Common Blackberry... in the snow

Even in the coldest parts of winter, animals have a way to survive. They either store food or seek out plants that are still green or giving up fruit. In this case, a Common Blackberry is still green long after its fruits are gone. This plant probably survived the harsh cold snaps due to its sheltered life under trees, leaves, and other plants.

Notice the three coarse, compound leaves. They are not attached to one another as in other brambles or members of the Rubus genus. All brambles fall under the same family as roses, and you'll notice a slight rose smell as you get near them.

Scientific name:
Rubus fruticosus

A thank you...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Victoria formally for asking me to help with her blog. She is the one who made me the most interested in "photoblogging." Before this blog, I did have several plain ol' blogs. I had also done a thesis on the blogging phenomenon. However, I had never really had any use for my own photoblog. But, she did. It is her hobby and a great relaxer after a stressful day. I admire that and hope to contribute in a respectful way.

This also prompts me to update my blog. I too have been busy these past few weeks and had to give into the needs of school, work, life, etc. My work on this blog will continue, and I hope you will give it a few lookovers yourself. It is more of a personal study of nature, so any comments will be appreciated.

Take care,
Nate
AKA Missouri_Wilderness

Ice Storm

Just under a year ago we had a heavy ice storm hit this area. But, it wasn't the last of the ice. Two weeks ago, ice hit again. And, though there wasn't much left to fall from the last storm, there was still quite a bit of damage.

This picture was taken in the woods near my home. The foreground tree is a hickory, and most of the background trees are walnuts, sassafrases, paw-paws, and Osage Oranges. All of these are tough plants and could withstand most of the force exerted by the ice. The problems come from large, older trees which either stand alone or along the edge of the woods. These trees branch much further out than the inner trees because of space. Inner trees tend to grow straight and have fewer branches to snap. Although there is some snapping, the trees usually survive. Woods and forests simply compound the problem by having many trees that drop maybe one or two branches each. This causes a fire hazard and is a good reason to look into prescribed burns and brush cleanups.