winter wonder walk

It's been a few weeks since my last posting here. Today I want to take you with me on a winter wonder walk through the Black Forest.
Make sure to thank @joanmanuelg if you like this writing. Why? Well he wrote a really nice comment under my last post and pointed out that not everybody has the opportunity to experience snow like I do. I'm thankfull for his note 'cause sometimes I forget how privileged I am to have this possibility. To be able to stroll through the forest like that is no naturalness. Especially in the face of the global pandemic.
Thus: snuggle up and make yourself comfortable to observe through my perception.

Where I come from there is this saying that loosley translated goes like this: April, April! Does what it wants! It's content is related to the frequent changes in the weather. For instance: One day it's warm and sunny like a perfect summerday. And the next day the temperature drops and the snow falls in thick flakes. This happend a few weeks ago and I decided, inspired by the mentioned comment, to grab my camera and slip into my shoes. Strolling through the fresh snow, diving into the silence of the forest and let my attention shift to the tiny details of this world.

Here you can see a small ilex aquifolium. Since it's a evergreen plant and it's bright red berries appear in the darkest months of the year - ilex is a symbol of hope and love. It's worshipped since centuries and used for decoration especially for christmas. But I would not recommend to do this for two major reasons: First of all, every part is poisonous. And secondly: it's a dioecious plant. This means there are female and male plants. The female plants are those which carry those bright read berries. Which are desired for decorations. But think about what happens if you take every female plant: It's condemned to fail reproduction. Thus it's endangered. So I'll beg you: admire it's beauty where it grows and do not take it with you!

Look at those breaking buds with it's little snow hat! Adorable! I have to admit, that I can't tell you what kind of tree this one is. Maybe some of you can identify it?

Following: the blooming delicate female willow catkins of a salix caprea. For some of those who suffer from hey fever, it's pollen are the trigger for this nasty condition.

And here we have one of the early bloomers. Tussilago farfara. One of the oldest medicinal herbs for treating a rough cough. As you can see: those tender plants did not expect to be covered by snow after enjoying the warmth of the spring-sun.

Since I was passing it anyway I decided to take a closer look at the secret morel place of my beloved. The one who takes care of this curious cat had to work on this day. To assure a better life for his little kitten. Thus I used my "special hunting skills" to get some of those mushrooms he's eager to try. And luckily I did found some. Next to fragaria vesca I spotted a really small baby of morchella elata as well as a bigger one and one which got teared down by someone or something. I left the baby at it's place and took the two bigger fungi with me.

For those who are as curious as I am: In this picture you can see some exposed mycelium. This is the actual mushroom. Mycelium is also called the "wood wide web". This is probably the mycelium of the morels since they are so close to the place where I found the visible part of the fungi. After taking a picture I covered it to protect this fragil and delicate web from dehydration and frostbite.

You all probably know blueberries but did you ever see where they are growing? Here you can see some wild vaccinium myrtillus and it's first small buds. It will still take a few month until they bloom or even carry those delicious fruits.

During my walk the snowflakes fell onto the ground. Dancing trough the trees, swirled by the freezing cold wind. Although I was shaking because of the cold, I could not stop to admire the beauty of this moment. I could not stop looking at the dancing snowflakes. I could not avert my gaze from the shifting play between light and shadow on the glittering snow. So truthfully beautiful. So fulfilling to observe. Even tho it's cold I didn't really feel it. Because the it self materialising beauty of life and change right in front of me was like an enchantment for my soul.

Just look at the pictures above! Those little sprouting offsprings of abies, fagus and larix in the middle of the snow. Those tiny things in life give me this vibrant feeling of hope.

As well as those tender anemone nemorosa and the bright yellow and green colour of chrysosplenium alternifolium! Just take a look at the sprouting sambucus, pyrus and corylus. Magnificent!

After approximate two hours of strolling through the white cold I returned home to make me some hot tea and warm myself up in a hot shower. To finish and summarize my experience for you I picked this quote from J.W.v. Goethe: "The living shall hope!"
Watch out and search for those small things in the every day life that surrounds you and you'll find a piece of peace for yourself. At least that's what I do and I can confirm with my whole beeing that there is nothing more vivid than the certainty of life itself.

Yours, truly: >^.^<