Wednesday Walk: My backyard in the Great Smoky Mountains

I would like to start this post by saying how grateful I am every single day to live in such a beautiful, natural setting! Big thanks to @tattoodjay for the #wednesdaywalk challenge, because it encourages me to remember to share this special corner of the globe with you!

After a balmy 60 degrees on Monday, the rainfront behind the warm air finally settled in yesterday. The temperature dropped all day, and by early evening the rain turned to sleet and snow. This morning we awoke to a small amount of snow, maybe an inch or two, over most everything.I won't wander too far in the cold (well, snow...) but I needed to check on the birdfeeders and we decided to take a short walk around the homestead.

This time of year the holly really shine with their bright red berries and strong green leaves.

We have way more hollies on the property than I would like, but this particular tree is certainly the king of them all. He stands majestically near the western corner, watching over those who come and go from our home.

We were very diligent about keeping the feeders with food in them throughout the spring and summer so the birds have been busy and happy to have a stable food source now. Carolina chickadees, tufted titmice, carolina wrens, nuthatches, and many other species stay active here year round. This morning I knocked a bit of snow off, freshened the suet, and added some more black oil sunflower seeds. Maybe one day I will be able to get some photos of the birds, but my photography equipment is currently nothing more than my cheap cell phone!!

Since we had a good rain, the creeks are rushing today. The sound of the water here in the mountains is always soothing to me, even when the creeks are full and overflowing! I found this pretty cascade down near the mailbox after I was done with the birds.

My gnome looks just as unimpressed with the wet white blanket as I do...

...and lucky for his neighbor all the magic of imagination can keep the inside of this little hut warm!!

The trail out back is well-used now that @aurynthenorse and @cassidydawn are using it to run during p.e. class in the mornings.

The sunlight filtering through the snow-dusted trees is nice.

This bench is covered in moss, but you can't tell it today.

When we made it down to the creek on the northern border, we found a salamander on the edge of the water. He was practicing his camouflage superpowers!

I hope that wherever you are in the world, you are able to take a moment and appreciate the beauty around you!!! Soak up this full moon energy as it circles the globe during this 24 hour period. For those who would like to join in spirit as we celebrate the full moon turning here in the Great Smoky Mountains, I offer you the light of a candle to find your way home ~

Thanks for reading!