Trees That Are Not Straight

While walking the other day I noticed this bent tree that reminded me of Punkn's spiral palm tree.



This tree bends 90 degrees about three feet off the ground and then runs parallel to the ground for a few feet where two branches shoot skyward and the trunk ends. Someone has taken pains to spray graffiti on the trunk telling people something they will already instinctively want to do - and that is "sit" on the flat surface and pretend they are riding a horse!

Fifth Foto in the Phifth Pholder

Challenged by Punkn to play the "Fifth Foto in the Phifth Pholder" game, I dove right in. Of course, unlike Punkn, I won't find any beautiful Grandkid photographs - and I was truly afraid I would discover blurry squirrel butt shots or ... something worse.



But what turned up was kind of unusual - if not a little sad. It took me a while to remember why I took this picture and then finally it dawned on me. A photograph of a trashed filled culvert? What was I thinking? Well if you look closely, the black square shaped object with a grey side resting between the two water inlets is a computer.

I speculate either someone got fed up playing the Redneck Playstation game that Yellow Dog Granny sent me (here) or perhaps they loaded Windows Vista late one night and ran into trouble?



A closer view. I wonder if I should go back there and pull it out? Chuckzan would probably appreciate it if I did.

Tarzan's Cousin, Chuckzan!

As I wrote previously, I had some excitement on Monday evening while walking in Valley Forge National Historic Park. I saw a bunch of wild squirrels and I started seeking one to take a photograph. Remembering to be polite and to say "please", I approached at least fifteen different squirrels and most of them ran off before I could even ask if I could take a photograph.

Gosh, these wild critters are so nervous, unpredictable or jumpy, they are sure squirrelly! But, finally, at long last, I did get one fellow to cooperate.



No sooner than I had taken the picture I heard this God-awful yelling behind me! It sounded like

"AAaaaAAaaaAAAaaahhhh corRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRooorooooRRRrrrrrrrn!!!"

I quickly turned and saw a shadow flashing by me on the ground... I took the quick, reflexive shot, not knowing how it would come out... And this is what I got!



It was Chuckzan! The King of the Squirrels swinging on a vine!! Well, his shadow anyway...

A Walk in the Woods

My repaired camera in hand, I took a walk in Valley Forge National Historic Park just before sunset yesterday to enjoy the awesome weather and to check out the camera. I was happy to have the camera back - and it is in excellent working order.

I had a bit of excitement while walking - but I'll save that for tomorrow's entry.

Today, I just want to look at these pictures and lose myself in the peaceful calm.



The branches are still bare - but the buds are starting to sprout.



It was warm enough for the hibernating turtles to wake up for a snooze in the sun.



I hope you will click on this picture and imagine running your fingers softly over the bark of this sycamore tree. Perhaps you can see why they are also called Buttonwood trees.