I enjoy bird watching while out in nature, especially during the winter months after the trees have shed their leaves and their branches are bare. The exposed landscape enhances visibility, allowing for a clearer view of the birds as well as the intricate designs formed by the branches, adding a unique beauty to the scenery.
“Winter perches like a bird. Wings tucked in so the soul is heard.” ~Angie Weiland-Crosby
While out hiking, it is fun to find trees and root systems that have twisted and bent in interesting ways or that are oddly shaped, often for the sake of survival. The unusualness tends to add character to the landscape.
“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.” ~Alice Walker
Since our house faces the west, we get to see some beautiful sunsets when we step out on the porch in the evening. Between our house and the sunset stands a tree. There was a time when it was a pretty tree with two long, full branches and companion trees standing at its side. However, at least a couple of times over the last few years, straight-line winds have come through and done major damage to parts of the tree and taken out some of the other trees. Still, today, the tree is thriving, and continues to stand strong in the foreground of many a sunset photo.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
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)
“There’s something very magical about water and what happens to it when it freezes. I don’t think there’s anything else in the world, perhaps in our universe, that is quite like ice.” ~Ira Flatow
Many of the flowering trees are in bloom right now in West Tennessee, adding striking color to the landscape and heralding the coming of spring.
“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.” ~A. C. Swinburne
There’s something comforting about looking out across the field and seeing the strong, towering arms of the oak trees stretching heavenward. Their strength and beauty often serve as a source of wonder and inspiration for me.
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” ~Peter Marshall
Of winter’s lifeless world each tree
Now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer’s secret
Deep down within its heart.
~Charles G. Stater
“Of all man’s works of art, a cathedral is greatest.
A vast and majestic tree is greater than that.”
~Henry Ward Beecher
“Each moment of the year has its own beauty . . . a picture which was never before and shall never be seen again.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
walking on a country road 