Beauty

Incrediable

I am living a life I never could have imagined as a child. I have always been so deeply connected to animals and nature.  Each year I see more wildlife then the year before, it's all been a dream come true for me.  Last night I transported and released 3 Screech Owls for a Rehabber.  Two were released on my land and the third was released where it was found two weeks ago.  While we were at the land two different bears foraged their way down the river.  My friend Matt Zeitler gets credit for these pictures.

 

 

Bears at Turtle Point Road.

My gift from the squirrels

Once again the squirrels have done a magnificent job planting sunflowers all over my yard!  They are all blooming now.  I get to enjoy the beauty of the flowers now, then the beauty of the birds eating the seeds later. 

Doe

I had a wild adrenaline nature moment this morning.  I was just starting my hike with Monty, when he ran up the trail ahead of me. Moments later he comes barreling down the trail, and I thought to myself, what has he done because he looked scared?! Seconds later a doe is coming right behind him.  She is chasing Monty!  I had to make my self look big, wave my hands and YELL to get her to stop coming at Monty.  She would not let us continue up the trail.  I actually picked up a stick.  She was pawing and walking towards us. She must have a fawn, she is some good mom!   I have seen this doe many times over the last few weeks, she is not overly wary of humans and stands her ground and watches as you hike past her.  I have never seen her with a fawn.  There are no pictures of this incident as I was about to crap my pants!  LOL

Todays Nature

On this mornings hike I noticed how many of the mushrooms had been eaten overnight.  There must be a amazing amount of species of animals and insects that depend on mushrooms for food. 

More mushrooms popped up overnight. 

Monotropa uniflora, also known as the ghost plant, Indian pipe, or corpse plant, is a herbaceous perennial plant although it reminds you of a mushroom. 

 Garter snake on trail.

Garter snake at home, feasting on our toads. 

 Resident Bull Frog. 

A couple of Green Frogs. 

Fungi type of day!

Seemingly overnight the forest is full of all kinds of fungi.  It's been very humid with lots of wonderful thunderstorms several days out of each week.  The temps have only been in the low 80s, so far a wonderful Summer.  The forest is so lush and green, berry bushes loaded with fruit. I'm enjoying each precious moment that I get to spend hiking with my pup.  Life is good. 

This is what I need

Sometimes being an Empath makes for very difficult living.  I get myself far too upset about what others are going through, animals and humans. Several people I know well are suffering beyond belief right now, there is nothing I can do for them. I feel sad and hopeless.  I don't often realize that there is one thing that makes me get back to whats important in my life, and that it is something very simple.....a walk in the woods.  I've been lazy this week and only heading to the ponds so my pup can play fetch and swim.  Not nearly enough time immersed in nature to keep me grounded and feeling okay and normal.  I went out today and literately a half hour later I am fine again.  Nature is medication for me. Now...new thought, I want to continue being able to hike alone for a very long time, what can I implement this very moment to keep myself healthy and fit enough to continue until I'm very old?  At my age I can no longer take for granted natural fitness and health.  Time to really pay attention to what I'm doing to my body each and every day. 

My Pictures of the Super Moon.

Waywayanda State Park

Today we went on a nice little hike in Waywayanda State Park.  We went to see a small grave yard where some of our friend's family is buried.  When we first set out we saw a bear, the dogs were great and didn't chase it, so we got a great look at him.  Later right when we turned around to start back, we came upon a very large Timber Rattlesnake.  As Monty approached it I could see a huge snake, and my first thought was Boa!  I quickly realized Timber!  Gratefully my dog knows the command stay and he did.  The sound of the Rattle was really cool.  We also saw a Garter and a baby Dekays Brown snake.  Great hike!