At last, the sun came out today.  A welcome sight.

A beautiful black cherry tree-hug inspired thoughts of fluid grace.

Dancing in the tree-tops.

And reflections on life, death and freedom.  💚 Peace

Another rainy cold morning tree-hug.  

But then I saw these tree-eyes looking right at me and I wasn't so sure.

There was an interesting story of healing from an old  bark-wound.

And a lesson about rain-bubbles as they danced down the bark. Take delight in nature, rain or shine.  It is all good when you look for it.  💚 Peace

It was raining and 44 degrees this morning!  Had to pull out the cold weather gear and umbrellas.

The rain-glistening bark revealed more of the tree-contours and unique character.

A tree-couple nestled neatly together.

A Mick Jaggeresque tree-being sang Gimme Shelter.

While a more operatic tree-singer caught my eye on the way back.  Step up to the challenges. There is still magic at hand.  Find the songs in your heart.  💚 Peace

A lovely black birch tree-hug this morning, a bit off the trail.

Towering trunk-spires rejoiced in light and delicate spring colors.

As the black birch matures outer layers of its bark break into plates that curl away from the trunk and eventually detach.  

Sometimes taking the form of angel bark-wings.  Life can be challenging.  Trust the angels to be there when you need them.  💚  Peace

Sometimes I don't know what draws me to a tree until I start taking pictures.  

I noticed the way this twig was bending back toward the light and then saw peering down at me this sweet heart tree-eye. 💚

I was intrigued seeing how the branches emerged from the beech-trunk.

It's super smooth bark the perfect canvas for leaf-art.

And beech tree elephant-toes are still my favorite!  Find your joy in the presence of  nature's pure being.  💚 Peace

A prayerful energy from this tree-friend drew me over.

We were bathed in the peaceful morning sunlight.

There was a steady balancing presence.

Down the trail a bit something new! A springtime snowball with colorful sprinkles? Actually it's a wool sower gall.  It takes two years to form.  If you Google it I think you'll be amazed. The magic, mystery and wonders of nature await us friends.  💚 Peace

I feel so blessed having these magnificent trees to hug and the time to hug them.

They lift my spirits and give me hope.

Their power is comforting.

Their stories reassuring.  Find your home in Nature's generous arms and light.  💚 Peace

A perfect hugging-tree awaited me this morning.

Tree-arms wide open and inviting.  And such a sweet face.

She told a story of yin and yang.

And I felt angels dancing through the leaves.  Enjoy the harmony, joy and light of the season.  💚 Peace

I visited an old tree-friend for this morning's hug. 

A swirled bark-eye reflected on a long life-story of growth and transformation.

And a special tree-creature with bright bushy leaf-eyebrows posed proudly. So many nature-friends await us to share their magical charm and beauty.  💚 Peace

A friendly tree-greeter caught my attention just off the trail.  An invitation for this morning's tree-hug.

There were many birds keeping us company with their varied sweet songs, insistent calls and woody-drumming.  

What I did see was an unusual landing place for an empty half-nutshell ... I think from a different species tree.

Nearby I was excited to see the maple viburnum flowers bursting into exquisite springtime bouquets.

And back home a perfect star-of-Bethlehem flower revealed it's delicate green-heart.  Bring you heart to Nature.  Open it to the multitude of gifts awaiting you. 💚 Peace

A powerful teaching tree-hug this morning.

From the trail it looked like a 'regular' tree, but when I peeked around the other side it had a powerful tale to tell.

A wide-eyed tree-woman comforting her crying tree-baby looked out at the fallen-trunk they had been part of.

The split had happened many years ago and the fallen-one has fulfilled a different role in the woodland ecosystem.

Nature and the healing power of the trees continues to touch me deeply.  Stay strong.  Comfort and be comforted.  Trust in the healing-truths of Nature.  💚 Peace

I ventured into a different part of the woods this morning.  

A great (and diverse) gathering of mighty oaks and stately maples convened.

I felt drawn into the embrace of this great oak's trunk-energy field.

The glinting sun through open spaces was indeed magical and warming.  Stand in the light.  Accept the embrace of the earth's soul.  Be one with it all.  💚 Peace

A cool beech tree-hug this morning.

Fascinating bark-markings.

Tree-arms enveloped in the healing green light.

And a purposeful shadow-elf was seen writing with a shadow-quill pen.  Have fun.  Breathe deep. Welcome the soft embrace of the healing light.  💚 Peace

I learned some new things during today's tree-hug walk through the woods.

When the trunks, branches or roots of two trees grow together it is called inosculation.  It's similar to grafting.

This happens most commonly in trees of the same species, but can happen across related species.  In this example there is a birch and an oak.

In forestry such trees are referred to as gemels from the Latin word meaning 'a pair'.

Back along the trail I found this little pod, which I thought was some type of seed.

It is actually a gall that houses gall wasp larvae.  This particular one is associated with oak trees and is commonly called an oak apple!  Keep looking, keep learning, treasure the limitless wonders of nature.  💚 Peace

This morning's tree-hug was with a lovely tree I see often.  It has a very unique bark with thick horizontal lenticels.  I have yet to identify it.   The woods are filled in with green now and it's finally getting warm.  My garden calls so tree-stories will be less while I catch up with the magic right outside my door.  💚 Peace

Some friendly tree-beings welcomed me at this morning's tree-hug. I hope you enjoyed your weekend and ventured outside to breathe in the colors, smells, sounds and light. 💚  Peace

I stopped at a hornbeam grove for this morning's tree-hug.

The American hornbeam is also known as musclewood, for obvious reasons.

It's bark is smooth and cool to the touch.

The light created a most unusual tree-silhouette.

And just off the trail there was a perfectly camouflaged wood frog .  Step into nature to see and feel beyond the limits of your mind.  💚 Peace

I love when we come to a place in the woods where there are no traffic sounds. This morning's tree-hug was peaceful.

Never saw this before, a common brown cup mushroom on the trail nearby.  

And back on the home-front a special feather - wondering if it's from an owl?  Enjoy all the magic of spring.  💚  Peace

An unusual tree-hug this morning.  

A focused tree-lady was doing an advanced yoga pose.

A small leaf cast a long shadow under her tree-eye.

A bark-spiral where the two trunks meet.  Stay flexible, put the shadows behind you, have trust in the cycles of life.  💚 Peace

I stopped to visit a handsome tree-couple by the stream this morning. 

I felt enveloped in peace in their presence.

An unusual tree-wound revealed itself on the other side.

A very tall-tree hug this morning.

High above a lovely tree-lady danced with green new-light.

While below some interlocking bark-beings celebrated.  Dance, celebrate, embrace the light.  💚 Peace

A marsupial visitor in the backyard last night! Wow 💕

I was drawn to this secluded birch grove this morning.

A place of serenity.

I can't complain about weather because I've learned it's part of the magic of the woods.  How else would I see tear-trails of rain from birch-eyes.

Or be led to sensitive tree-faces.

And bark-wounds healed over with time.

Where glowing ringed tree-worlds told of their life-journey.

Nearby light-created diamond-droplets on newly born leaves.

And a perfect rain-grown toad-stool stood.  Step into the truth of nature's beauty with an open heart. 💚 Peace

A special sitting tree-hug on Mother's Day morning.

The flat-topped rock made for an easy sit.

It had been there for so long the tree grew around it.

Other rocks also fixed into place over time cascaded down the trunk.

Baby-leaves newly-sprouted out through the bark.

Nearby a  pine-youngster with new growth.

And a precious family of flowers.  Mothers are to be treasured forever.  💚 Peace

The light rain this morning brought a soft stillness to the woods.

A cozy retreat for a woodland creature.

Visions through the eyes of a cloaked bark-maiden.

May Lily fireworks display!

And a world of ferns unfurling fully formed.  Have fun.  Breathe in the simple blessings within every moment..💚 Peace

Translucent shades of green showered over this morning's sugar maple tree-hug.

Grateful tree-arms lifted to the light.

Tree-song permeated the air with stillness.

Tree-lovers danced in perfect harmony.

An ancient tree-soul reflected on the wonder of his woodland-home.  Share a moment of being with a tree-friend.  💚 Peace