”Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.“
Psalm 74:16-17 ESV
Last week, you may recall, our sunrise pic was provided by Pam, who took a short golf cart ride before sunrise and captured a super nice photo. That same morning, I left out before daylight and traveled about one half mile, climbed a steep ridge in the dark, and arrived on top before sunup. This is my cell phone photo. There was just too much effort for me not to display my work…although hers was much better, mine was somewhat different!
Winter days and winter pruning can make a garden look lonely and desolate. The crepe myrtles receive little or no pruning. But, there’s life out there, and the evidence will be showing up soon. I later decided to take a hike through the trails and woods and see what winter looks like beyond the garden.
One of my paths takes me high on a steep ridge where I can look down on part of the trail I was just on minutes before. The road is only used by 2 people, but sure looks worn. I guess we travel it more than I realize!
As I walked, I thought I would keep an eye out for anything green. I discovered something emerging from the forest floor. Spotted wintergreen is a perennial native to Alabama. It will bear pastel flowers in the spring.
It was easy to spot a green vine from a distance, hanging among leafless limbs between a muddy river and a light brown leafy Chestnut tree!
Someone was waiting in anticipation for the golf cart arrival. I can assure you the excitement had nothing to do with the driver, but was expressly for the 3 little occupants who were coming for a visit and a planned party! The driver simply had an important job to complete promptly or be fired. I did well…I have been retained for now!
EK and big sister joined PJ for a Valentine tea party in the Sunshine Cottage. And, based on everything I have seen and been told, a lovely time was had by all. Her expression tells me things at this event went very well! As for the boys, WL and I rode some trails and also visited the neighbor’s cows. We had a good outing too!
Probably a lot of years represented here. Slowly returning to the earth from whence it came. Dust to dust!
Spotting more green amongst the dead leaves, I went further to investigate. I was not expecting this at all. I personally do not like root beer, but I do know about I.B.C. The Missouri based company began making root beer in 1919, taking advantage of prohibition. I brushed some leaves away and cleaned it up for the photo, but the bottle was in this spot. There should’ve been no one deep in these hardwoods for any reason for a long time. Maybe the bottle is very old? It’s on high ground so it didn’t wash or float here.
I located a small amount of green holly, seen behind this tree. Since this was another peephole tree, somewhat like the one featured in a previous post, I allowed the tree to take center stage. Pam was not around to peep through this one, however; that would have required a low uncomfortable position lying in the leaves!
Moss green in the winter woods is bright and glowing compared to the surroundings.
The color variations are really neat but not very noticeable from a distance. The bright green is dominant!
I also discovered several shades of green on the north face of this ridge. The hills are alive, with the sound of music, and other things!
This may be hard to distinguish, but if you are thinking moles, you are thinking correctly. I found a lot of these tunnels not far from the garden and yard. Not good. Last year we had moles invade the area around the Sunshine Cottage. They are very destructive and not that easy to eliminate.
I located what was clearly another popular area for our local flat tailed rodents. I sometimes wonder if beavers bite off more than they can chew? This might be evidence of that. Does any part of the tree trunk resemble horse or cattle hooves to you?
The large tree in this pic is near our front sidewalk. I raked leaves and put out pine bark for mulch in a nice space surrounding the tree. The next morning I walked by the window, glanced out, and I see some of our neighbors scratching and scattering my work all over the place. They did spot me standing in the window with a camera and fled the scene, but the damage was done!
Perhaps some things are harder in winter as far as photos are concerned, but February (and winter) sunsets can be magnificent. The prettiest sunsets might be those of winter!
A February throwback from 2020…HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Wishing you a peaceful and pleasant 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
Yes I saw the legs and hooves of cattle on your picture. And the moss is interesting, bright greens that you couldn’t miss and the brown on the north side where the sun doesn’t reach. The bottle is a keeper. That is some incline. And climbing it before sunrise could be dangerous. I would volunteer to be driver to go to that tea party. Where you live has an abundance of wild creatures that you get to see because you don’t live in a city. We have them also but it’s unusual to see them where we live. The day awakening pictures and going to sleep are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Great to hear from you Alice. Living in the country does have advantages, but also Alabama is the most biologically diverse state east of the Mississippi and 5th nationally. There’s a lot to see everywhere though. Hope you have a wonderful week!!
Butch and Pam
Your walks always yield interesting pics and an informative narrative. Those turkeys are really colorful. We see them here but we aren’t in their daily path. I always enjoy seeing them in a field but tearing up your hard work would create frustration for sure. Your sunrise and sunset pics are always pretty. The moss colors are so varied. I love root beer but it’s not nice to leave your bottle as litter (always carry a little grocery bag for your trash). Glad you’re feeling like taking some short hikes. Have a wonderful Sunday. Happy Valentine’s Day to you both! Clara❤️
Thanks Clara and happy Valentine’s Day to you too. We are apparently in the turkeys daily path. They were here again this morning. I kept that bottle and plan to see if any numbers on it reveal a date. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I love seeing the world through your keen eyes! The woods in winter are fascinating because I spot all sorts of things I normally would not see. And I don’t have to worry about ticks, ugh! We have some big patches of green moss too that are just beautiful. That was some trail you climbed, it looked rather daunting. A friend in the Lowcountry reports he now has a 70 acre lake thanks to some industrious beavers! Hope you have a great week!
Thanks Roxanne. No ticks is a plus. The path to that hill top is a challenge but does circle the base and angle up in a way not quite so steep. A 70 acre lake would cost a lot to build. Those nice beavers did it for free. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Love the sunrise through the trees, beautiful! The tree the beavers munched on does look like it has horse’s hoofs! I can’t wait to hear more about the girls Valentine tea, and it’s so nice that WL can do something with you so he doesn’t feel left out. I know it’s challenging to keep creatures away from your garden and it won’t be long before it is in bloom again! I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day ❤️
Thank Jenna. The tree did look like legs and hooves as soon as I spotted it. I’m thinking Pam will share more about that tea party. WL and I do boy things that he loves and it doesn’t require any prep like a tea party. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Always wonderful captures of nature at its best. Ahhh to know the girls still enjoy an old fashion tea party. Love the peep hole tree. Amazing nature. Happy Sunday and have a wonderful week ahead. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. I think the girls both young and older will always enjoy their tea parties. A Happy Sunday to you too!
Butch and Pam
The winter garden has a haunting beauty and shares the serenity of your other photos. They
don’t make root beer bottles like that anymore, so I would call it collectible. So happy you have the stamina to climb those ridges and give us another view of your surroundings. I see the calves
legs/hooves and marvel at the brilliant mantles of the turkeys. EK has mastered the ladylike pose
of holding one’s teacup and enjoying the event. Thank you for this enjoyable Sabbath tour.
Mary, as always, I appreciate your comments. I kept the bottle so maybe I should just find a spot in the garden for it? We will give Emma your thoughts on her “teacup pose”. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Love the sunset photo, Butch. Yes, that tree does resemble hoofs! Wow, that trail as seen from above looks pretty treacherous for driving with a four-wheeler! I can see some kind of fence to the left, wondering if this is the trail between yours and Seth’s property? Regardless of where it’s sited, the kids must love those trips back and forth between your homes! Our neighbor across the street from us also has your kind of Zoysia grass. Soon it’ll come to life, sooner in your region, I’m certain. There’s a certain satisfaction to the appearance of the winter garden, don’t you think?
Wishing you and Pam a lovely Valentine’s Day.
Thanks for your comments Rita. No, that trail goes a different direction from the path to Seth’s house. This one is a bit steep and gets muddy along the section you see. It does require either walking or a 4 wheeler or side by side like our Polaris Ranger after a lot of rain. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam,
I couldn’t wait to sit at my P.C. to write you (I’m still unable to comment on Reader, but so glad I can be here!). Thank you for these beautiful winter scenes. The sunsets have been extraordinary! Your sunset photo is stunning it is different than Pam’s, yet has its uniqueness and beauty, too)! I’ve always been a fan of moss. Like you, I’m not much into root beer, but I love Missouri (tee hee). And you have some real turkeys for neighbors! But not those cuties that are helping leave such a beautiful trail–to the best place ever—the cottage for a tea party! That just lifts my spirits typing it! I love how you “see” the world around you, cultivate its goodness (even when in dormancy), and share it with all of us! It makes my heart and soul so happy! Much love, blessings, and prayers! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you Karla for such kind words. I never knew the history of IBC until I got curious after finding the old bottle. I hope my taller unfeathered neighbors don’t receive misinformation and think I said all my neighbors are turkeys, ha! Thanks for your prayers and a Happy Valentine’s Day to you! Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Butch, Your SSS posts are always so interesting. We have struggled with moles in our grass. What have you found effective?
Sunrises are so beautiful but you have to be quick. They don’t last long.
Happy Valentine week. Bonnie
Thank so much Bonnie. I’m trying the spring loaded trap you place over a mole tunnel but that method is not for everyone. I understand from others it’s fairly effective. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
So pretty and beautiful even in dormant stage. I love to see the forest come alive with green showing through all the brown. I also like the ‘path of love’ going through to the home of the little ones. I, too see the hooves of an animal on the beaver tree. Aren’t God ‘s creatures amazing? including the problematic moles. Bless you and Pam and your lovely family.
Bless you Kari and thanks for your comments. I agree, even the problem creatures are something! Those moles live in the dark all the time. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my gosh, that tree totally looked like horses hooves – although I don’t think I would have noticed had you not pointed it out. The sunrise photo is beautiful and so is the sunset – always love those pics. Bits of green here and there, perhaps a sure sign that spring is coming? Yay. We have some winter left to get through here, although it’s not been terrible. The tree that is rotting was really striking. EK is adorable and I can’t wait to hear about the tea party. Have a great week you two and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you Kim. I know you do have a bit more winter left than we do but glad to hear it’s not been terrible. I’m waiting to hear about the tea party too. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
What a beautiful day for a ride to pick up the special ones! Nature provides so many wonders and you seem to just keep finding them!
Thank you, Mary. There are many wonders when we keep our eyes open!
Pam & Butch
Good Morning! We have just a few bulbs sprouting through thefrozen grass and snowy patches hanging on. Enjoyed your photos.
Thanks Linda. Our bulbs are really coming on this week. Have a blessed day!
Butch and Pam
Hi Linda! I am sure it won’t be long before the bulbs will push through!
Such interesting things you find on your morning walks! Thank you for sharing them with us here. Your blog is such a blessing!
Thank you Cheryl. Your response is always a blessing to us. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam