Tag: Dogwood flowers

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Dogwood Flowers 5220c” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

Traveling up the mountain in spring is almost equal to time travel. The higher elevations and solar angles seem to delay botanical spring by a few weeks. The Dogwood trees that are closer to my house have already begun to drop their bloom and leaf out. But the top of the mountain is another world. The highlands are an aesthetic echo in harmony with the bottomlands for a short time. By the time I arrived to my father’s land the sun was low in the sky and encroaching on the horizon. As the last rays of daytime sweep across the pasture and fall on the forest edge they illuminate the white flowers that grace the branches of one of the Dogwood trees. I noticed that centers were now more golden than green. And that small green leaves are beginning to adorn the branches and twigs. Even the mountains cannot hold back time forever. Eventually the season of warmth and growth comes and the early flowers fade to make room for the next progression. And what wonders will be wrought by season of the sun! Warm breezes and dancing lights in evening. Carefree days of soaking in the sun on the deck of a boat and ice cream brought to the window of a car. Long strolls around campgrounds and friends that only near while old Sol rules the sky. For in 1 month his days are equaled and the shadows await their own time.

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Dogwood And Memories

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Dogwood Flowers 5220a” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

The crystal blue sky is flawless as I ease my way up the old logging road towards the spot where I used to play as a kid. I’m amazed at how much the landscape gas changed in 40 years. Once, there was only the trees and bushes on either side of the road and the road itself was mostly compacted mud. The trees formed a little dome here and in the middle of the road was a large puddle. It was only a few inches deep but it seemed to be 20 feet across. It was about this time of year that we’d start finding frog’s eggs floating in huge masses. We’d catch tadpoles and newts to be a pet for the day here. As I looked around at all the changes one of the consistencies was the Dogwood Flowers. I used to mark the spots where I found them because I knew that there would be a Dogwood snag close by. When a Dogwood tree dies naturally it tends to stand for a while and only the butt of the tree rots. The result is a walking stick that you can just break off at ground level. Then, you wedge the top of the tree between two larger trees and you can break that pretty accurately. The Dogwood stick wasn’t really as strong as one that was cut and cured but it was strong enough for a young boy on a day hike.

Today, I mostly appreciate the Dogwood for its beautiful flowers but during the time when I actually had to use a cane the one I carried most was made from a Dogwood that was taken from this very spot. At some point in my youth I decided that I wanted a hiking stick that was a little nicer than the ones that I would just pick. So I got out a hatchet and cut a nice straight one. It was actually too large to be practical but this was my first woodworking project. I took it home where my dad and grandfather helped me to peel it and sand it down smooth. Even today I find something therapeutic about sanding wood. The end of the stick finally cracked several years ago so I cut it down again and put a regular handle on it. I still have it today. It occasionally sees use but for the most part it’s now a carrier of my memories.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

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Tranquility Under The Dogwood Trees

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Dogwood 41320” and is available for purchase by the instructions at the bottom of the article.

A breeze sweeps across the New River as the climbs ever skyward.
Behind me the geese are honking in the Gauley River as they Approach the Kanawha River. It’s a great morning in the three rivers area in spite of previous night’s storm and the loss of grid power. The open invitation to slow the pace of life cannot be denied so after learning that the grid would be down most of the day I spent some time with the little Dogwood trees on the Midland Trail.

The Dogwood trees are among the true pleasures of life in the Appalachian Mountains. The simple cross pattern of four pedals and little cluster in the center is one of the hallmarks of springtime. I have some of the best childhood memories of playing under a Dogwood tree. Now that I’m a little older I feel very at peace just taking in the atmosphere around them. No agenda, just tranquility in all of its beautiful simplicity.

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that graduation will be here before you know it. Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

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To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

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Dogwood & Tree Frogs

Hello Friends! Tonight’s feature image is titled “Dogwood Before The Rain “and is available for purchase by following the instructions at the bottom of the article. Tonight’s image has very little to do with the story and was merely used for a backdrop to the story.

The bright sunshine dims as the dark clouds gather overhead. The birds continue to sing but the tune changes as they signal their mates to come to shelter from the rain. As the flocks gather the forest falls silent but only for a moment. A lone tree frog drones out from somewhere among the leaves and branches. The rain comes softly at first but soon the heavens open up and sheets of water pound the forest. It doesn’t last long. The cloudburst is over as quickly as it began. The water collects and pools on the forest floor where the thick canopy of trees prevents it from drying up. The water isn’t really deep enough to be what most people would call a pond. It’s really more of a ditch but it is full of life. Tiny little fish-like creatures dart about through leaf litter on the bottom grazing on algae and snagging the occasional mosquito larvae.

When I was a kid there was a huge puddle out in the woods and it was always full of tadpoles and newts. As your shadow fell across the water the puddle would almost look as if it was boiling from all the sudden movement. In addition to the newts the tadpoles came from tree frogs and leopard frogs. It was practically an amphibian city with tadpoles in various stages of development. The surrounding forest was always full tree frogs and even to this day one of the most peaceful things in my life is laying in bed and listening to the tree frogs sing me to sleep. Even as I write this article there’s a tree frogs just outside my window singing.

There’s actually two types of tree frogs that frequent my home. The Eastern Gray Tree frog and Cope’s. To look at these two species you can’t tell the difference. In fact it wasn’t until we developed genetic testing that we knew for sure it was two unrelated species. But there is a way to tell the difference without trying to get a frog to spit in a cup. The two frogs sing a very different songs. Cope’s Gray Tree Frog has more of a trill where The Eastern Gray Tree frog has more of a warble sound.

By standing on my porch and listening I can tell that I have one male Eastern Gray Tree Frog in the front yard and Two of the Cope’s Gray Tree Frogs, one in back of the house and one down near the marsh off to the side. I’m guessing that the only way to know how many and what species females there are would be venture outside and see who shows up to each call.

As I lay here in my recliner listening to the lullaby/love songs of the tree frogs the peaceful feeling overcomes me and I must bid you a good night.

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