is “officially” called a seagull, but they’re all seagulls to me. Many seagulls live nowhere near the sea!
Queen EM dropped by to have a look at her PJ’s Valentine table setting. She loves all the pretty stuff and also had no trouble tasting quite a few red, white, and pink M&M’s! (She’s my young Audrey Hepburn)
I know EM warmed you up after the foggy beach trip, but just in case…I only had to turn around at that viewing spot on the river to have this winter scene unfold. Lookout Mountain, the Appalachian foothills, and blue sky made me feel warm even on a cold late afternoon!
It was time to head to the house, but one final view over the hill caught my eye. Nothing is dead, only resting and waiting!
A group of gobblers were lined up by the drive when I walked back around the house. This must be a case of follow the leader. It is strange how these wild birds will ignore me like they did on this day, and on other occasions they are on the run if they spot me 200 yards away!
Winter in the cotton field.
This salamander may have emerged because of several rainy days in the 60’s and even a 70 degree Friday. This is a Red eft, the middle, or terrestrial stage (juvenile) of the Red-spotted Newt. The adult Newt will be aquatic. The salamander may appear large in this photo, but it is very tiny, about an inch and a half long at most!
I located another beaver colony and a cozy winter home they had constructed. Maybe bungalow is a better term, or even a cottage on the water!
This old red barn has our initial but it’s not our barn. Perhaps the owner would sell us the “R”. Like our red barn, this could really be restored to be a beauty. It is difficult to locate people who are experienced and who do this type restoration work!
Just up the road from the red barn was this church with it’s red roof. I had never traveled this particular route in our neighboring county, but even though it was a cloudy, rainy day, I decided to take a drive in the country. Glad I did. I only needed to find a little red schoolhouse!
White Pelicans have returned this year, and we have seen a lot of them, but no opportunities for great photos. This throwback is from this past week, three years ago. Clearly the birds have located a school of minnows and are huddled in a feeding frenzy. Other pelicans spot this and fly in because they know that dinner is being served!
I wasn’t pleased with my sunset photos from last week as we finished the week very cloudy and rainy. I will leave you with another early in the week pic made just before sundown…looking north however, and not west!
February is almost upon us. Praying you experience a pleasant and peaceful week!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
The beach must have been wonderful to enjoy the view and the quiet.
I loved seeing the Baptist church!
Such peaceful scenes! Thank you!
Thank you Mrs White. Not real beach weather but quiet is sometimes needed in this hectic world. Have a peaceful week!
Butch and Pam
You live in a marvelous area, mountains, a beach, wild turkeys and more. Am I to understand you took a chair and umbrella that day to the beach? That tells me you are almost or fully recovered. I pray so🙏 . My goodness EM is so pretty. She truly does the name Aubrey Hepburn justice. I love the red barn and Baptist church all dressed in red. Don’t you wonder why the family that owned the property with the barn have allowed it to be abandoned? The start that is. The tiny salamander matches the red barn. Have the most joyful week.
Thanks so much Alice. Unfortunately any umbrella needed for our past few days would be to stay dry. I have a ways to go but feeling some better for sure. Appreciate your prayers. Have a blessed week.
Butch and Pam
So interesting about the Resurrection Fern! Love the turkeys and the old red barn~ the photo of EM is my favorite, she is growing into a beautiful young lady! Happy almost February, I must say I am ready to bid January weather goodbye!
Thanks for your comments Jenna. I agree that saying farewell to January weather won’t break my heart either. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
You captured the winter scenes perfectly. I love the old barn and the Baptist church. It would be wonderful if someone could restore the old barns as they’re so pretty to spot along the highway as well as functional. The beach looks inviting even in the cold weather; although along water in the winter is even chillier! EM does look like Audrey Hepburn. Her eyes are beautiful as well as her sweet smile. The mountain scene is gorgeous! You always find a variety of animals on your walks which are all interesting. That fern and moss is so colorful against the winter sky. Have a great week! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. We love old barns and really need to get someone to work on ours; searching for the right person for that type work. Wind across the water was a bit chilly. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam! I enjoyed seeing all of the nature from this morning. I had never heard of a Resurrection fern. It is such an interesting plant. The photo of the red barn is so pretty! I adore red barns. They remind me of my paternal grandparents who had one on their farm. Miss Ella Mae is absolutely beautiful! She is growing up so fast! I wish you both a most blessed week ahead! Happy Sunday!
Good to hear from you Shannon. That fern is quite interesting. I knew about the fern but had forgotten a lot so I was prompted to refresh my memory of some details. Have a peaceful week!
Butch and Pam
I have never seen a Resurrection Fern, how marvelous they are! Love the photo with the turkeys, and the seagull. You always have such nice Southern Sunday posts.
Carole, thank you for your kind comments. You would think that fern would be very damaging to trees but it is not a parasite so no harm. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
EM is adorable as ever. The Resurrection Fern is amazing. Love always how you capture nature at its best. Have a great new week ahead. Happy Sunday. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. The fern has caught a lot of attention today, a very interesting plant. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I always find wending down your Sabbath path so illuminating and comforting, with Butch as guide.
I get to see things otherwise unavailable to these eyes. Just love your captures of the Church, red barn
and the lovely EM. Fascinating to read the details about the Resurrection Fern … what a Creator!
Pam, you also are a guide to goodness and beauty in having EM (and us) join you at the Valentine table.
Time speaks to us through Everyday living. A blessed day to all.
Mary, kind words from you are always encouraging. I become more amazed at and about our Creator every time I step or even look outside. Wishing you a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Hi friends. What beautiful landscapes! EM is so beautiful! Those ressurrection ferns are common in my country and they are called ” american ferns”! Have a lovely week ahead. Happy Sunday.
Thanks Maristella and thank you for sharing about the fern being common there. I had no idea. Wishing you a lovely week as well!
Butch and Pam
The resurrection fern is beautiful, and I enjoyed your explanation very much. The Queen certainly is blooming and growing even if nothing else is! Every season has its own beauty, and I enjoy the starkness of winter (and having a break from mowing and watering). Hope you have a pleasant, relaxing week.
The resurrection fern is beautiful, and I enjoyed your explanation very much. The Queen certainly is blooming and growing even if nothing else is! Every season has its own beauty, and I enjoy the starkness of winter (and having a break from mowing and watering). Hope you have a pleasant, relaxing week.
Roxanne, always good to hear from you. Winter does give a nice break from all that yard work. I still have to mow and weed eat a little but my fault for planting rye grass. Have a peaceful week!
Butch and Pam
That’s fascinating about the ferns growing on the tree branches. I had no idea! And what a wonderful sight, those white pelicans! Happy week!
Wishing you a happy week too Jeanie. The pelicans are quite a sight especially bunched up like that!
Butch and Pam
I love your beautiful walk – God’s creation is just so amazing! I just love to walk, and see what the Lord has given for us to see around us and enjoy! Many blessings to you!
Blessings to you also Marilyn. So glad you enjoy walking and I agree there’s so much to see!
Butch and Pam
Pam and Butch, i didn’t get a chance to look at your post yesterday as I was knee-deep in football games after church. But the excitement and joy at the KC Chiefs winning and going to the Super Bowl keeps me on a high. LOL. we do love our sports. The pics are so beautiful especially the beautiful pic of a “younger Audrey Hepburn”. She is so pretty and her eyes are so expressive. Lovely. Also like the turkeys and can relate to the silly actions of turkeys. Sometimes they are flighty and other times they “feed” in peace close to humans. I had about 10 who used to go across my back yard twice a day when we lived in KC. Bless you both.
Kari, thank you for your comments. Living at one time in KC explains why you might love sports and be a Chiefs fan. We have turkeys in the yard or fields about every day! Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Amazing photos Butch – even on a cold day. The beach is perfect. The Bradford pear is quite interesting – I had no idea that pear trees had thorns! EM truly is a younger AH – so pretty. The turkeys are so funny and the pelicans are indeed having a feast. The Resurrection fern is fascinating. Thanks for all the beautiful landscapes and wishing you both a lovely week!
Thanks for your kind words Kim. There’s a story about those Bradford (Callery) pears. Not supposed to reproduce or have thorns. Read about that if you have time, it’s interesting. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Hello Folks, Another great stroll with you again. I always enjoy seeing your littles. I do agree that EM is a young Audrey Hepburn.
The pelicans are a gorgeous picture along with the red barn and church!
Thank you so much for sharing your views. Happy week to you!
P.S. I am late to comment as we were out of town celebrating my son’s birthday.
Thank you Nancy. I appreciate your comments and hope you enjoyed that birthday celebration. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Thanks for taking me on a lovely sojourn through nature in your part of the world! Those ferns are really something. And yes, your granddaughter is a little Audrey Hepburn!!
The resurrection fern made me think of how a dry and thirsty soul can sometimes be revived by a refreshing word of kindness. It can come alive and regain a new hope for life, even after it has been discouraged and disheartened for so long. It also made me think of the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13 and how it was about to be cut down and the man asked to just have one more year to fertilize and work with it to see if it could be revived. Amazing how one watering can make the fern come back to life! I am so glad you shared that story. I got so much out of it. I pray you continue on your healing journey and are soon back to full strength. God bless you and your family!
Thanks so much Cheryl for sharing your thoughts. God bless you and your family!
Butch and Pam