Hidden So Close

This is a borrowed view that our neighbors can enjoy from across the farm lane and right of way which separates our two properties.  This magnificent stand of Norway spruce has been here for decades.  The trees were planted by the son of the farmer who owned the land before us.  It's hard to see from this picture that there is a den often used by foxes hidden behind the beautiful flowing boughs of the trees.

The den is situated right at the base of the trunk of one of the trees.  There is fresh digging activity there.

It is fascinating to notice that as the digging progresses darker sand is now being replaced with fine white sand.  There doesn't seem to be a stone in any of it.  This fine sand is totally different from dirt anywhere else that Ed has dug on the property and he has done a whole  lot of digging here.   I'm sure he would have liked to get right into that sand to check it out, but we do not wish to disturb the tenants.

Here is a little closer look at the area.  The den is just a few feet to the right of the orange posted sign.  The lowest spruce branches are beginning to encroach on the right of way.  We plan to drive around them and hope our neighbors will do the same.  Trimming  would result in the death of the branches back to the trunk of the tree and result in complete exposure of the foxes  hiding place.  As Ed clears along the lane, he will carefully place brush in the open spaces  to give the animals the privacy they deserve.  If we are very lucky we will be rewarded next year with  an occasional glimpse of fox kits and foxes on rodent patrol in the garden.

Rock, Lichen, Scissors

We have all played the game of rock paper scissors.  Paper covers rock, rock breaks scissors and scissors cut paper.  For the stone walls in the garden it is not paper that beats them, but lichens.  I like some of the lichens that grow on the walls.  I find them attractive.  The longer the walls stand out there in the sun the more lichens grow on them.  The lichens are in fact very slowly consuming the stones.

It's impossible not to notice the black lichen that is growing on the stone square.  I find it interesting to notice that where the stone is shaded the black lichen is absent.

Here a number of lichens are growing on the top of the wall.

Although the black lichen looks smooth from a distance, it is really quite pebbly in texture.  How the black lichen got started or where is came from I don't know.  I'm sure it has a name, but I don't know it.  Perhaps is the stone equivalent of a sunburn.