Ready for some Spring!

March is bringing us some rain today, of course, since it's Saturday. But the pasture is beginning to turn green, and the moss is perking up, so I am thankful for the rain. Looking forward to warm, not hot, sunny days when I can get outside to play in the dirt. The greenhouse near me is selling pansies, broccoli, and other cool weather plants, so I'm ready to start! I can't wait to plant my lettuce & radish seeds, and plant herbs for lovely cooking aromas. Ready for fresh after a winter of dried. This moss-covered rock outcrop is along the trail from my house through the woods to the creek and I always have to touch it as I walk by. I love that it is there since all my senses enjoy the moss stop: the forest smell of wood and leaves, the softness of the tiny leaf-like cover, the perfect green growth, and the singing birds calling and marking territory.  Respite from a busy week away from nature.

Lichens alive!

The boulder above, which is near the St. Patty's day moss, has developed layers of lichen now. Moss is beginning to encroach on the lichen. And then, there is the boulder shown left, which has ferns and mountain laurel growing on it along with the moss! I am continually amazed at nature, especially plants. The boulders are weathered granite, I believe, and they are arranged in an interesting rough-and-tumble disarray. So far, I cannot find any pattern to them, except that they are exposed along an embankment above the creek.

Greening the rock

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today was such a lovely day, with the sun shining and the temperatures in the mid 60's, I could not resist spending most of the day outside. On one of my walks, I discovered that the moss on this rock has increased so much it was beginning to curve over the edge! There were mountain laurel bushes growing up above this view. Anyway, I decided this would be a great "green" picture for St. Patty's,and since it will be raining on the 17th, this moss will be greening up the boulder even more!

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!