Cold, windy and rainy - the perfect time to doze in front of the fire . . .

We had our last meeting of the Retreat committee before Retreat, which starts on Wednesday! Today we stuffed and sorted the nametags and registration envelopes, and filled the goody bags! A fun and productive day.

 Several views of the same patch of swamp, from three different perspectives! Above, a macro view of the reflections on the water surface.

 Here, the skunk cabbage leaves just starting to grow, shown from ground level and zoomed in.

And, here is the view at normal lens, standing at normal height. Fun to explore . . .

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 

I can upon this tree in the woods - not sure what it is, but the ground around it is covered in large sappy blobs - yuck! It must be coming up from the roots, since it is pretty wide around the tree. I am writing to a local biologist to see if he can identify the tree and tell about it's behavior!

 A new batch of fungi caught my eye as I drove up the driveway. These tiny things are growing on a mossy log next to the pond.

 I love how they create a little landscape in miniature on the log.

Snow is all gone, and we have another sunny day. The Red Alder are blooming - above is the male catkin with it's reddish parts, which will eventually release lots and lots of pollin. The female parts are on the same branches, and mature into little 'cones' in the fall.

 When you see the trees from a distance, they look quite red! And that's not even why they're called Red Alder - the bark turns reddish when bruised.

 The sun casts fun shadows on the birch tree.

A sad fungus is being eaten away.

 Well, that's what I get for not paying attention! I haven't looked at any weather forecasts, so this snow was a complete surprise to me! But it's melting fast, and I'll bet it will be gone by noon. So I got out early for some drips and sparkles in the sun.

 The last leaf . . .