Searching For Signs Of Spring

Yesterday morning Ed and I worked together at cleaning up the  bed down by the road.  We made a very small dent in what needs to be done. We were hoping to work until the mail was delivered but in a relatively short period of time our hands were throbbing.  Ed loaded the tools and our garden carts into the back of the truck and  we headed back up the hill to the warm house.  We decided then that we would take a trip over to Irma's woods to see if we could find some signs of Spring.

 Ed wanted to go right after lunch.  One of the really wonderful things about Irma's woods is that it is on a slope  with sunlight filtering through the trees.  You can see a lot of wildflowers without leaving the comfort of your vehicle,  Usually when we go to Irma's woods we take the truck and drive by while I try to  watch for  spots of color or groups of plants I can identify.  He was waiting for me in the car when I got outside.  This time to my delight, Ed parked the car and shut it off.  We both got out to walk  along the road.  First this moss and lichen caught my eye.  After we had walked away from the car I heard something.   I asked Ed if he heard anything and he said no.  Once we spoke the sound stopped.  We walked on searching for signs of Hepatica plants.

Hepatica is one our favorite early wildflowers.  The hairy flower buds are nowhere to be seen yet, but if one looks, last years reddish leaves can be seen.

Sharp lobed Hepatica, Hepatica acutiloba, is a wildflower that is abundant in Irma's woods. Here with the moss background the leaves are unmistakable!

This single Hepatica leaf is surrounded by Ramps also known as wild leeks.  They have just starting to push their way up through the forest floor of dried leaves.  It is March after all and most wildflowers are still hidden under the leaves.

Happy we walked back down the road to the car.  As we got closer, I heard the sounds again.  This time Ed could hear it too.  It was a quacking noise.  Ed was looking for ducks.  I was looking for frogs!  Following the sound Ed went far enough up the bank that he was able to see many small Duck frogs diving under the surface in a small vernal pool of water. They were so fast there was no time to get a picture.   It is not every day that someone who is 75 discovers something new he has never seen before.  Today it is raining but we took another quick trip over to Irma's woods to get a picture of the pool of water.  I think a little rain is exactly what is needed here!

Finally Seeing What Has Always Been There

This last day of March has been a disappointment.  With rain in the cold air, we have largely resisted the temptation to work in the garden. While we were out there, protective cages were placed over emerging plants to keep the deer away.  Because we hunger for early color in the garden, these Winter Aconites hold a prominent spot in our shade garden despite their nonnative origin.  So far our deer have shown no interest in these early plants.  Cold rain is pulling many plants to finally appear above the soil.

This Hemlock tree fell across the lane two decades ago.  Our neighbor at the time had a camping trailer where a house now stands.  He also had a chain saw and removed the fallen tree.  The pieces of tree were thrown on my side of the right-of-way regardless of the tree's original position.  Now this rotting wood supports a generous growth of moss.  For the past twenty years I have failed to see the beauty that was directly in front of me.  I feel fortunate to have finally really seen these amazing plants.  Soon this rotten wood will be carefully moved to our developing woodland garden.  There it will edge a path intending to keep careless feet from walking on native plants.

A careful look at any of the dead leaves will reveal tiny dark dots.  These are Springtails so named after their means of moving about.  Their rear mounted appendage snaps sending them airborne with absolutely no control over direction.  An enlargement of the photo will reveal their presence everywhere.  They live in moss and can be seen there but they also are on every pictured surface.  We have known about Springtails for many years since their newly emerged bodies fill every foot print left in warming late winter snow with black wiggling specks.

We did drive to the garden near the forest to repair the ties fastening the protective fence to the posts.  The garlic is emerging and fortunately no animals entered the garden through the opening.  While we were back there we did take a drive to have a look around.  A huge section of the meadow adjacent to the bedrock ridge was flooded.  This water does not travel to nearby lower ground but slowly disappears into the thawing deep gravel deposit left by the last glacier.  We found this stone higher up in the woods and moved it to the garden down by the road.  We are finally seeing the beauty on moss and lichen covered rocks.  Previously, I have only seen stones that could be used to build solid walls.  I cannot be bothered with finding their proper moss and lichen names but have become aware of their diversity and tenacious growth habits.  Fortunately we did not miss getting to know and appreciate these ancient life forms.

Ticked Off Again!

Honestly all I did yesterday was put on my coat and hat and gloves and walk around taking a few pictures.  It was pretty cold out.  There is still lots of snow to be found.  Very few plants are showing growth.  My pink Trout Lilies and a chickweed shown above are definitely the exception to the rule.

I stopped and took a few moss pictures.  The one above is called Moss Falls and Sumac Balls.  Poetic isn't it?  I'm a poet and don't know it.  I rhyme all the time.

I snapped this cool lichen picture too.  When I started to  get cold I came inside.  It was all so much fun who would have thought that I would be so ticked off this morning?  Certainly not I!  When I got up and looked in the mirror I couldn't believe my eyes.  Right there where I could see it, just about where you put your hand to say the Pledge of Allegiance was a tick.  Now I am careful about wearing light colors, tucking my pants into my socks and using some kind of repellent when I walk in the garden.   I thought it was too early and too cold.  Duh!  Now the tick is gone, removed, annihilated but my disgust lingers on.  I'l be watching that sore spot for any signs of trouble.  I'll be going back out there, but today I am so ticked off again!

Snow Sculptures

Hanging Ten

Say Aah

Cool Cat

On Edge

My Latest Obsession: Moss and Lichens

I can become incredibly absorbed in some things very easily.  Plants have been a fascination for me for  years.  Recently, while all of my garden plants were buried under the snow,  a  blogging friend suggested  I read Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer.  I did.  It captured my imagination and I have been impatiently waiting for the ice and snow to retreat and reveal some moss for me.  Finally the snow level dropped below the bottom rail on Ed's split rail Locust fence.  Here I think lichens outnumber mosses.  Still wet from snow melt the lichens expand to show their colors.

I leaned over the snow bank and got as close as I could.  I had been reading about the amazing tiny world of moss and I wanted to see it for myself but little was above the snow.   When the snow is gone I want to see if there are tiny little springtails living in the moss.  I wanted to see it now  but  there is still too much snow to kneel down and look at it with a loupe. 

Another spot to the East on that same rail has just a small lichen and lots of moss. Is it one kind of moss that has more than one growth habit or more than one kind?  It seems that there are at least two completely different types of stems and leaves.  In the moss world stems and leaves are not the correct words but they do describe where I am looking.

Here is a little closer look.  I might get closer still, but not until the ice and snow has receded.  Before I go down to the ground I like to be able to at least have some chance to get up by myself!  I wonder if the two stalks that resemble miniature cattails are actively producing reproductive cells at this time.  Who knew there was so much going on in the moss?

Another New Year For Plants And Stones

Today marks the beginning of the twelfth year of Plants and Stones, our garden blog.  I braved the wind, rain and falling temperatures to go out and look for something exciting to start off 2019 with a bang.  My hands were getting cold so I stopped by this stone wall.  Built circa 2008 it has  since become encrusted with all kinds of moss and lichens.  Ed will claim that this is not a picture of a failed stone wall that he built.  His walls are built from large scattered piles of stones that allow him to pick individual stones that will build a strong wall.  This was never intended to be more than a temporary stone pile.  As garden ground was cleared these stones were piled as they were found.  There was no choice available to pick stones that were right.  Ed thought for some time that this pile might fall.  I never thought it would happen but in 2016 strong north winds  pushed a section to a leaning overhanging position and eventually over it went.  Now this fallen pile provides raw material for new carefully constructed walls.

Stones that already have been decorated by Mother Nature with mosses and lichens are treasures to a stone wall builder.  The growth adds an additional consideration when placing the stone.  It must be solidly placed in the wall while preserving the exposure to sunlight and moisture.  Close to the ground seems like a good choice but just how these life forms grow remains a mystery.

This stone is interesting in a number of ways.  Round stones are difficult to place in a wall.  When one sets out to repair a section of an old wall that failed, a round rock is commonly found at the bottom of fallen section.  The top knob on this one wildly increases the likelihood of a failed wall.  This stone will better serve as a stone partially buried at the edge of a walking path in the new woodland garden.  Such a placement will also preserve the various life forms making their homes on this stone.

We have attempted to learn more about lichens and moss.  Articles that we find are filled with huge words whose meaning remains unknown.  Anyone that knows the meaning of such words already knows a great deal about these plants.  So we simply admire and speculate.  It seems likely that creating the next generation is what is going on here.  The bright colors are rarely seen but appear when the lichen is wet..

This view speaks volumes.  A large collection of small stones can be seen in one section of the fallen pile.  Placing these solidly in a wall would require a huge amount of time given the variation in thickness.  Their presence is likely the location of the part of the wall that first moved tiny amounts when hit by strong winds.  New paths will be edged with these stones.  They will be buried out of sight but will form a solid boundary for the path.  The end stones are the best ones placed in this pile.  They will be moved to the reconstruction project along the property line.  A properly built wall is planned to back the transplanted Arbutus already growing there.  We have never seen Arbutus in the wild growing against a stone wall but think that the two will look grand together.  The centuries old fallen wall presently there will be rebuilt with additional stones.  We expect that any visual difference between the stones will quickly disappear.  They are after all the same age.  The only difference is how they spent the last century.

A Change Of Scene

Winter approaches and Nature's Artwork has a definite wintry change of scene!

If we get a thaw, we may see Nature's Artwork again.  If we get more snow Mother Nature will close the exhibition  for repairs. Do you see what I see?

More Moss Covered Rocks

It seems that I stumble across more stones that will fit right in with the plans for the new woodland garden.  This beauty was partially buried at the base of the gravel bank close to the brush pile.  It seems unlikely that it was not spotted earlier.  Perhaps its location was simply forgotten.  Once again the rock was found some distance away from the garden.  Fortunately most of the way was downhill.  If this rock is partially buried, the moss should survive in its new location.  Garden rocks can be attractive additions to what needs to look natural but moss covered rocks are simply great.

Just why and where these primitive life forms grow is a mystery.  A long row of junk stones were piled along the steep slope of the gravel bank to form a safe place to walk.  One small section of this wall is covered with active lichen and moss plants while the rest of the wall is barren.  Moisture must funnel to this area as it runs down the face of the gravel.  Why that happens is hidden under the surface.

This stone had moss growing on it when it was placed in the patio.  We planted the thyme after the patio was finished.  In time the thyme will spread and cover the moss but now they look great together.

Back at the gravel bank, this seems to be the time of year when both the moss and lichens are in active growth.  Structures supporting reproduction seem common now.  Their timing seems off but they are a very old form of growth so their must be some advantage to doing this important work in the cold.

These rocks will not be moved.  The new location might not support this growth and we will simply not risk ending them.  We can always walk to this out of the way place whenever we fancy a peek at these fascinating lichens.

Watching And Waiting For Snow To Melt

Watching and waiting for the snow to melt is tough on a gardener!  It's boring like watching paint dry, but anticipation makes it much more difficult. Containing  the whining and moaning is even worse! Today when the rain stopped, I was very excited to get a chance to venture outside.  The garden is still out of  my reach and covered with snow, but I found some wonderful things growing anyway!

It has been years since Ed built this fence out of  split black locust logs.  It takes some real time for lichens to grow.  With all the  moisture from rain, fog, sleet ...  they are at their very best!  This one has great pale green color and interesting texture.

These tiny spikes are growing on top of a post right at my eye level.  Just like on the corn flakes box the picture is slightly enlarged to show texture!  I'm so happy I didn't have to get down on the wet ground to take this!

I know these lichens have been here for a long time.  With the background of never-ending white snow, oops a little bit of whining there,  I noticed their beautiful color and texture today!

This one is different than the others I think, but I am very interested in the  single file of little spikes growing in a crack in the wood.

On the same log nearby I found these red soldiers.  Wouldn't it be special if those spikes grew to be a line of red soldiers in single file!  Even if that were true, I wonder how long it takes them to grow?

The snow has receded enough to reveal these hens and chicks planted on top of Ed's  curved stone wall.  They brought joy to my heart.  Soon there will be many plants to attract my attention.  I was delighted to see these today!

Just Wait Lichens Will Grow On You

I wanted to learn about lichens this winter.  So far I have learned that these tiny plants are legion in numbers and complicated.  Identification is a problem, but they still fascinate me.   Now when look at a stone or a dead branch,  I move in closer using my camera.  The scalloped edges on this grey lichen  captured my attention.           

We more commonly find moss growing on the ground itself or on rocks nearly totally buried in the soil.  Past attempts to move moss covered rocks in stone walls frequently results in the death of the moss.  During dry periods the lichens become brittle and dormant but regenerate when moisture returns.  When the moss becomes dry it usually disappears.  The small patches of moss and the lichens chose this spot to grow.  The process is a very slow one.

This fallen dead branch was found lying across the lane.  The brown shaggy growth covered the upper surface only and likely grew after the dead branch fell.  The light and dark green lichens were actively growing when the branch was alive and still attached to its tree.  Our tree surgeon told us that when these growths appear the tree is doomed to die and that nothing can be done to stop that final process.  It now appears that much more action follows the death of the branch.  This brown growth appeared quickly since we walk where it was found frequently and did not see it earlier.  We placed the fallen branch across the barbed wire fence for the photo.  It was returned to the ground so that the natural process already in motion could continue.

This bright yellow lichen was hard to miss.  We have to walk past this spot every time we leave the house via the basement ramp.  A closer inspection reveals bright yellow bubbly round growth when I scroll in on this picture.  Nature  has so much to for you see if you bother to notice!

Textbooks describe a large sea that once covered the area where we live.  The presence of the shell fossil points to sediments washing into that  sea covering the living mollusk.  The sediments became layers of stone and we are in awe whenever we find a well formed fossil.  The white blob remains an unsolved puzzle.  It resembles the silk that formed inside of a milkweed seed pod following exposure to rodents and birds that feed on the mature seeds.  Perhaps it is just that and it became stuck on the moss growing on this interesting stone.  Most years all this is covered with snow.  This February is different and I am enjoying  the view!

Her Favorite Rock

When we were first exploring our newly purchased retirement land, Becky was thrilled when we came upon this rock.  The last glacier had broken off a piece of the bedrock ridge and pushed it here.  Its level placement and size made for a perfect bench.  The man that built the nearby house wanted this rock to anchor the stone wall in front of his home.  Fearing that he would break it with his tractor and chains, I denied his request.  Knowing that Becky would really miss this rock also factored in my decision to retain possession of this rock.

Natural forces are at work dissolving this rock into soil.  Various lichens and moss are drawing their nourishment from the surface of the rock.  The pace of this activity is incredibly slow.  Great beauty can be seen here if one takes the time to stop and look.  A Disney-like face appears near the upper right edge of the picture.  The splat of white and light green growth is edged in pinkish purple.  Both of those growths appear in several other different places on the surface of the rock.

A recent locally severe weather event toppled a neighbor's hickory tree across the lane.  That falling tree snapped off a section of another hickory on our side.  Ownership of the fallen wood never came into question.  Our neighbor heats with wood and we all felt that he should put the fallen trees to good use.  When the first tree fell it snapped off the top of one section of the tree near the rock.  The remaining section of trunk was branch-less, long and looked threatening.  Our neighbor placed a ladder against the tree and skillfully dropped the snag into the lane.  More fuel for him and a hazard safely removed for everyone.

A generous supply of campfire wood remains.  This feels like a perfect afternoon to do some light work in the woods.  A campfire built with hickory wood should produce some sweet smelling smoke.  The area around the special rock will also be cleaned up.  It came through all of this unmarked and soon no trace of the damaged trees will detract from the beauty of its natural placement.

Lichens And Stones

When the family was here for Thanksgiving, Amy and I took a walk as we often do.  It was sunny and beautiful, but chilly.  Usually we take the camera, but this time it was left behind.  I've always thought that she has a very special eye when it comes to finding interesting nature subjects to photograph.  We found some fantastic lichens on some of the stones on the top of  Ed's wall.  I went back with the camera today.  Mother Nature did a great job on this stone.  In a way it reminds me of cedar leaves.  I think the black is a lichen too.  This stone is so pretty the temptation is to take it inside to enjoy, but I know that would ruin it.  I know where it is and if I want to see it when it is covered with snow I can visit it here.  I can even click on the picture and get a closer look.

This stone is frosted with lichens. One is the same as before, but the brown is new and unfamiliar to me.  My curious mind wants to know more about these interesting plants.

Here is an even closer look.  I would love to find a great field guide about lichens with great pictures and descriptions that I might understand.  If you are into lichens and can help me with my curiosity, I would love to hear from you!  On the other hand, if you have never noticed what grows on a stone wall you are missing some cool stuff!

Natural Rock Garden

Today's post photos were taken five days ago during the December warm spell.  Seasonably colder weather with snow in the air has returned and we are staying inside.  The first picture shows the oldest stone wall on the original farm.  A river bottom field that gave up these stones lies just beyond a sad excuse for a hedgerow.  A spot of red color marks the location of the present barn.  A missile shaped white blot nearby is the single remaining capped silo. The long strip of bottom land alongside of the barn is not anywhere edged with stone.  Pioneer farmers may have dumped stone from those fields over the river bank where flood waters moved them out of sight down river.

Round puddles of blueish white primitive plant growth sets this stone apart from its neighbors.  If this type of growth has been seen here before, it escapes my memory.  What I had for breakfast also escapes my memory so this plant may be as common as dirt.  In any event, the appearance of this stone placed it in this post.

Hard lichens and darker green mosses are commonly seen here on stone lying near the ground under tree cover.  Stone, moisture and shade provide favorable growing conditions for these simple plants.  The bare areas on the top surface of the stone are puzzles.  Why are no plants growing in those spots?

 

Ocean water swirling over a coral reef is suggested by these round balls of moss.  Somehow this growth just seems out of place here.  Actually, it would be out of place any where else.  Carefully placing stones sporting similar growth near the base of a new wall has always ended the moss.  Perhaps they just shrink when exposed to sunlight.

This stone is supporting plant growth that is nothing like the others.  Stems and leaves point to a more complex higher plant.  Perhaps these plants are growing in trapped soil on the stone surface that was earlier created by eons of lichens that had called this spot home.  What better way to begin  2015 here at the Stone Wall Garden than with plants that actually grow on stones?  We are still fascinated by their beauty.