Ice Flow

I don't think of Missouri as having ice flows. But this rock outcropping shows that water will go down to bedrock and then run along the top of the rock. It freezes as it comes out of the ground.

The ice is not flowing but as the water comes out of the ground it freezes as it falls.

Old Beaver Activity

Here is an old cut that has been here for awhile.


The beaver cut this tree down and did not use it.



Notice that the beavers will cut the stem evenly untill the stem is weakened enough to fall.

This is the same tree shooting from the top down.

During my recent hike I did not see any fresh wood chips or fresh cut trees. Have they moved? Only further observations will tell the tale.

Beaver will hybernate durning the winter. But what they do is hole up in their den and eat the branches they have stored nearby. In Missouri they do not have the freeze that stays all winter, so I don't know if they are inactive. I do not see signs of their activity though.

Ash Tree

Tree Measurement: Cottonwood

I came across a large Eastern Cottonwood and thought I would measure it.

I came up with a height of 120'. A circumference of 149". A canopy of 78' measured one way and a canopy of 64' measured another way. This gives a point total of 287. The average diameter of the tree is 47". There are only 3 other trees that I have measured that have a larger tree diameter. One of those trees is probably 2 trees grown together. I would like to find the rules on when a tree is 2 trees and not one.

This tree is near my Sycamore vine tree. So it should be easy to return to and check.

It is interesting to note that all my top tree points are in the bottom lands. There is one exception and that was a Sycamore that rated over 300 points. But it is right below a spring that flows all year.

It seems that this statistic shows the availability of water will cause trees to grow to their potential. So water is one of the limiting factors of tree growth where I live.

Turkey on Katy Trail

On my first day on the Katy Trail I ran across some Turkey. My camera was in my handlebar bag. So stopping and getting it out and getting this photo, I just got the remainder of the group of turkeys.

Sycamore Vine Tree

Sycamore vine tree. That is what I call this tree I found on a recent hike in a bottom land area. The tenacity of this tree to continue to search for light is amazing.

Jesus is a light of revelation to the gentiles. Luke 2:32 For this reason I want to go to any lengths to find the leading of the Lord in my life. The revelation from Jesus will enable us to understand life and help others. It is not that I would be a know it all. But as Jesus has helped me, I am able to help others.

Merry Christmas

Below are some Old Testament prophesies of the coming messiah.

Jeremiah 23:5

5"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD,
"When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch;
And He will reign as king and act wisely
And do justice and righteousness in the land.

Micah 5:2
2"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity."

Zechariah 9:9
9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Hosea 11:1

1When Israel was a youth I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son.

Isaiah 7:14

14"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6

6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Bottom Land Woods Video

Here is a video of bottom land woods in the winter. Video taken 13-Dec-08

Bald Cypress in the Fall

Bald cypress loses its needles in the fall. They fall from the bottom up.

This is the photo I took the 9th of November this year.


This is the same tree taken in the summer. Photo below





These are some different Bald cypress trees photo taken 5-Dec-08

Plant Acorns

Steve Nix at about.com has an article on planting acorns.

• Collect the acorns from September thru December.
• Keep them in plastic bags in the fridge.
• White oaks can be planted right away, while Red oaks need dormancy and can be planted from April thru June.
• Use gallon jugs, poke holes in them and plant the acorn 1 1/2 times the sized of the acorn in loose potting soil.
• Plant the acorn on its side.
• Don't allow the tap root to grow into the soil below the jug. That would tear the root when you remove the jug.
• Planting should happen when the first leaves open.
• Dig a hole twice as big as the dirt in the gallon jug.
• Plant the oak with the root crown the same height as the soil surface.
• Note: root crowns are the point where the root meets the bowl of the seedling.
  

Yesterday's Hike

I am hiking in many areas this winter. I want to get a record of different places and return to them at future dates in different years and different seasons. Here is a photo of a trail that appears to me to be carved out of the ground by use and erosion.

To the right is a farm pond.



From this view the trail is on the other side of the ridge at the top of this photo.

The weather while on this hike was in the mid 20's. The snow is not crunchy but is not powdery either.

Making my way further down the hill I came across an unusual tree. It was bent over but and the branches are now the leader growing upward.

Camping at Wilton on Katy Trail

Here I am camping for my second night on the Katy Trail. There was a store there where I bought a pizza for supper.

Vines Cover Forest

Here is a good, summer shot, showing vines completely covering the forest. Certain areas of the woods are like this and other woods don't have any trouble with vines. I wonder if it is in the chemistry of the trees. One of the trees that I notice a lot of vines around is Honey locust.

Snow

I stopped from work and took this photo.

Woods in the snow is quieter. All seems to be quiet when snow falls. There is no crucnhing of the leaves as I walk.

Snow brings a sense of cleansing. It cleans the air. But what it does to my attitude is allow me to think of new beginnings.

I like snow to follow tracts. I have not done much of it but is interesting. You can't hide what you are doing in the snow.

Long Lost Bench

I came across this bench while hiking in the first snow of the year. I remember this bench from a couple of years ago. I was walking along a trail that I had not been on and when I saw this bench I was glad and surprised. When I came across this bench in the past I had come at it from a different direction.

This bench represents one of the reasons I hike in the woods. It provides a place to rest and reflect on life. My walk with God is benefited by finding quiet places to think and wait on Him.

First Snow of the Year Last Week

Brilliant Yellow Maple Leaves

Bluffs along Katy Trail

Here are a couple of interesting photos of river bluffs on the Missouri Katy Trail. Riding my bike in this area was rewarding. It was rewarding to experience the river to the south and the bluffs to the north.

Why is it that we are attracted to bluffs and mountains? There is a visual granduer that is true. But I think there is also a longing for heights because of the protection or challenge they present on getting up there.

God says he is in a high and lofty place and also He dwells with the lowly. We can look to God and have peace and contentment in our heart no matter where we are at. It was easy for me to be at peace with God on the Katy trail. But would I be at peace if I was stuck on a job in a factory? Normally I would not. But with Jesus in my heart it would not make a difference where I was. Peace would not rely on me or my circumstances but in God's goodness to me. I am so thankful that Jesus lives in me.

Thank you Jesus for your goodness and Your word to my heart of peace in the midst of trouble which life throws at me from time to time.

John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world."