Why do people head south in the winter? The simple answer for this gardener is so I can be outside and enjoy nature in ways that don’t require a snow shovel or scraper.
The camellias are blooming 
here, and the daffodils are getting to the point where we’ll see buds pretty soon. The pansies are out and being installed in many plantings. I had to buy a pot to set on our balcony. I had to.
One of the highlights for me when I visit Brookgreen Gardens is to see the turtles all clustered together on logs leading into the water. The first couple of visits, there were no turtles to see – too cold. Yesterday, there were four. The weather is getting there.
Since so many love squirrels, I tried to get a shot of this southern fox squirrel that scurries around Brookgreen. I did my best, but, folks, he’s quick. Look at that face and those ears.
Sometimes, nature comes in the form of amazing art, and we enjoyed these two beautiful sculptures from artists hailing from Illinois and Colorado.
But, you may still be wondering why return once a week. Well, because if you are going to walk for exercise, you might as well have a good running conversation with friends and be surrounded by live oaks dripping with moss and resurrection ferns.
Here’s hoping you have an opportunity to enjoy nature and the beauty of the outdoors. I just hope it doesn’t include the shovel that starts with an ‘s’. 🙂
It’s starting to warm up a little here, too.
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That’s great because there is nothing like a nice dose of warm weather and sunshine to perk a person up. 🙂
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So nice to see images of spring in early February. I love the flowers and the critters.
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I think that one guy is Sammy’s distant cousin twice removed. 🙂
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fox squirrel. In that one shot, it looks a bit like a big ferret. No outdoors for me today, as both people working the day shift have the flu. It’s going to be a long, indoor day for me, but as it’s quite cold here, the indoor part is OK. 🙂
janet
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You certainly captured our fun afternoon. Thanks for sharing
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We too head to warmth but to the… southWest. We also do not like those things called shovels that start with an “s” !!!
Your spring nature shots are lovely! I too just planted pansies… a little Spring here in the Southwest is always needed. And their lovely color!
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We had lovely early summer like weather yesterday. It was glorious! Who knows how long that will last.
I think that moss and fern covered tree is glorious too! WOW, a Grandmother Tree perhaps? 🙂
I have never seen a fox squirrel. How wonderfully different they are!
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I want to walk there, i love live oaks and moss and grass and sunshine and love that photo with the turtles. what a gorgeous place to walk.
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It was truly a amazing experience. Every step was a new experience and new sighting. Thank you for such a great day. I understand why you keep going back.
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Yes, I’d rather be planting than shoveling snow!
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I’m afraid that the beauty of the outdoors in New Hampshire this week does include the letter S in the forecast. That squirrel looks like it mated with a raccoon! 🐿
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Isn’t that squirrel something? My friends from NH and ME who have been coming down here for years kept telling me about them, and then yesterday I actually saw one. Those pointy ears are something else too.
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I didn’t even know about fox squirrels. Thanks for posting some pictures. That face! As for moving south for the winter…you have certainly made a good case, even for those of us like winter. 😉
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I never minded winter until my back decided I shouldn’t shovel. Then it became an issue. If I shovel, I have to wear a back brace and only scoop not pick up. If the snow is wet that doesn’t work. It just became a pain not only in my back. 🙂
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Yes, yes, yes, Judy, my visit to the garden includes a thing that starts with ‘s’. A lot of snow, dear. Love your photos and I noted that American squirrels are grey and ours are rusty (red) ones. Have a nice days enjoying without the ‘s’. 🙂
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I guess we have a plan. You comment here, and I can comment on your last post because the two warring platforms won’t let me comment. 🙂 Your winter wonderland garden is very pretty. And, yes, your beds will enjoy that snow melt. If I was home, I wouldn’t be able to do anything this month. Here, I certainly am enjoying the plants that are popping up all around.
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I just love the photo of the four turtles on that log. I’ve never even heard of a fox squirrel, but it’s interesting. Kinda weird and pretty all rolled up into one. Those garden sculptures are amazing. What an incredible talent and imagination to create them.
But the pot of pansies…..I am so jealous I’m turning green! I know you “had” to have them. I wouldn’t have been able to resist either. 😛 And what a gorgeous tree! What a beautiful park. Hope you have no weather forecast with the “s” word……not even showers!! Lol.
•••Ginger•••
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50’s today and bright sun. Tomorrow, it’s suppose to be mid 60’s with a chance of showers. Maybe it will hold off until bedtime. 🙂
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What a unique squirrel! Love the turtles too!
Calling for a wintry mix tonight, so we might have that “S” word ahead of us!
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Well, I will hope if it falls, sunshine follows and melts it before you have to get that particular tool out. 🙂
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LOL! Thank you 🙂
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I do enjoy watching it fall and my kids are hoping to be off school 🙂
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If the sun comes out in winter, I try to stop what I’m doing and go and stand in it for a while. Sunlight is really important, even if it’s freezing.
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Sunlight makes all the difference is your approach to the day. 🙂
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So I guess you miss tomorrow’s big missy snow, huh. Well, I forgive you. I’d be where you are if i had the choice!
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This has been one long fully loaded winter in New England. Stay safe and warm.
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messy, not missy
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We woke up with snow this morning 😬
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Hope it was at least light and fluffy. 🙂
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Lol,yes😉have a good Wednesday dear.
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You’ll be able to enjoy two spring flower shows – one where you are now and another when you go home. That sounds like good planning! After no rain since November, we got a really good wet weekend so the grass now has a tinge of green again.
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So glad you got some much needed rain. Enjoy that green. 🙂
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We will, because if we don’t get more rain soon the green won’t last long. Temperatures are heading up to 10 degrees C hotter than average again over the weekend.
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I totally love the photo with the turtles. So wonderful and peaceful. Have a great week!
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You too! Do you have a suggestion for a 15″ basic laptop that would just be used for a non profit to handle their blog and social media? Thank you. 🙂
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How nice to enjoy that warm (ish) weather! It’s very cold here, but only a minimal amount of snow.
I remember your turtle log from last year when it was loaded! Such a cool sight! And I’ve never heard of fox squirrels before! They look just as busy as the “regular” ones who feast on my daily deck buffet!
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I love your turtles, all in a line on the log, I could never get students to line up like that when I was teaching! The fox squirrel is very cute with those pointy ears, I wonder if they are a menace to gardeners the way possums are in Australia…(Possums also look cute)
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Good question about the squirrel. At home the native ones eat tulip bulbs, strawberries and low hanging blueberries which is definitely a menace to me. 🙂
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I’m so sick of the snow! My husband was just trying to get me to hop on a plane to Florida for the weekend to get away from it lol.
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The actual snow is one thing, and then when you add the lack of sunshine, it gets old fast. 🙂
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That it does!
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Bella bella! Thanks for sharing some sun 🙂
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I understand completely, as we face yet another storm tomorrow. ‘Wintry mix’ – how I hate that phrase!
That oak tree is amazing, btw!
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We’re tracking with your winter hideaway…camelias, azaleas, and daffodils all beginning their show. I do not miss the Tundra! Enjoy. 🙂
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Camellias! Pansies on patios! What wonders with which to start this icy cold day! And that tree is magnificent. I’m happy to have these images in mind when I grab that s-shovel! Thanks!
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I’m sorry to hear you had to use that word, but I hope it was at least light and fluffy. 🙂
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Of course you needed pansies! Your spot looks so welcoming and warm–I do understand the appeal and I am completely sick of winter, with a foot of snow to fall today. Ick. Enjoy what you have!
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If your face feels warm today, know it is me facing the sun just for you. 🙂
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That sounds great–thanks! And enjoy the sun for yourself, too!
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I don’t love squirrels, but wow, that’s an interesting one–never seen one here. The live oak is pretty great!
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I definitely belong to the group of “I don’t love squirrels,” but I knew there are many who do so I had to include this strange little guy. The face mask is one thing, but those pointy ears are creepy. 🙂
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I’m trying not to let the cold – and more snow today – get me down. When I see photos like the first one with the turtles lined up on the log, it becomes much harder. This has been one of the those winters when it seems that so many of my plans have been repeatedly cancelled because of the weather – and today was another one of those days 😕
I will just have to live vicariously through others like you and your lovely photos of weather that will come eventually here too.
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I will try to keep sunny photos coming your way. 🙂
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Yay! Much appreciated
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Thanks for your post. The warmth, sun, and flowers your photos convey, cheered me up this morning. I am at a winter standstill. I need Spring to come. I miss nature, and sun, and hands in the soil. You have captured my heart this morning. Enjoy your time there.
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Ever wonder why people travel west? Trick question: same answer. At home (Manitoba), it’s -22C (-7.6F), but here on Vancouver Island, the snowdrops are everywhere, and I even saw one patch of daffodils in bloom yesterday. I call it Time Travel.
Squirrels are so commonplace at home, that I always chuckle when I see people taking pictures of them. The one you captured is great, though. That face! The markings make it look like it’s half racoon!
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Fart. *raccoon* – I can spell, but my trigger finger was faster than my eyes.
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That squirrel ( me being a squirrel fan ) looks so interesting…almost as if he has a raccoon face! Well I had enough ice for the both of us yesterday 🙂 You can be happy that you missed it all 🙂 And you should be / you two made the right decision in regards to how to spend your winter months
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Those sculptures…WOW!
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Hi Judy, what part of the South are you in, if you don’t mind stating? Love the oak trees. Looks a bit like anywhere from South Carolina to North Florida. We are having a heat wave in South Florida – 70’s and low 80’s for a few days now. I do hope we are not skipping Spring again this year.
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We’re in Murrell’s Inlet just next door to Myrtle Beach, SC. Last year the weather here was unseasonably warm while this year it is on the other end. But, we’re still not needing to shovel so we’re happy. 🙂 Hope spring arrives for you and you don’t move right into summer. 🙂
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We actually went north for the holidays, but most years we go south. Your photos make me think maybe we’ll do south next year.
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No more of that S stuff around here Judy!!! Love being in the south when the rest of the US is f-f-f-freezing!
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Wow what a humongous tree! And I love the statue on the right – very tastefully done:)
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Way to hot here to be outside before 5pm. We are having a heatwave. Then I have to go out to rehydrate all the plants in pots. I do like those sculptures
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Thanks for sharing wonderful pictures of nature👌
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Wonderful post, and pretty awesome pictures too I must say!
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Pingback: Nature — NewEnglandGardenAndThread – ripras blog
I love nature so much. Nature is what we are made up of. I love the healing energies of nature
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I find winter to be romantic but my favourite season is autumn!
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so beautiful!
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Beautiful photos! Love Brookgreen Gardens —thanks for great memory
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Brookgreen Gardens is truly a gem. I only wish I could see either the winter or the summer lights. 🙂
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