Nature

Posted on February 6, 2018 by

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’. 🙂

About NewEnglandGardenAndThread

Master Gardener who enjoys gardening, quilting, photography, and traveling.
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74 Responses to Nature

  1. Wandering Dawgs says:
    February 6, 2018 at 7:15 am

    It’s starting to warm up a little here, too.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Dan Antion says:
    February 6, 2018 at 7:51 am

    So nice to see images of spring in early February. I love the flowers and the critters.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. sustainabilitea says:
    February 6, 2018 at 8:16 am

    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

    Liked by 2 people

  4. syt says:
    February 6, 2018 at 8:17 am

    You certainly captured our fun afternoon. Thanks for sharing

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Nancy says:
    February 6, 2018 at 8:29 am

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  6. circadianreflections says:
    February 6, 2018 at 8:34 am

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Sandra says:
    February 6, 2018 at 8:38 am

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Donna says:
    February 6, 2018 at 8:53 am

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. lulu says:
    February 6, 2018 at 9:20 am

    Yes, I’d rather be planting than shoveling snow!

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Annie says:
    February 6, 2018 at 9:25 am

    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! 🐿

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Laurie Graves says:
    February 6, 2018 at 9:26 am

    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. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    • Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      February 6, 2018 at 11:32 am

      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. 🙂

      Like

  12. Nadezda says:
    February 6, 2018 at 10:07 am

    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’. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      February 6, 2018 at 11:30 am

      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.

      Like

  13. Murphy's Law says:
    February 6, 2018 at 11:41 am

    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•••

    Liked by 1 person

  14. joyroses13 says:
    February 6, 2018 at 12:11 pm

    What a unique squirrel! Love the turtles too!
    Calling for a wintry mix tonight, so we might have that “S” word ahead of us!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Ali says:
    February 6, 2018 at 2:32 pm

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Marilyn Armstrong says:
    February 6, 2018 at 3:07 pm

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  18. ortensia says:
    February 6, 2018 at 3:15 pm

    We woke up with snow this morning 😬

    Liked by 1 person

  19. the eternal traveller says:
    February 6, 2018 at 3:41 pm

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Cecilia says:
    February 6, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    I totally love the photo with the turtles. So wonderful and peaceful. Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Joyce says:
    February 6, 2018 at 6:00 pm

    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!

    Liked by 3 people

  22. germac4 says:
    February 6, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    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)

    Liked by 3 people

  23. cupcakesandmachetes says:
    February 6, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    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.

    Liked by 3 people

  24. joey says:
    February 6, 2018 at 9:30 pm

    Bella bella! Thanks for sharing some sun 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  25. Eliza Waters says:
    February 6, 2018 at 10:31 pm

    I understand completely, as we face yet another storm tomorrow. ‘Wintry mix’ – how I hate that phrase!
    That oak tree is amazing, btw!

    Liked by 2 people

  26. Ogee says:
    February 7, 2018 at 1:51 am

    We’re tracking with your winter hideaway…camelias, azaleas, and daffodils all beginning their show. I do not miss the Tundra! Enjoy. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  27. Oddment says:
    February 7, 2018 at 4:38 am

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  28. KerryCan says:
    February 7, 2018 at 6:32 am

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  29. pbmgarden says:
    February 7, 2018 at 6:34 am

    I don’t love squirrels, but wow, that’s an interesting one–never seen one here. The live oak is pretty great!

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Joanne Sisco says:
    February 7, 2018 at 6:57 am

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

  31. Away In Autumn says:
    February 7, 2018 at 9:43 am

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

  32. Leah says:
    February 8, 2018 at 11:35 am

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  33. Deb from Frugal Little Bungalow says:
    February 8, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    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

    Liked by 2 people

  34. Melissa Gillan says:
    February 9, 2018 at 3:10 pm

    Those sculptures…WOW!

    Liked by 2 people

  35. Suzanne says:
    February 10, 2018 at 9:22 am

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Judy @ NewEnglandGardenAndThread says:
      February 10, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      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. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  36. gardeninacity says:
    February 10, 2018 at 10:50 am

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

  37. Tina Schell says:
    February 10, 2018 at 10:23 pm

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  38. jesh stg says:
    February 10, 2018 at 10:51 pm

    Wow what a humongous tree! And I love the statue on the right – very tastefully done:)

    Liked by 2 people

  39. pommepal says:
    February 14, 2018 at 1:18 am

    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

    Liked by 2 people

  40. Nidhi says:
    March 3, 2018 at 10:06 am

    Thanks for sharing wonderful pictures of nature👌

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Dylan Dixon says:
    March 9, 2018 at 11:42 am

    Wonderful post, and pretty awesome pictures too I must say!

    Liked by 1 person

  42. Pingback: Nature — NewEnglandGardenAndThread – ripras blog

  43. mick25117 says:
    April 7, 2018 at 4:53 am

    I love nature so much. Nature is what we are made up of. I love the healing energies of nature

    Liked by 2 people

  44. mick25117 says:
    April 7, 2018 at 4:55 am

    I find winter to be romantic but my favourite season is autumn!

    Liked by 2 people

  46. Dr Dink says:
    May 16, 2018 at 5:30 pm

    Beautiful photos! Love Brookgreen Gardens —thanks for great memory

    Liked by 1 person

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