Trees & More

Winter makes it easier to see the "bones" of the landscape.

I only recently noticed this tree. At some point it nearly fell over and the top broke off, but a side branch then became the main trunk. I'm going to have to "core" the tree and look at its history!

Less than a hundred feet away from the previous trees are these two "twisty" specimens.

Until recently, this blow-down was a hollow log about 20 feet long, but most of the log collapsed leaving only the hollow stump end.

A small herd of about 5 deer have been regular visitors to our "meadow" (septic drain field), I think because it's a south-facing slope and the snow melts before other places. They also came up close to the house.

Another look at the deer. My asparagus beds are just off to the left. I've got to protect them this spring!

One of our trail cams caught a squirrel leaping across the snowy road.

More than wildlife can be caught by our trail cams. This was a particularly good picture of Dakota.

Jackson River Scenic Trail

With unusually warm weather last week and a need for more exercise and to get in shape for a walking tour in England in a few months, we've spent some time hiking along the Jackson River Scenic Trail. Walking (as opposed to bicycling) affords more opportunities to see the details.

A hooded merganser and a mallard swim in the cold Jackson River.

Without a skull I'm pretty clueless when it comes to bones. Rabbit?

Recent rains made for a lot of drippy rocks along the trail with colorful vegetation.

And rainbows in front of the rocks.

We knew there was a "swinging bridge" across the river just below Indian Draft, but without leaves on the trees, it was possible to see it and walk to it from the trail.