Return to cinder

Address unknown, I believe there was a garage here in the early 1960s before they closed this road due to the new trans Canada highway.

These blocks have become comfy protective homes for a few plant.

Moss grows fat on and in  non-rolling stones

This is slightly off subject though this tiny intruder appeared to inch worm his way into my car while I was enjoying the mossy cinders. You may need to click the photo to see him well.

I watched this little stowaway travel round & round for 15 minutes before I stopped the car at home, he was rather dazed and tired by the time I helped him off and into his new surroundings, but like the moss, plants and cinder blocks discovered in their journeys, home is where you find yourself, it happens true to nature.

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No nonsense

good morning

I don’t know what to call it, moss, lichen, tree branch, fungus, decay, life, etc

I’m still standing, this area has lots of trees cycling naturally in the oneness.

Here is a Phellinus, I’ll need to search around for its first name though they are very common here, I’ve seen hundreds just this evening.

This old fungus could tell some stories.

The number of holes on this tree trunk is rather unusual in these woods. You may need to click on the photo to notice these.

I suppose it is time to turn in, good night.

Old friends and beautiful strangers

Here is a small hill approximately 3 acres in size in the middle of the marsh which is home to some interesting inhabitants. The hill-side is rather dry so I was surprised to see Labrador-tea growing here as I have gathered berries here for decades and these old friends never drew my attention. Notice the brown woolly underside of the leaves. These leaves can be collected year round to make a very unique tea.

I’ve seen somebody on the web selling the dried leaves for tea and also a jelly which could be quite good. Labrador-tea’s taste is hard to describe, though I always look forward to a cup of it.

The buds appearing at the top of the stems will produce around 5 inches of new stem growth with around 8 new woolly white leaves in June with a group of 6 to 12 white flowers which also can be used to make a tea.

Some dried Aronia berries from last year.

A photo of some Aronia berries I’m thawing out for muffins. There has been some buzz in North America in recent years concerning this healthful berry. Some folks in Iowa are showing an interest in this plant which has already been popular in Poland for a number of years, of course 10,000 years ago humans and other creatures were quite fond of them in N.A. as this is Aronia’s natural home.

Here are some Fox berry plants also known as Lingonberry.

Since we did just see Fox berry plants and also by the size of this hole I suspect this is a fox den, there were 4 other holes within 30 ft of this one. I was surprised to see so many exits.

I do not know my lichens and mosses by name though I wanted to show you a few photos of these just the same. click on these pics, I find they are nice thought stoppers. I could look up the names, no lets keep it a mystery.

Nature is always in season long before the berries are ripe. Have a great weekend and relax and enjoy the true nature you are always presently seeing.

Local conditions brought to you by true nature

A pheasant rain was observed under cloudy  marshland skies for most of the day.

Temperatures plummeted in late afternoon with confers donning their white winter coats one more time.

Some rosy red ones were all a glow as seen from the ridge.

Enough already about, plants and creatures, lets give it up for the ground without which we would probably have fins not that that’s a bad thing. Back to the land, this place has the nick name the chocolate river.

and for dessert another sweet peek at the chocalatey one. Hope you all enjoyed your local conditions, cheers for being here.

The yard will never be the same

The yard, always in transition though not one atom ever separated from true nature. All in one.

wild rose,  vitamin C rich rose hips, ripe seeds, rested roots will soon spring new growth on these stems.

Live forever or Orpine, this plant’s leaves are a good salad green from May through August when growing in shady river intervals, these ones are tiny once you notice the maple seed in this photo, these resemble miniature cabbage, they are located near our patio.

Stinging Nettle, covered by some silver maple leaves in my indicator garden, nettles seem to make every one around them a little healthier.

Caraway, is a very self sufficient character around here, it is our rabbits favorite treat next to raisins.

Sweet cicely, also does very well. I’m adding 2 photos to my (image page) tonight, if you like colorful mushrooms check them out they are called Blewit (Lepista nuda) and I’ve introduced them to my indicator garden last fall, so they may appear here next Oct.

You all come back now you here.

View from the ridge

The view from this ridge has been enjoyed for many milleniums, it is my pleasure to share it with you tonight

The sun appears to be sinking into the water with the land on the other side, lots of illusions out here. click on to enjoy the big picture

here is how I go home

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