Wednesday Walk: My backyard in the Great Smoky Mountains

in #wednesdaywalk5 years ago (edited)

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!

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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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!

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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!

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Even with the snow I see a magnificent natural beauty... :-)

you sure are surrounded by such wonderfaul naturla beauty

Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :)

a cool walk, a pleasure to me! I especially loved the salamandra, gnome covered with snow, and deciphering P.E. (physical exercises it is... right?!)

ps. may I invite you to check my post... its a bit dated,
but there are some cool shots of 1st snow at my location!

Ahh yes, physical education! I got some good finds for the #fungifriday post tomorrow too. The mushrooms grow always here!

ah.. so its education, not exercises! but I was close :))))

mushrooms grow always here!
still growing, even under the snow?

feel free to share them with us without any doubts, my friend! its a good tag, I assure you. completely harmless (not like some of the shrooms)

!BEER



Hey @freemotherearth, here is a little bit of BEER from @qwerrie for you. Enjoy it!

Wow, really beautiful pics and post! Thank you for another great one @freemotherearth

Thanks! I don't know if you have been in this part of the Appalachians before, but you will find that the ecosystem isn't so different from the area of Oregon that is west of the Cascades. I loved it when I lived out there; I would probably be back there if I wasn't here!

Oh that's awesome! No I have actually never visited the Appalachians. It is very VERY beautiful though. So far my favorite places have been Glacier National Park (I lived very close to those mountains when I was a kid and hiked in the mountains every weekend), and Colorado, Estes Park. I would like to visit Yosemite as I have not been, but NOW I would also like to visit the Appalachians! :)

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Gorgeous view

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