Exploring with the Granddaughter

Our granddaughter spent a couple of weeks with us and one of her favorite things to do here at the ranch is fish. So after dinner one night, we drove through the woods to what we refer to as Walnut Hill lake to take advantage of a different fishing spot. Of course, our faithful companions joined us. 

While we were there, we did a little exploring. We found lots of tiny frogs. 

There was some lovely Blue Waterleaf at the water's edge.

Along with some Common Buttonbush.

As we moved into the woods, there were a lot of American Beautyberry bushes.

They're not edible, but I love the purplish pink shade of the berries.

When you're wandering in the woods, you never know what you might come across. Things that are quite unexpected.

Looming in the trunk of a cedar tree that's still very much alive.

You don't usually find sea turtles in the woods. 

Would you believe our oldest son carved this with a chainsaw a couple of years ago? And we didn't discover it until much later. He never said a word. The black is some stuff he sprayed on the carving so the tree wouldn't die. Seriously? How does one know this stuff? Needless to say, Mama was impressed.

Later, granddaughter's fishing expedition paid off with a small bluegill.

Which was rather odd because that tank was never stocked with bluegill. Then again, the tank that was stocked with bluegill has bass now. Go figure. I'll tell you what, nature sure is interesting. It's always changing, always adapting, no matter what the weather.

How are things changing in your neck of the woods?

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com