A most unique tree-hug this morning.

What amazing bark.  An over-the-top tree fashion-statement.

Even the snow was in awe.

Many a woodland-story are recorded on the peeling reams of tree-paper.

It was a glorious time  in the woods this cold morning.

One of my favorite trees, the American Hornbeam, showed off its snowy-apparel. 

It's easy to understand why this tree is also known as Musclewood!

The sun lit countless mesmerizing snow-sparkles everywhere I looked.  It also made it feel a little warmer than yesterday, even though it wasn't.

A little sprout-being peeked out to see who was visiting,.  

Curious ice-smiles and stone-faces appeared through the frosty stream.

And nearby a squirrel snow-art display on a fallen tree.  Message:  Step into the beauty of the season.  Step into your heart and love for nature.  Magic, love and light await you.

It was COLD this morning.  10 degrees!  Needless to say it was a quick tree-hug.

I'm still looking at the ways the trees wear the snow.  Which was good because it was even snowing.  This tree caught my eye with its many terraced snow-balconies.

Was that a baby tree-owl in the hollow?

A sleepy looking trunk-lady said it was time to rest.

It was so cold even the leaning tree-X said it was enough.  Message:  Explore what you've never explored.  Be bold with your love of life.  And don't forget to rest.  Peace

A special group of snowy tree- beings and stories were part of today's tree-hug.

I was greeted by a big-eared snow-fox.

A rather large  tree-mouth yawned through some gracefully-draped snow.

A queen-of-hearts bark-lady peered down from her throne over the snow-offerings below.

Fashionable snow-caps were modeled by local tree-models.

And an especially cute seal-faced tree-bump with a snow-toupee.  Message:  Have fun.  Keep it light.  Remember to play.  Peace

Snow!!!  I am happy because I've been looking forward to seeing how the different trees wear the snow.  And double happy because today I actually got hugged as I hugged this tree.

It was an unusual tree-group.

They wore the snow beautifully.

In snow-filled nooks and bark-crannies..

Peaceful landing-places for the transitory winter-visitors.

And puffy snow-puppies raced up the tree.

A honking snowy tree-goose in flight.  Message:  So much to see with fresh eyes in this winter-wonderland. Step outside and experience the magic.  Be hugged by natures pure love.  Peace

I felt strongly drawn to this elegant tree today.

A glorious tree-goddess blessed all before her.

An intricate interlaced bark-highway to the sky. 

Her balance and grace invite peace.  A pure presence in a complicated world.  Message:  Come home to nature.  Find her peace.  Be blessed.  Peace

A cold but thrilling tree-hug this morning.

A confident tree-diva sang out from her heart.

While a long-trunked tree-elephant trumpeted in accompaniment.

Arms raised high, the well-weathered tree-conductor made beautiful tree-music..

And the tree-ladies danced along.  Message:  Let the music of nature warm you.  Infinite songs of the heart await you there.  Dance and be free.  Peace

A field-goal tree-hug this morning.

Even though it was only 20 degrees out all was brightened by the brilliant sunshine and blue sky.

A sassy tree-girl wasn't afraid to show a  little tree-attitude.

While a barky trunk-man on his mossy ledge  enthusiastically cheered  his team.

An ancient ripply-rock had a remarkable life-story to tell.  

All amidst the serenity of this woodland retreat.  ​Message:  Let the light lead you to your goals.  Live strong and real.  Make history for yourself.  Peace

It was a cold morning for a tree-hug.  i was called to this tree by a flickering oak leaf that from a distance looked like a golden ball of molten glass.

Dressed for winter the sturdy tree-beings danced in the icy-wind.

Bark ski-trails in reverse to the sky

 Tree-balance and harmony.

If you look closely you might see a beautiful bark-maiden looking out towards the woods.  Her angel tree-kitty above her.  Message: Your inner warmth prevails despite the cold wind blowing.  Center and follow your light.  Dance with your angels.    Peace

There is something special about this part of the woods that keeps calling me back.

Today's tree was all about her curvy path to the sky.

While other tree-neighbors were happy to just observe and keep to their straight and narrow ways.

On the earth-side of things a more sedate sky-view.  Message:  From top to bottom you get to be you.  Others will be who they are too.  Some will dance with you and some will just watch.  Find the beauty there.  Peace

Climbing tree-hugs are my favorite.

And this tree-group gave me a lot of hug for my climb.

Below, a tree-hand peeked out of a seamed hollow to welcome me.

The four tall trunks, flattened ridges and thickly layered furrows, made a powerful bark-statement.

Nearby, weathered-rock with a mossy layered-look made its own statement.  Message:  Find what you love.  It's okay to build your life in layers.  Make your statement.  Be you.  Peace

A tiny pop of color in the carpet of  brown leaves.  Another statement.

A melting-pot tree-hug this afternoon.

Occupied by a menagerie of friendly tree-beings and creatures.

A side-smiling tree-lizard.

An exotic-eyed mosaic bark-lady with a symbolic upward-arrow mouth.

 A kindly amorphous tree-being.

A sensitive-eyed tree-gorilla.

A hybrid tree-hippopotamus.

An adorable tree-worm.

A gentle tree-sheep.  Message:  Celebrate diversity.  Be kind, sensitive, friendly and gentle.  Keep smiling.  Peace

A breath-taking tree-hug at Omega Institute this morning.

Tree-arms lifted with love to the heavens.

Grandmother-pine welcomes all that come before her with open tree-arms and unconditional love.

A thoughtful trunk-being offered gifts of green.

A tree-usher pointed towards a tree-stairway to higher realms.

As I was taking pictures I heard something walking through the dry leaves.  To my thrill and amazement a red fox with a bushy white-tipped tail trotted by.  Message:  Open your arms to nature.  Accept her love and abundant gifts with gratitude.  May the unexpected bring joy to your life.  Peace

Even though it's the middle of January the sweet song of a nearby bird felt like a dose of spring.   

It led me to this magnificent beech-beauty on a hillside.

A powerful tree ram's horn curved high above me.

A weary tear-stained tree-being was stoic.

A beech-youngster reached up to mother-tree.

And welcomed the rising-sun with open tree-arms.  Message:  Day by day we get closer to light.  Indeed the love of mother-nature sustains us through the darkest time.  Hark the calls.  A new beginning is at hand.  Peace

A young tree-neighbor with a much different path.  Beech-tree looks amused.

From the other-side of tree-life a graceful tree-bird.

A glorious tree-hug-climb off the beaten path this morning.

A beautifully textured tree-being hailed the return of blue-sky. 

While below a wise tree-overseer managed his root-domain.

Old and young tree-life supported through the vast and intricate root-system.

A surreal root-lady floated in space as if by tree-magic.

Part of a gnarly root-sculpture in the middle of our woodland-gallery.

I had a moment of hilarity when my put-out-of-the-way mitten appeared unexpectedly, worn by my mischievous tree-friend. The sun brightened with my laughter.  Message: Trust your inner wisdom.  As things from the past fall away space is opened for new creative things to take root.  Laughter brings  light.  Peace

A dreary drizzly morning tree-hug with a magnificent new oak-friend.

An imposing woodland-presence.

The layers of its life displayed for all to see and wonder about.

A solid Taurean tree-bull with a direct yet gentle gaze.

Great love and loyalty bestowed upon his nearby tree-family and friends   ​Message:  No matter how cold, dark or dreary our winter-time may be there is incalculable beauty and honest presence awaiting us in nature.   Let it's mystery involve you. Peace

And in case you didn't know, foam can form at the base of a tree when it rains.  Rain dissolves chemicals on the bark as it flows down.  This changes the surface tension.  The subsequent turbulence and introduction of air creates the foam. 

Over ten months of tree-hugs I have become more comfortable looking closely at the dead, dying and wounded parts of trees.  Today I honor that part of tree-life.

A diminutive tree-gargoyle.

The authentic tree-Scream.

A Gothic tree-cathedral.

An up close look at tree-healing magic.

The remains of lost tree-limbs healed long-ago, now a righteous tree-totem.  Message:  Step towards what challenges you.  Needed growth and healing is there.  Peace

There's a freedom in exploring the woods in winter. Less undergrowth makes for easier walking.  And no leaves makes it easier to see the trees from the forest. 

Some curious tree-beings peeked out through the tangle of trunks and limbs overhead.

A serious looking tree-philosopher gazed out into his forest.

An impish tree-character posed with a bark-bearded elder-friend.

A richly-textured tree-lady was wearing a little too much lipstick.

Nearby a bright splash of green felt wonderful.  Message:  Every season has its gifts. you can find yourself even through the tangle of contradictions.  Blessings abound.  Peace

Shoots of new  life emerge through a wound.

A new tree-friend hug this morning.

One of my interests has been how different trees 'wear' the snow. This friendly tree offered a safe nook for an adorable snow-bunny to rest.

An exquisite trunk-window, almost a heart.

Tucked into a bark-crevice I came upon a peaceful sleeping tree-man.

An old wound sealed by expert tree-fingers.

Double trunk-beings living in harmony.  Message:  Find your safe haven to rest.  Look to nature for reminders of peace and harmony.  Examples of love and healing.  Peace

I was looking forward to visiting this double-trunked shagbark hickory this morning. Though, I must say its shaggy layered bark makes for difficult tree-hugging.

These kissing shagbark tree-friends weren't shy.

A nearby long-browed bark-being tried not to look.

And a laughing shagbark-clown looking down at me thought the whole thing was pretty funny.  Message:   Sometimes it's hard to get close.  Stay focused on the love.  And don't forget to laugh, it helps.  Peace

A proud towering tree-hug this morning.  

It was troubling to see the presence of some invasive vines.  We did our best to help it out.

A grateful tree-fellow tipped his hat to me.

While a lacy textured bark-lady showed off her lovely tree-figure.

At the base a many-toed tree-being beamed solid and secure tree-energy. Message:  Stand secure amidst the entanglements of life.  Helping hands do appear as you need them.  Be grateful.  Let your inner beauty shine.  Peace

Ice-magic on the woodland-stream.

A giant tree-hug this morning with stories of survival.

Towering over her woodland neighbors.

Spectacular adaptation.  Miraculous support. 

Fulfillment of purpose.

A long tree-life celebrated.  Message:  Step out into nature.  Be inspired.  

A cold wind  speeded up this morning's bendy tree-hug.

I was amazed how the bent trunk created a shadow like leaf-creature.  

While a similar shaped tree-creature looked out from above.

A horned tree-buffalo in a proud pose. 

Cold beauty in the woods today.  Message:  As above so below.  Keep your hearts warm despite the cold wind.  Appreciate the shadow to see the form.   Peace

A bright and beautiful morning for a  warm-bark tree-hug. 

The hillside-stream sang sweetly as it flowed by.

Tree-roots and moss grateful for the essential nourishment.

I noticed on a nearby tree the sunlight magnified through an ice-droplet.  Message:  Be warmed and nourished by nature's abundant gifts.  Find light in the simplest of places.  Peace

A stick-figure ice-lady sat on the edge of the water happy that I noticed her ephemeral presence.

I saw this tall-one the other day and had to return for a hug.  

Beautifully textured, straight and majestic.

High above it expressed its version of almost infinity

Many, many years spent climbing to the sky, a group endeavor.

Deep perfection, in barkdom.

And nearby, on the other side of life, traces of an unseen tree-consumer.  Message:  Dive deep into the ever present world of nature.  It is here for a reason.  We are a part of its infinite expression.  Peace