Clearing out

We finally had a couple of days of sunshine before Easter and were able to get out on some of the back roads to view nature.  The theme of our drive seemed to be “animals hightailing it out of sight”, as many of the animals were skittish and in a hurry to make a quick retreat.

“Timing has a clear and loud voice.  At the right time, step out and the sound will be heard by all.”  ~Daniel Evans

Busy squirrels

I wish I had a dollar for every pecan tree seedling that I have pulled out of the flower pots in my backyard.  The squirrels have a habit of bringing pecans from other people’s yards and burying them in the pots on our deck in the fall.  Then in the spring, when the squirrels fail to retrieve them, the nuts sprout and grow.  Our backyard is too small to support pecan trees, but I’m pretty sure that we would have a whole grove by now if we had planted them all.

“Millions of trees in the world are accidentally planted by squirrels who plant nuts, then forget where they hid them.  Do good and forget.  It’ll grow some day.”  ~Anonymous

Backward glance

We stopped to let this Red-eared Slider cross the road along the Mississippi levee.  When it was safely across, it stopped and gave us a backward glance as we passed by.

“There are those who pass like ships in the night, who meet for a moment, then sail out of sight with never a backward glance of regret;  folks we know briefly then quickly forget.  Then there are friends who sail together, through quiet waters and stormy weather, helping each other through joy and through strife.  And they are the kind who give meaning to life.”  ~Unknown

Red-tailed Hawk

A couple of Red-tailed Hawks  — one sitting high atop a tree along a quiet country road, and the other soaring overhead in a secluded area near Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.

“Each life needs its own quiet place.”  ~Melody Beattle

Tracks in the snow

It’s fun to spot animal tracks in the new fallen snow.  Wildlife is all around us, but we don’t always get the chance to see it.  Footprints in the snow share a story of their presence and activity.

“The future lies before you, like a field of fallen snow;
Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.”
~Unknown

Surrounded by snow and ice

After a wintry cold spell, we once again visited Reelfoot Lake this past weekend and were amazed by the beautiful ice and snow formations surrounding the cypress trees.

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently?  And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.'”  ~Lewis Carroll (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)