Take few minutes to walk with me around outside. It’s so beautiful, and it’s good for us to soak up some sunshine and move our muscles and to just get away from that screen.

Just a short time ago, I took a break myself and went for a little walk on a beautiful day with my studio dog Zoey. We stretched our legs and took in the sights, smells and sounds. It was wonderful. Zoey and I would love for you to share in our fun…

It all started with a trip to the mailbox. Zoey always accompanies me there. She truly is my shadow ♥

Zoey playfully ran off after a squirrel and I watched her run from the cool shade. She will walk with me every where I go until she spots the enemy… squirrels.

I had been painting in my studio all morning and if felt great to get outside and breathe in the fresh air. I thought it would be a great time for a short break and to see what the landscape was looking like these days.

I walked down the gravel road a tiny bit and spotted these garlic chives across the way that I had been driving past every day for a while now but hadn’t taken the time to observe closely. Aren’t they pretty?

I thought they deserved a fancy shot as well…

I crossed the road again back into the shadows, the sun was getting hot. Even though it was officially fall, apparently no one told Mother Nature.

By this time Zoey came back to join me wondering what I was doing. I climbed up on this large dead sycamore tree that had fallen in a storm this past summer to see the view from here.

I looked down into the gravel which is really river rock as I often do and spotted a round “rock” that caught me eye.

Of course Zoey had to see what I was holding… I think it may be some sort of geode or possibly a fossil.

Either way, it’s cool and I love to look through the rocks to find all sorts of treasures.

Continuing down the gravel road… there are lots of sycamore trees around here. Some are quite large. Thankfully, this one is still alive. Have you ever seen how large a sycamore leaf can get? Huge.

I went as far as our creek, which is usually a little cooler from the water and shade. It looks like a deep forest in there. Deer and turkey are always running through.

I started to walk to the small opening in the woods and saw all the jewelweed just glowing in the sun. Bits of wild blue ageratum (blue mist) dotted in and out made a stunning site.

The little jewelweed flowers are so delicate. They remind me of snapdragons, one of my favorites.

To the other side of the opening through the woods is trees that were cut down by the electric company. I always hate seeing their trucks around. They tend to butcher everything.

Walking into the opening I see more flowers. Native Indiana wildflowers… jewelweed, Great Blue Lobelia and wild ageratum. Orange and purple are one of my favorite flower combinations.

It’s wet and shady in this area most of the time and you know what that will get you. Moss… it’s so beautiful close up.

While looking at the moss, I found this mystery piece of iron popping up out of the ground. Yes, I tried to pull it up but it is really in there. I’ll have to come back with something strong to pry it up with. I’ve got to know what it is! It might be treasure! (like this I dug out of the ground a couple years ago)

Along the wood line, I found this spicebush. I thought it was dogwood at first, but I posted it on the Indiana Native Plant Society FB page and someone corrected me. I’m glad they did too, I had spicebush on my list of trees to purchase sometime because they are a host for the native insects, namely spicebush swallowtail butterflies and over 20 species of birds. Also, deer, rabbits, raccoons, and opossums eat some form of this bush. I’m sorry the photo is blurry.

Walk with me further up the hill… Yes, we’ll have to leave the cool shade a bit but it will be worth it.

See… as we get to the top of the hill we are rewarded with such a view!

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind me I’m not dreaming and I live this country life.

While we’re standing here, let’s go peek into the woods a little further. There’s Paw Paw trees in there but I’ve never once been able to find the fruit. I guess the critters get to it before I do.

Okay, we’ll head back now… Walk with me a little bit more.

We’ve made it around and we can take a little break here on the swing and watch the fish hit the top of the water and the frogs sing to each other. It’s very tranquil.

This is a beautiful Eastern Redcedar tree next to the swing. It is an aromatic tree. Redcedar fruit was used for making gin, cedar chests and once before they depleted the source… pencils. Of course the fruits are a favorite of cedar waxwings which we have many of around here.

While you’re here and sitting down, look up. What a site!

If you don’t like gin, perhaps a mimosa? haha… Here are the dainty leaves of the many mimosa trees we have. Their leaves fold up as it gets dark. They have such unique stringy puffs of pink flowers that smell wonderfully sweet and the hummingbirds love.

Ah… here we have the beautiful weeping willow. While I love all trees, the weeping willow holds a place dear to my heart. It was my mothers favorite tree and I cannot look at one and not think of her.

Well, we’ve ended our walk in front of this dead Golden Rain Tree. Oh there are bits of it still alive, but it’s dead for the most part. Lots of birds have found homes in it and they like to perch in there. Woodpeckers consider it a buffet. If you notice the rope, that is how my son climbs up into it. I’m not sure why it died. It’s not a native and maybe that is why, I don’t know. They have short life spans of about 50 years, so maybe it was just time.

While I’ll miss it, I don’t think I’ll replant another in its place. I’ve discovered the benefits of natives and want to encourage as many birds to my yard as possible.

Thanks for taking a walk with me, it’s been fun. We’ll have to do it again as soon as the leaves turn. Good bye September…

---

Learn more about me on the ‘About’ page in the menu at the top. I’m an artist – a painter mostly and an avid gardener. I paint a variety of subjects including birds, koi fish, my gardens, ponds and flowers as well as anything having to do with nature especially trees and tropical scenes. I also enjoy painting abstracts and have started created more and more of them. My most favorite thing to try to achieve in my painting is is mystery.

If you would like to keep up with what I’m doing, I have a newsletter e-mailed about once a month that gives you special status for invitations, birthday greeting and more. I’d love for you to add your email to my Friends and Collectors list!