Spring Beauty

On Thursday we spent a couple hours in the woods. I love being in the woods! Every time I get out in the woods I realize, again, just how much I love the forest.

The forest abounds with life! There is such a variety of plants, trees, birds, creeping, flying and leaping wild creatures.

I spy a squirrel!

The woods are quiet and still, and yet, at the same time, they are full of noises and motion. There are no cars rumbling and beeping. No electronic humming of refrigerators, dishwashers, or humidifiers. No ticking of clocks. But, there are bees buzzing, woodpeckers tapping, Cardinals singing, streams babbling, wind hissing, squirrels barking, limbs creaking, frogs chirping. The water glitters as sunlight reflects from it's surface.

When I go to the woods I feel a sense of peace and calmness. I have an enormous amount of gratitude well up within me. I thank God for the opportunity to be in such a beautiful place. I thank God for giving me senses to observe and take in the sights, sounds, and smells. I Thank God for putting variety and beauty into his creation. And, since I am in such a grateful frame of mind I think of so many, many blessings to thank God for providing. I am sure we all have special places where we feel in particularly reminded to be grateful and thank God. The woods is one of those special places for me.

As we walked through the woods we saw Spring Beauties, Violets, and Toothwort blooming.

It is early spring here, judging by the plant life. We have had a very long winter and spring is coming late. It is definitely welcomed! I only saw a few May Apples poking up through the leaves. Most years they have been up and unfurled for at least month by this time.

I didn't even see a single Trillium in bloom.

A lot Trout Lilies were up. I only saw a few that had flowered.

This little tree frog blended in well with his surroundings. I am surprised that we saw him.

My two year old was delighted! :)

I was very happy to see some Virginia Bluebells. They are lovely!

Psalms 40:5

 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.