The Bad Bath

We're not much for bird baths and although usually filled with rain water, I can't say I've ever seen a bird washing up. I'm going to hazard the assumption that bird baths are a thing out of drier climates. Out of place here and with a swath of moss removed to plant ferns given to us by our neighbor, I reinvented the bath as dish of moss.

Taking Spring

At the morning table with coffee, I was a bit taken by the sudden appearance of a green tree among the gray. When did this happen? 

A basswood, apparently young, but one never knows as trees will linger under the shadow of larger trees for years.

It looks to be algae growing over lichens only on the north-northeast side of the tree. That it is only this tree is surprising. There are plenty of trees with this exposure, many also slim and lack vigor.

Of course, there are other greens on trees. Like these mosses at the base of a nearby white oak, Quercus alba.

_____________________

Although only forty something, the breezes were a moist balm. Rain was on the way, the first rain of spring, and likely the first since October. I lingered outside wearing only a sweater. Toms pace the slough casting their garbled opinions. A red squirrel spits its rattling chastisement. Trilling robins blaze high limbs. The dimly lit woods is colored by sound. The animals take spring sooner than we do.

Ft. Greene Moss

Gathers Moss

I visited my friend and high school art teacher this past weekend. She lives in Stony Brook, LI. Many who came later to this enclave cut down or topped up their oaks to force a lawn. But in her neck of the woods, the canopy of oaks and understory of mountain laurel and introduced rhododendrons reign predominant. Her garden is a place of dappled light and deep greens. She has many hostas, ferns, and snakeroot. I introduced her to snakeroot's cousin, the purple perennial ageratum, two years ago to her delight. In recent years, but with this year standing out, her garden has become quite the home to moss.

Stepping stones float on a cushion.

The moss is luxurious visually and soft to the touch.


The old driveway.

What I really like is the light and shadow play on the mossy paths.

Moss Definitely

One of the things that makes farming tough in New England is the surface bedrock. When you can't move it, farm around it. This rock is in the center of the farm field and is quite a bit larger than the small part I show here. On it grow a variety of mosses and lichen, and some grass. I can not name them (because my moss book is at home), but they look good to a non-farmer.

The moss book, by Bill Cullina, Native Ferns, Moss, and Grasses.