Today, March 19, 2023, I just returned from a walk. It’s been in the high 30’s F with winds gusting to a little over 10 mph. The sun makes it look warm, but you better be bundled up if you head outside.
While walking, I noticed several Daffodils groupings and anticipated they would be in bloom in another week or two. The Daffodils closest to bloom grew in front of or along stone walls.
When a little over halfway through my walk, what did I see? A daffodil flower smiling at me on a blustery New England day.
The daffodil asked me if I would share its smile with you!
Today, February 28, 2023, we received our FIRST accumulating snow this winter in Connecticut. Once again, mother nature did not let me down with the photo opportunities.
Barn Wood Bird House
Last weekend I visited the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show and purchased a barn wood birdhouse. It gives the garden an instant old-timey feel. I hope to purchase another larger birdhouse for the fence in my backyard. Visit Birdhouse Brokerage for more information.
Last year, I built a platform to put bird seed on and found a sign that says “This is our Happy Place” for it. When I saw the birdhouse at the flower show I immediately knew where to place it. The birdhouse looks great looking out the kitchen window.
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel
My Arnold Promise Witch Hazel is in full bloom. I first noticed flowers on this small tree on February 16. That is ridiculously early because it has been a ridiculously mild winter.
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel isn’t a show-stopper. However, in late February with 5 inches of snow on the ground, there’s not much competition for the best tree in bloom.
The sunnier and warmer the weather the more witch hazel flowers become noticeable. Once the temperature goes above freezing and the sun shines Arnold Promise Witch Hazel looks like a different tree.
Heated Bird Bath in Snow
I like the contrast between the heated birdbath and the pile of snow on the unheated birdbath. A bird bath heater is a great service to the local avian population in addition to possums, raccoons and stray cats as a water source through the winter.
If you heat your bird bath keep in mind the colder the temperature the quicker the water will evaporate. When the temperature is below 20 degrees you can see a mist coming off the water.
America the Beautiful
The boxwood provides a green and white backdrop for the flag. I need to power wash the house this year!
Winter Wonderland
The depth of this picture excites me! Dragon Lady Holly in the foreground on the right, a tongue and groove cedar fence in the middle, and Emerald Green Arborvitae in the background.
Stray Cat in Snow
If you run your eye along the siding you’ll see Phantom watching me from a window well. I started feeding Phantom, and Snowball, last summer.
When we first met Phantom would hide in shadows or be within feet of me without me knowing it. He can be quite stealthy when he wants to be.
When I began feeding Phantom he wouldn’t eat until I was at least 50 feet away. Phantom now rolls on the ground in front of me hoping for pets and lives in our three-season room.
The other day while eating at my favorite lunch spot I noticed a decaying hemlock with deciduous seedlings growing out of it, a nurse log.
Nurse logs are rotting logs that support tree seedlings. As the old tree decays it creates a seedbed for tree seedlings. The decomposing wood stays moist and provides organic matter for seedlings to grow.
There were Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) seedlings growing out of a Hemlock log (Tsuga canadensis).
Look through the opening in the brush to find the hemlock trunk on the right behind the stump.
The yellow birch parent grows about 80 feet away.
This nurse log is resting on a rocky ledge while we are in the middle of a drought. The yellow birch seedlings are thriving and show no signs of stress.
Below is a great video about nurse logs for more information.
Next time you’re walking through the forest and see a tree growing on a tree, or a nurse log, take a moment to appreciate the glory of nature.
No, it’s not an eatery, though if I had to choose one it would be Newtown Deli and Catering. The food is great but more than that the folks that work there give a sense of warmth and kindness.
I’m a big fan of the Fiesta Salad with Hard Boiled Eggs and Blue Cheese Dressing. I also enjoy their Italian Combo. I bring lunch to a local park which will remain nameless to preserve the peaceful spot.
About a quarter mile into the woods there is a slow, bubbling stream that fills the forest with the ever-so-gentle sound of running water.
There are a few glacial boulders at just the right height to sit on. I have a favorite spot, though today I moved to a different spot to get out of the sun. A ten-foot move gave a completely different perspective of the area.
While sitting on a boulder listening to the gentle stream I heard a symphony of bird calls through the forest. The bird calls were random yet rhythmic and you didn’t even notice them unless you listened.
After eating I took some photos to hone my skills. It took me twenty attempts to get the two photos in this post.
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again.
Lunch lasted a couple of hours. When I left the forest the world was at peace and all concerns were washed away by the stream.
I enjoy being around ponds, streams and rivers in Connecticut. I find them very calming. Below are some photos I’ve taken through the years.
I hope you enjoy them.
Bartlett Arboretum Stream Stamford CT
I took this photo a couple of weeks ago. Since this is a blog about landscaping I’ll point out that the yellow flowers closest to the camera are spicebush (Lindera benzoin). The Bartlett Arboretum is rarely crowded and a great place to collect your thoughts or learn about plants.
Halfway River Newtown CT
If you need a quiet place to think there is no better. Wear shoes with good tread, it’s a downhill walk to the river with some mud at the bottom. Halfway River Open Space Preserve has some traffic noise but the views are worth it.
Covered Bridge Southford Falls Southbury CT
Southford Falls is a fun park with a moderate climb to a fire tower. If you’re climbing to the fire tower the ‘easier’ climb is found by walking past the pavilion. Going over the covered bridge will get you to the fire tower but the middle of the hike is almost straight up. Here is the Southford Falls Trail Map.
Housatonic River Upper Paugussett State Forest Newtown CT
Every time I hike the Upper Paugussett State Forest I’m amazed at how far from civilization I feel while being so close to civilization. This park has an ‘easier’ trail through the middle with plenty of more, or less, challenging trails around the perimeter. The river you’re looking at is the Housatonic River.
Warner Pond Newtown CT
I tried to find the state forest this pond is in but had no luck. I did find Elia Kazan’s obituary which explains the piece of property. This view of the pond is gorgeous.
Lilypads Oxford CT
While driving down a small road in Oxford, CT I saw this view. I brought my camera the next day. Such a beautiful place.
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the ponds, streams and rivers of Connecticut.
A toad jumped in front of me today. It blended perfectly with the bluestone coping on the retaining wall.
Once or twice a year I stumble on a toad on a rock and almost step on it because they’re camouflaged so well. It doesn’t matter what color the rock toads finds a way to match it.
In school we’re all taught about the chameleon and how it can change color. Why aren’t we taught about the local toad instead? Their skills match any chameleon on the planet.
For perspective the boards in the photo below are 2 x 6’s.
Last night I went for the best walk I’ve had in a while. We’ve had high heat, high humidity and a ton of rain the last couple weeks which hasn’t encouraged walks.
I started around 5:00 PM without much of an idea where I was headed.
At one corner left would take me home in half an hour or right in two hours. I went right.
I haven’t felt so calm and at peace in months as I did last night.
I enjoy getting lost in the details of houses and landscapes as I walk by. You never know what you’ll see.
The picture at the top of the post is an old mill-pond. There’s a guy on a canoe or kayak somewhere in there. The pond is on a seldom traveled dirt road where it’s always calm and quiet.
Walking through a different neighborhood I stumbled on a giant boulder or ledge. I’m not sure which. If I were standing in front of that rock my head would be in the shadow.
Near the rock a Caterpillar D5N sits waiting for work. It’s a BIG machine.
I stumbled on a Callicarpa closer to home.
This picture, taken in early August, shows Callicarpa blooms. Purple berries will be coming soon. If anyone knows the species please let me know.
The picture below was a surprise. I walked by a hidden stream and glanced over to see a Cardinal Flower in full bloom. Cardinal Flower is a native in Connecticut but I rarely see it in the wild. I don’t know if this plant grew on its own or planted/tossed in the stream.
We’ve had a lot of rain the last couple weeks and that stream is normally a trickle this time of the year.
This post reminded me of The Road Not Taken by Bruce Hornsby, on of my favorite musicians.
Thanks for joining me on my walk. I look forward to sharing more pictures with you soon.
