Not So Jolly Holly

Once upon a time some other tree stood next to this old holly tree. The holly grew against and partially around the other tree, then the mystery tree died...

and left behind some pretty odd looking scars on the holly. Doesn't this one sort of remind you of a face?

American Holly, Ilex opaca

Scenes from Sunday's Stroll

It has been a busy week. Monday found us cleaning the house, Tuesday found us shopping most of the day, Tuesday evening our first house guest rolled in, Wednesday the cooking began and house guest two arrived, Thursday featured still more cooking and the arrival of yet another family member plus the big feast, Friday food was still a priority with figuring out what to do with the left-overs, Saturday all our visitors packed up and headed home, Sunday morning found us cleaning the house once again while Sunday afternoon found us taking a walk.

Won't you walk with us a while and see a few of the things we saw...

Mysterious trails through the water and duckweed. Wonder who swam here?

A tupelo gum berry atop a pile of shed cypress needles.

Woolly aphids on an alder branch.

The pond looking pretty in the afternoon sun.

A green treefrog nestled behind the book in the phone booth.

Sunlight streaming through fiery oak leaves.

An acorn-munching turkey left evidence of his presence (that's a turkey dropping -- probably from a male as suggested by the j-shape of the dropping).

One of several cricket frogs out enjoying the warm November afternoon.

A rolled log revealed this striking red-backed salamander and another salamander busy regenerating its tail.

Fate was not kind to this earth snake. By the looks of the puncture wounds I found on the body and the fact that the snake wasn't even partially eaten, I have to think a house cat caused its demise. (Please keep your cats indoors.)

Sometimes, when you stop to take a picture of one thing you get something you don't expect. I was after the Lycopodium, the harvestman was a bonus.

The nor'easter we experienced a couple of weeks ago left plenty of sign of its passing. Note the dark high water mark on the trees along the creek.

Almost stepped on this little cricket frog. He wasn't too keen on being caught, but changed his mind when he discovered the hand that held him was nice and warm. I had to shoo him off!

As the light got low and the air started to cool, we headed for home -- it's just around the bend there...

Thanks for taking the time to walk with us.

Stupor

Off-spring experiencing a Thanksgiving dinner induced stupor...it makes a mom happy ;)

 

A Froggy Day in November

The trail I've been working on has proved to be quite froggy. Scranton spied this leopard frog in the leaves earlier this week when he walked the proposed route with me. Luckily for me, November leopards are not nearly as nimble as summer ones so I was able to get a picture.

A couple of years ago, in this same area, I found a frog that I was never able to identify. Hopefully I'll find some more of the same kind and finally ID it. Can't have some mystery frog wondering around out there now can we?

 

Tidbits From My Day

My camera and I are not getting along. For some reason it is refusing to focus as well as I would like. Perhaps it is feeling neglected of late or is experiencing a mid-life crisis. Whatever is going on with it, the bottom line is that it just isn't giving me the results I am after. That being said, here are a few images of some of the critters that shared my space today...

Lead phase red-backed salamander

young pine woods treefrog

swallowtail chrysalis - not sure which swallowtail...probably tiger

and lastly, a camel cricket -- again, I have no idea which species, heck I don't even know which genus. We'll just call it a "hoppy bug" and leave it at that.

I hope your Wednesday was wonderful. Mine was pretty darn pleasant.

Not a Dog

For you SIL, a portrait of Ratdog -- the only chihuahua I have ever liked ;)

 

Rock

Such exotic stuff, rock. It's something we don't have around here except in the form of gravel that's been brought in. Whenever I'm around rock I just have to touch it. This weekend we made a quick jaunt west and got to see lots of rock. If I have an opportunity I'll be back to tell you about our trip.

 

 

 

Rain, Rain, Rain

No pictures to share today - too much rain and too much wind. We are dealing with the remnants of Ida and as she moves off the coast she's kicking up a nor'easter for us to enjoy. It is supposed to rain all day, all night, all day tomorrow, all tomorrow night, and then begin to taper off on Friday. Such is life.

Treebeard and I plan to experience a change in altitude come Saturday. Perhaps I will have something to share with you come Sunday.

Oh, and a special note to Woverman...there will be no pictures of the new building, inside or out. Sorry I can't give you a taste. I guess if you want to see it, you'll just have to visit!

This Afternoon

I made a quick run out on the trail this afternoon on my bike. I am trying out a couple of different runs for a series of bike "hikes" that I plan to lead. As you can see, things are still pretty green here. Some trees, like the sycamores that are along this trail, have dropped their leaves but others are holding tight.

 

The growth along the boardwalk (no bikes!) is still mostly green, too. Here and there a maple has turned yellow.

 

But out along the canal, if you don't look too far, you can find a spot of color. The trees look pretty when they reflect in the dark waters.

 

I have a few days off coming up after tomorrow. I will try to get out and get some "real" pictures. Maybe I will show you our new car...Treebeard and I have gone hybrid. We purchased a Prius last month. Once you get used to the whole no-key, no-ignition thing it's a pretty sweet ride.

Later.