Walking In The Woods

It's my mother's fault I love walking in the woods so much. She and her sister Marcella would pack a picnic lunch of whatever they had on hand and head for Tolliver Hole. I never had to be asked twice if I wanted to go. I knew that the long leisurely walk would include all kinds of looking for treasures. Not treasures you bring home but mostly the kind you stop and admire. Like a woodpecker pounding away on a tree, or mushrooms growing on a log. Oh, the beauty of it all.

Recently, I had the pleasure of walking in the woods with my brother Sidney and sister Jo Nell in rural Kentucky. Now with a camera in hand, I can bring back some of the treasures I find. Here are a few from that walk in the woods.

Walking The Back Forty

This is an open field bordering Jo Nell's land. I thought the colors were pretty with just a hint of green grass contrasting against last year's orange sagebrush.

Emulating Butterfly Wings

While walking I remarked that surely we would find the season's FIRST morel mushrooms. We didn't, but I found lots of beautiful fungi along the way. The one above reminded me of butterflies, while the one below looks like the beautiful ruffles you see adorning skirts worn by women at square dance festivals.

Ruffles For Dancing

There He Is

The sounds of birds are one of the real joys of walking in the woods. It's always such a challenge to find them among all the tree branches. This woodpecker was so noisy he was easy to locate.

The Rock Tumbler

After the previous day's rain, the creek was full of rushing water. Sidney says that springtime rains like this loosens new rock. New rocks like the ones below to build fireplaces, swimming pools, walkways and more!

The Rock Study

After one of the harshest winters anyone can remember, last year's leaves are still hanging on!

Still Hanging On

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