Into the Woods

Rain came in and washed away most of the snow.
It made it seem like Winter might be loosening its hold but the temperature dropped again. 

The ground froze which made it easy to go for a walk in the woods without getting muddy.

The rain brightened up the moss, which became a vibrant green beacon for the eye.
My hiking apparel, consisting of black combat-style boots and cuffed jeans.

Pretty ruffles of Crowded Parchment.

Milk Toothed Polypore grows like an Elizabethan collar around this tree.
Its pristine paleness would leave Queen Elizabeth blushing in envy!

The were loving this tree! They covered the black bark in a sleeve of white.

Hexagonal Pored Polypore, with its honeycomb-like underside.

Turkey Tail, with purple, green, white and brown bands.

A little winter mushroom, that needs identification. I'll check back on it when it gets a little bigger.

Here's Witches Butter, not so jelly-ish anymore. It froze before it dried out too much.

Some old trees had lots of woodpecker holes. 

You can hear the sound of their drilling echoing through the woods.

White and orange rosettes of False Turkey Tail.

Pretty colors on the forest floor.

The red berries are from the bittersweet vine.

The birds have been eating them up and spreading their seeds around.

Bittersweet berries, with the yellow seed pods broken open around them.

A paw print of some animal, maybe a possum? Anyone know?

Oyster mushroom cluster on a fallen branch.

I really like the idea of getting to know the land around you. 

I've been trying to identify more and more of the things I find in nature.

It's a very peaceful and thoughtful process.

It helps lighten the winter blues/cabin fever of the cold, grey weather.