Winter Walk

Today I didn't get too far and wide, but even a brief walk on a semi-sunny winter's day yielded refreshing natural beauty.  The snow and ice from previous storms all disappeared making it easier to traverse and enjoy the outdoors. The melt led to a cascade of activity in our little mountain stream.  It's rushing and pooling and spilling its banks, its gurgling waters sparkling in the sunlight.

 

While most of the trees are bare, we have an abundance of graceful mountain laurel bushes, more like small trees, that pepper the woods with their bright evergreen leaves.  Along with the lichen that covers many of the large oak trees and rocks, there's actually quite a bit of color enhancing the otherwise dull palette of winter grays.

 

 



Even the dried berries of the crepe myrtle trees growing in front of our home offer an interesting contrast to the pale winter hues.

 

The ever steady flow of birds to our feeders are a continual source of amusement for all of us, including our cat Jasper who loves to sit at the window and watch their coming and goings.