Eaten American Scycamore Leaf

.
Interesting bug pattern.

Psalm 119:18
"Open my eyes,
that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law."

Red Bud Malaise

Red bud malaise of the tree cracking and bending over seen often in the woods.

Here these seem to be wood pecker holes of a downed Red bud tree.


Again the remains of Red bud malaise.



Exodus 15:13"In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed;
In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation."

Eastern White Pine

An Eastern white pine. Notice the tree below has a leader shooting up. Each spray of branches represents a years growth.



Psalm 65:10
You water its furrows abundantly,You settle its ridges,You soften it with showers,You bless its growth.

Park Scene

The blue spruce in the middle of the photo sets off this park scene.


Psalm 119:11
"Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You."

Basswood and Paw Paw Trees

Above is a canopy of Basswood and below is Paw Paw saplings in the understory. The trees in the background that are winding around each other are Basswood trees.




Psalm 119:2
"How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart."

Canada Geese On Flooded Missouri

These Canada Geese are at home on the flooded Missouri.




John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you,
that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation,
but take courage; I have overcome the world."

Hike Before Thunderstorm

A cloudy front came through from the north with force. My dog Molly and I got out and instead of heading for the woods we went to a hill overlooking the sky to the north.

The strong wind blew from the north for about 5 minutes then calmed down.

We had hiked up through uncut grass about knee high. Molly walked through it with her head held high.




Here are a couple of photos showing the storm approaching.


After the wind died down we inspected a row of trees along a gully. We then hiked back up a hill towards this hackberry tree. The tree provided shelter to jot down some notes. Soon after I got to the tree the thunder claps started to roll one after the another.

Wind through the trees and grass makes a soothing background sound to thunder in the sky. At this point an occasional raindrop hits me. Then the wind picks up again with a little more rain. The sky is starting to get darker. As I look to the east I can see a break in the clouds along the horizon but all above shows storms.

We headed back to the car as the rain started to fall faster. We went over to a row of trees that sheltered us from the north wind and rain as we walked. Finally at the bottom of the hill we were in a deluge. Se we ran up a steep embankment to the car.

The hike was exhilarating.


Proverbs 25:13
"Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters."

Summer Woods Obstacles

Why do I like to hike in the woods in the heat of the summer? I have to put up with these stick tites though the seeds have not come out yet. When they do my pants are covered with them.

Other things that would keep people from going into the woods in the summer are:
Sweat from the humidity and heat.
Cobwebs in my face.
Spiders getting on my neck.
Mud.
Ticks
Poison ivy (it has not bothered me, but I stay clear when I can)
mosquitos
snakes
thorns
thirst (the water I carry is warm when I drink it)
When I was climbing out of a creek I reached up on a bank and my hands burned from the poison of a weed I touched.
Obstructed view.
Logs hidden under weeds that present a tripping hazard.
Ants that bite when I sit down to rest.


Here is my dog below me, getting some needed water. This shows the steepness of what I hike in.

In spite of all this I still hike in the summer woods. Why? Because I love it. I don't notice these problems much because I am focused on other things.

Jesus asks us to follow Him and this sometimes will entail some problems. If we love Him we will overlook the problems to be a help to other people.

2 Timothy 1:8
". . . but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God."

Survive Flooding

Black willow (most likely) in its element. High water and flooding.


Reading a report that listed trees that can survive flooding of more than one year.

These trees came from a study in the Missouri river and lower Mississippi river after the 1993 flood.

Water hickory
Pecan
Button brush
Swamp privet
Green ash
Water locust
Deciduous holly
Water elm
Overcup oak
Nuttall oak
Black willow
Bald cypress.

Job 27:18-20
" He has built his house like the spider’s web,
Or as a hut which the watchman has made.
He lies down rich, but never again;
He opens his eyes, and it is no longer.
Terrors overtake him like a flood;
A tempest steals him away in the night. "

Yahoo

I got my camera back from the shop.

Missouri River is Down

From what I can tell there is a 7 foot drop from the high water to the current Missouri river level.

Public Works had just finished cleaning up the area when I got there. You can still see the high water mark on the pavement and the dead grass above.



Psalm 3:1,2,3
"Many are rising up against me,
Many are saying of my soul,
There is no deliverance for him in God.
But You O Lord are a shield about me."

Indian Mound

Here is an Indian burial mound in Kansas City. My family took a trip through Iowa and saw many burial mounds through the state.

Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa