Wildflowers of the Forest

Alternately, the photos I took during our failed hunt for morel mushrooms.

Apparently, morels have been spotted at the local forest preserve I frequent. Last weekend, I took a hike out there and spotted a heron, ducks, deer and an owl. Friend Janice called me Friday afternoon for a spur of the moment visit to hunt mushrooms. I thought, heck, why not.

While we didn't find any of the elusive fungi, the wildflowers continue to impress.

First up - delicate white wildflowers called "Spring Beauty".


Additional Photography note: I focus stacked three photos for the composite below:


The blue sea of Bluebells provided a distraction from the empty hunt.


The occasional Bluebell "rebel" in white:


Finally - we spotted some young deer in the thicket.


Being out in nature provides a salve for the soul - I hope you can get out where you are to enjoy.

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Sticking Around

Another week, another snowfall! This time, instead of melting away quickly, the snow stuck around for four days, and more impressively, adorned the tree branches for three full days. That is an anomaly for this area - normally we receive a snowfall, the wind picks up and the snow is blown off every branch and horizontal surface. This time, the snow started off wet, stuck to everything and then the temperatures fell precipitously to the single digits, flash-freezing the snow to everything.

The icy snow - Defying gravity on day one (Thursday)


From the pine trees in the back yard:




Friday morning greeted us with brilliant sunshine but sub-zero temperatures without the windchill. I took this from the kitchen, looking at those same pines.


Saturday morning I headed to the forest preserve with friends, hopeful for a winter wonderland. I wasn't disappointed.



We hiked through the powdery snow, caught some wildlife and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.




It's all so fleeting - on Sunday, warmer air coupled with the sun melted the snow off the trees. Today the rain is washing away the remnants. My philosophy - get out and enjoy it while you still can.

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