morning Moon

Here is the moon I saw on my bicycle ride to work this morning.

Bottomland Video

Bur Oak Grows Slow

Here is a tree (center of photo) I measured back in 2002. The difference in the circumference was less than 2 inches. This is seven growing seasons growth. I saw only an inch and 3/4 of growth increase. The tree is growing slowly at this point and for the next 50 years the rate of growth will slow even more.

I had the tree growing 4' in this 7 years but the way I used to measure trees was not accurate enough.

Bur Oak
Tree height 64'
Circumference 97.75
Canopy 65' and 60'
Total points = 177.4

Extra Long Limb Tree

The big tree in the background is the object of this photo. The flush of brush/saplings would hide this tree in the summer. One thing that brought this tree to my attention is the extra long branch that extends to the right. I try to visualize why a tree grows the way it does. Up to now I don't have an explanation for the extra long limb growth.

It could have a broken top and this branch attempted to gain dominance. I don't remember that when I measured the tree. I do notice that the dominate part of the tree leans to the left in this photo and may have been another branch to the right that has broken off.

Now I have a reason to return to the tree to see if there is a scar of the missing branch to the right. This tree is not far from my bench I rested at Saturday. So I will be revisiting this tree at some point.

Chinquapin oak
Height 50 feet
circumference 92 & 3/4 inches
Canopy 52 and 64 feet.
Total points = 157.6 points

I am not so much concerned to find the biggest tree where I live but to monitor and watch the growth of trees over the years.

Spot for Devotions

Hiking through crusted snow I cut over a hill and encountered a trail. I recognized this trail as the one where a bench was that would serve as a place to rest and meditate. Getting to the bench I pushed off some snow and sat down on cardboard. Cardboard serves as insulation. I had a good time of prayer and meditation. This was the primary reason I started hiking in the woods years ago. God is very merciful to me and continues to help me through life.

Ice after Snow

Ice on Red pine cones and needles.


The sun caused the ice to sparkle on this brush.


Interesting icicles.

The Man Who Planted Trees

Yesterday was the first time I heard of this story. It is a moving story but it's not true. But the idea of dedication to a cause lives on.

Honey Locust makes a good Barrier

The Honey locust tree is a barrier to access. There have been a few times I have put my hand up to a tree to rest. As the thorn stuck my hand. It doesn't happen much any more. I have learned my lesson.

Animal Tracks

Found some tracks in the snow the other day. Followed them it seemed. They we all over the place. The trail we went on had many.

Am I following the Lord's direction and His tracks? Am I following Him according to what He said? Do I look for where He went? Do I practice the things He taught?

Upland vs Bottom land Woods

The tangle of bottom land woods compared to the relatively clean upland woods.

Sun And Snow

Rudbud Bark

Good close up of Eastern Red bud bark

Winter Scene

Aspect of Ground and our Heart

Here is an example of how the aspect of the land dictates how fast the snow melts. This first photo is showing a north aspect. (aspect is which way the ground is facing)



Here is the second photo where the cliff causes the land to turn from a north aspect to a west aspect.



Now I have moved around the cliff and am shooting east. Meaning the land is facing west. Most of the snow has melted off the ground.



In this photo the ground is in a completely west aspect and all the snow is gone.




This is an interesting photo showing how the snow on the right is on ground of a Northwesterly aspect. And the lack of snow on the southwesterly has no snow.

I like to think of the aspect of ground as a type of our soul. There are places in the Bible that use ground to represent our soul. In Matthew 13 the parable of the sower and the seed refers to peoples souls as being in different stages of readiness for the word of God. And in Hosea 10:12 it talks about plowing the ground as plowing our heart.

Having a heart towards receiving the word of God will allow us to understand it. If we are against God's words then we will not accept what God says to us.

We can change from a hard heart to a yielded heart through repentance. Asking forgiveness for taking our life in our own hands and not letting God direct us.

Let us not have a hard heart against God and not warm to His leading. Let us receive His words with joy and grow spiritually.

Fallen Tree

I found a tree that had fallen into another tree (Chinquapin oak) I see this often in the woods and it reminds me of life in Christ. Where one person in ministry who is alive is holding up another person who has no life or ministry that does not bear fruit.

It would be better to let the effort die than to hold it up.

I ID the Chinquapin by the twig disease that can be seen on the side of the bole. In this area many Chinquapin oaks have this problem.

Curled tree

I found this curled tree the other day. I want to go back and ID the tree when I have more time. Buds are alternate long and narrow similar to elm buds.

This second photo shows the tree is not in good health.

Tom Turkey

I ran into a tame turkey this morning. He wasn't bothered by me and just went about looking for something to eat.

Following Snow Tracks

I was following my path back and the wind was filling in my tracks after only 20 minutes.

"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:14

Yesterday's Snow

I took a break from snow plowing and shot this video a short way into some woods near my route. The sound of snow falling. I could slightly hear the flakes hitting the branches.

I am resuming my posting of nature, its in my blood and I am taking photos so I should put some on here.