Blackberry Flowers

Hiking in a park we came across these Blackberry Flowers. We will be back to reap the fruit in July.

Western Kingbird

I saw this bird along with a few others chirping in some trees. I had to walk a ways to get a clear shot.

Canon PowerShot SX700 HS

1/500 sec.

ISO 100

-1 step

f/7.1

42 mm

Slippery Elm

Not being familiar with this tree I was watching when the leaves came out to ID the tree. It is a Slippery Elm. One of the characteristics of this tree is the vertical  lines within the bark. American elm  does not have this. Am elm bark is blotchy in color. 

The buds were round and not angled and oblong like Am elm.

Oak Savannah

Oak Savannah is being created by cutting out the undergrowth. These woods are more park like and attractive to look at in the summer. The photo below is adjacent to these woods and shows how the forest looks without management.

Fallen Log

Here is a fallen log across the trail I was hiking on at the Oak Savannah woods. I enjoyed just sitting there and listening to the birds sing and the other woods noises. It was restful and provided one of the reasons I go into the woods often. I enjoy waiting in the woods for what can be observed. This does not happen if I'm in a hurry. Learning happens as I wait.

It is the same with the Lord Jesus. Hurry does not provide much benefit. It is as I wait on the Lord quietly that I gain peace and understanding with the things of God and life.

Weeping Willow

Photo taken April 2nd.

f8 160 75mm ISP 100

Tulip

Daffodil Flower Bud

Common Field Speedwell

Common Field Speedwell (also known as Persian Speedwell)(Veronica persica)

Box Elder Maple Bud

Shagbark Hickory Bud

Black Walnut Bud

Close up of black walnut bud. The triangle below a smaller bud on the twig is called the leaf scar. And the marks inside this leaf scar are called bundle scars. This is where a vein from the leaf connected to the twig. 

Gray Dogwood Buds

Here are a couple of examples of Gray Dogwood end buds. Sometimes as the top photo shows there are 2 buds. Normally there is just one bud.

Gray Dogwood is a tree/shrub that comes into an abandoned field and grows up in the grass. The tree will establish a forest cover. Later other trees will grow up under this type of tree. Deer enjoy browsing on this plant and N. Quail will eat its seeds.

This plant is used to plant on disturbed sites such as strip mining areas. Or roadside cover. The flower is attractive, even if it is not as nice as the Flowering Dogwood.

Eastern White Pine

White pines have 5 needles in a bundle. They are fine needles which are not stiff at all.

Bur Oak Bud

Here is a close up of a Bur oak bud. Oak buds have multiple buds at the end of the twig.

American Basswood Bud

I have some extention tubes to add on to my camera lens. Now I am able to get better close ups of the trees I watch. This is the best one of the Basswood tree I took the other day. The red buds are distinctive. 

Nature seems drab in the winter. But when you get up close there is much to draw my interest. These red buds are a delight.

Baltimore Oriole

River Birch

River Birch is an attractive tree. White bark flaking off.

American Elm Bud

Found this American Elm bud.

Maple Tree Remaeaured

I had measured this tree in 2002.  Not being able to find it for many years I ran accross it this past January. I wanted to come back and measure it. I wonder if it was 2 trees that grew together or is it one tree that is splitting apart as the tree ages.

                 2002 Measurements                                           2015 measurements

Height                  83                                                                      79

Circumference          202                                                                 226.25

Canopy                     77  &  77                                                         91  &  65

Total Points                   304.25                                                          324.85

I did not have a clinometer in 2002, so the height was measured by holding a pencil against the and then figure a perportion to a known height and multiplying. Now with a clinometer my height measurement is much better.     

The circumference has grown by 22 1/4 inches in 13 years.

That is 1.72 inches a year or or 0.85% a year.

In the 13 years the circumference increased 11%

Another thing to consider is the tree has a crack between the 2 bowls. Has this crack increased to make the circumference bigger?