Wonder

Treebeard and I went for a wonder in the woods this morning. You know about wondering in the woods -- "Wonder how come that tree grew that way...Wonder what critter dug that hole...Wonder how we're gonna get across that mucky spot..."

Below are a few of our wonders.

An American holly growing in a baldcypress "planter"

A shelf fungus that grew around a briar cane.

Squeeze play -- two American beeches putting the squeeze on a sourwood

A little higher up, the trees aren't so tight.

An old beech just not ready to call it quits. Note the sproutings from the stump.

A crayfish looking for a little stability in life...

He built his chimney between two cypress knees

Back at the house, looks like we've got squatters! Bet it's a vulture or two using the chimney top for a roosting site. Wonder if they make diapers for vultures ;)

This first day of February is beautiful here in the swamp.
The weather predictions for the rest of the week don't sound so promising.
I'm off to refresher training first thing tomorrow and won't return until Thursday night. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it doesn't snow on us while we are requalifying with our firearms. I really hate shooting prone in the snow ;)