Sunday, July 17, 2011

Amazing plants

I am always amazed that plants, especially trees, can grow just about anywhere! This fairly good-sized maple has spread its roots around the boulder, then down into the soil. The mosses and ferns located around the tree base usually take hold first and help break down the rock into sediments, eventually into soil. This tree just couldn't wait for that to happen, so it adapted to its situation and grew!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Hail

Afternoon summer thunderstorms are very common here. Hail seems to be occurring more often this summer. This five-minute storm of hail tore holes in my hostas! A few young sunflowers were knocked over as well. I put one in the freezer in order to measure and observe; it's marble-sized!