Branches grow from Fallen Tree

I see this occasionally. A tree falls but does not completely die. Branches start growing from the bole of the fallen tree.

Even when what we try to do fails. There is still growth possible if we will keep at it. Never give up.

Poison Ivy

Three leaves, let it be. Is a saying I heard as a child. This plant has an oil that causes a bad rash on many people. If you think you have been exposed to this plant, wash your skin as if you were trying to get car grease off. Doing this will keep you from getting the rash.

This plant is a vine. It can't grow up off the ground by itself. 

Large Poison Ivy vine growing up this Persimmon tree.

Just as we may be exposed to Poison Ivy we may be adversely affected by the cares of this life. Just as this Poison Ivy vine is strongly attached to the tree. Sin, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, hardness of heart, a bad attitude, ungrateful heart will affect us adversely.

Jesus offers us the solution. Turn to Him and He will help you cut these these strongholds out of your life. To ignore this vine will put a strain on the tree causing it to die prematurely. When we ignore the sin that attaches to us we are hindered in living a fruitful life for Jesus.

Poison Ivy run amok can turn into a painful experience. Don't ignore God's direction. He wants to help us and heal us, so we can minister for Him to others.

John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Father, be merciful to me a sinner. Guide me by your Spirit to leave the old ways of the world and walk in newness of life. In Jesus name. Let it be.

Lightning Strike Cottonwood

I came across this tree last summer. There was a lot of bark on the ground that seemed to be stripped by the lightning strike. It is interesting to watch the results of this event. I watched a Kentucky Coffee tree a few years ago after it was hit by lightning and it ended up dying in a couple of years.

Even when disaster strikes us we have victory in Jesus. 

Romans 8:37-39

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, 

nor angels, nor principalities, 

nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, 

will be able to separate us from the love of God, 

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Squirrel making use of Tree Cavity

Found a squirrel making use of a tree cavity for a home.

The Lord will bless us in life as we follow Him. He will show us places that will protect us from the storms of life. He will lead us to green pastures that will nourish our inner man.

Psalm 23:1-3

"The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake."

River Birch

Circumference 37.5" The stem to the right was 32 5/8" but not used in the points.
Height measured at 52'
Branch canopy measured at 56' 40'
Total points 102

This tree is an ornamental planting in a park. They are usually found along rivers. The tree grows in open areas. If it is overshadowed by other trees, it will die out.

The paper thin bark of this tree makes it unique. Horizontal lines in the bark also are unique. The buds hug the twig.

I found a leaf that shows its characteristics.

It is unusual that the male catkins remain on the tree after the leaves have fallen. Is it unique for this species?

The variety of nature never seems to end. The same with people. We are all unique and offer to God and others an ability and gifts that others don't have.

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are His workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand 

so that we would walk in them."

Muskrat Home

This wildlife area had some muskrat lodges in the ponds. They build them out of mud and sticks and make the entrance under the water. Swimming in the water they access their lodge from underneath and then come up into their dry living area.

They get their name from their musky smell. They are 16-25" long including an 8-11" tail. In the wild they live 1 - 3 years. They have web hind feet for swimming and smaller feet in front for digging. They eat mostly a plant based diet.

Muskrat lodges amidst ducks in water,

Open sky and peaceful surroundings.

Looking for photos amidst nature,

and I am the spotter.

Muskrat lodges made of plants and mud,

their entrance is accessed under water.

They live secluded in their home,

but most would call it a dud.

Busyness and progress pass them by,

the acquiring of stuff is the thing.

In the end a dumpster is used to clean it all out,

but the lowly muskrat will still be there by and by.

Trails

We spend a lot of time hiking trails in nature. They make the way much easier and they are going somewhere. I go off trail often. It is not to go somewhere, but to observe life where I am. When I want to get somewhere I usually stay on the trail.

Many times it is going and not arriving that we aim for. Spiritual, mental and physical health benefits are gained by spending time in nature. Nature is a reflection of God's handiwork. I look for insights to life by observing nature.

Go with God in worship and thankfulness in all you do.

Isaiah 55:11,12 

"so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

    it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

12 “For you shall go out in joy

    and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and the hills before you

    shall break forth into singing,

    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Record Eastern Cottonwood

Reading an article written 2014 I became aware of a record tree that I would have easy access to. We went by there yesterday and measured the cottonwood. While we were there a small branch fell but the tree is fairly healthy as far as I could tell. 

The tree diameter is 112" which is a circumference of 351.8"

The height is 79'

The tree canopy is 123' and 107'

Giving 460 total points for the tree.

An Old Tree

A tree grows in a field,

unnoticed by many.

Time passes by,

some trees grow others are cut down.

Houses are built,

roads are laid down,

children play,

families gather under its shade.

Each year the tree expands,

as the sun gives its warmth.

Winter brings the snows

It withstands the driving rains.

The tree waits for the spring,

responding with growth to the return of warmth.

Sleeping Ducks

Here is a group of Mallards asleep on the water. A quiet scene in nature. If you let it nature can calm your soul from the rush of life. Wait on the Lord and let your heart take courage. He will do great things as we trust in Him and let His power flow through us.

Bent Tree

I see in this tree an ability to grow in adversity. Winds come against it but it withstands the wind. The ground it grew on may have shifted but it adjusted its growth. Or there may have been a tree to its left that died off and is no more. The tree grew around it to find the sun and continues its growth.

We may be a bent tree but are continuing to follow Jesus. Our past may have been messy but that is not deterring us from our quest of following Jesus.

Eastern Hophornbeam

Here is a close up of the bud of this tree and the shredded bark below.

This tree has wood that is harder than Osage Orange. I cut some Osage Orange about 1994. Those 2 logs are still sitting in my back yard and are not rotting at all. The Hophornbeam tree would make excellent fence posts or tool handles. The only tree that has harder wood is the Flowering Dogwood.

The withered leaf below shows the serrated edge that looks similar to elm leafs also beech trees.

Just as the wood of the Eastern Hophornbeam is hard, Christian can show strength against adversity with reliance upon the Lord and the promises He gives us to live in a fallen world.

Here is a link to other posts on this tree.

Hidden Steps

Hiking trough some woods I saw hidden steps.

Life at times has solutions that are not apparent to us. As we seek God, He gives understanding.

Jeremiah 33:3 Ask of Me and I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know.

Hackberry Bark

Variations in Hackberry bark. The bark has these warty projections that give an appearance of thick bark, but the gaps in the bark leave it susceptible to damage. 

These photos show that there are variations in the bark between different Hackberry trees. The bark, though, is thick. The gaps between the projections leave the tree susceptible to damage.

Psalm 18:2

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Shagbark Hickory

The bark of this tree makes it unique. Bats make their home under the loose bark. The nuts are editable and the wood is hard.

The wood can be used to make handles or other uses that would take a lot of abuse or impact.

Father, let be useful as I utilize the gifts you have given me.

Small Acorn

Here is a small acorn; the shiny brown color caught my eye. I don't need mountain vistas or fantastic sun rises to enjoy nature. Small things show God's handiwork as well. Many people won't notice theses small things of nature. God may make things just for His pleasure. As I find beauty, I get to see the handiwork of God that most miss.

God's handiwork is magnificent and also intricate. Just as God works with the universe, He also works with us and knows our strengths and weaknesses. We can trust Him when we believe for the small things in life.

Father, I trust You to guide my day and help me shine Your light to others. So be it, in Jesus name.

Northern Shoveler

Took this photo in November as ducks were migrating south.

Psalm 74:12

"Yet God is my king from of old, 

Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth."

Albino Canada Goose

I have seen Canada geese in parks for years, but this is the first albino that I have seen. There are white geese but they are not the same as Canada geese. White domestic geese are larger and are all white.

This goose fits the Canada goose shape and characteristics. The occurrence of albinos is something like 1 in 20,000.

Albinism is caused by a lack of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that helps protect the skin and eyes from overexposure to sunlight.

The albino animal may be more susceptible to predators. Some studies show that predators like hawks rely more on shape and movement then color.

At any case albino animals are at a disadvantage.

God is a friend of the oppressed and poor.

Luke 4:18 ESV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 

because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, 

to set at liberty those who are oppressed," 

Marked Twig of Oak

Not sure what kind of oak this is. My guess is Black oak. The twigs of Black oak are angled or have ridges on them. Looking further I see an example of a twig like this that is a Bur oak.

The lesson I learn from this tree is that even if there are attacks that cause a deformity, life can happen. We should not let physical problems stop us from believing God will support us in the work we have to do for Him.

Psalm 18:18

 "They confronted me in the day of my calamity, 

But the LORD was my stay."

Father, I look to you in health and in trouble. You are my support and protection.

Black Birds

These birds were squawking and rafting in a few trees. I waited for them to take off but they were staying put. There are times when they will squawk for a while then stop all at once. Then they will take off together.

I marvel at how God has created each part of the universe. Each part has such a unique function.

Psalm 19:1

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God,

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands."

Flock of Ducks

Caught these flock of ducks landing among their fellow ducks. When I would hunt ducks, we would put out decoys to attract their attention and get them to come to our blind.

Ducks would circle around a lake or pond looking to see if it was safe to land. If we were well hidden in our blind they would try to land among our decoys. The decoys would trick them into thinking it was safe.

Christians need to flock together and be in community. Don't be fooled by groups of people that claim to follow Jesus but deny Him by their actions. Find people that preach the Bible and work towards following its directions.

John 10:27,28 " My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."

Trail

We were following a marked trail. These markers kept us from taking a wrong turn. With a map and knowing which trail to follow we found our way through the woods. Even with the markings there still was some doubt at times if we were on the right trail.

Usually I have a general knowledge of the lay of the land. Many times I have walked through woods without trails and have done just fine, because I understand how the hills and valleys run and the sun gives me a general direction of south, north, east and west.

There have been times when I have been mixed up. I then use a compass to point the way. A few times I was disorientated and forgot my compass and the sun was covered by clouds. One of those times I sat down and listened for a car to drive by and I used that sound to show me the direction. FortunatelyI knew how the road went.

We can lose our way spiritually if we aren't paying attention. Turn to Jesus and the Bible and you will find your way as the Holy Spirit guides you.

Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Sparrow in Winter

It is not winter yet but this photo reminds me of preparation. The inner feathers are down and keep the bird warm as it fluffs out  its feathers to trap air.  Their legs are usually just bone and sinew so they don't get cold. They can also hunker down to keep their legs warm. Many birds tuck their head under their wing.

Are we prepared for the future? Spiritually we are protected as we turn our trust towards Jesus. Belief in Jesus and His care will guide us through the hard times.

Psalm 62:8 

"Trust in Him at all times, 

O people; 

Pour out your heart before Him; 

God is a refuge for us."

Fall Woods

The change in the foliage during Autumn is always received with joy and wonderment. Winter is coming but the relief from Summer heat is welcomed.

Chlorophyll starts to break down when the length of the day and the temperatures start to drop. Other colors in the leaf become visible.

Genesis 1:3

"Young's Literal Translation

and God saith, 'Let light be;' and light is."

When we see color we see light. What we see with our eyes is light. There is also a spiritual side of life and we can see in the Spirit so to speak when we become aware of it.

People say, "seeing is believing." But it is the opposite. Believing allows us to see.

Mark 11:24

"Therefore I say to you, 

all things for which you pray and ask, 

believe that you have received them, 

and they will be granted you."