Naturally Wild

Winter is just around the corner! The days are getting shorter and the mornings are even colder. Outside, the foliage is turning mostly brown and those bright fall colors are fading. For those of us that relish in the beauty of fall, have no fear! Nature's fall magic doesn't need to stop just because we have come to a new season. While some of us dread the cold and try to hibernate with the rest of the woods, let's be innovate and resourceful! The outdoor adventures of fall only have a couple of weeks to go, but now is the time to plan our new ones for winter. A season on the rise brings the promise of new adventures and new discoveries. While fall may be folding its leaves and winding down to sleep, winter brings her own kind of beauty that shows Mother Nature's adaptations to all types of weather. Can you spot the ways that nature adapts to the cold?

When taking a walk in the woods, see what shrubs are still standing green. Bring back a specimen by taking a picture or even start your own field guide by sketching what you see. Discover what it is and how does it stay fresh and green in the shorter days? Most trees that stay green all winter are coniferous trees. They are commonly called evergreens and are characterized by their pine needles and cones. They are highly adapted to the cold and periods of low sunlight. Evergreens typically only grow above the 55th north parallel, or 55 degrees latitude. They keep their green pine needles all year around and only lose their oldest of leaves. Collect the ones that have fallen to the earth, see how many different categories that you can sort them into. Can you create garland or some holiday decorations with the fallen needles?

 

http://lifeofplant.blogspot.com/2011/05/conifers.html

 

http://elephantaday.blogspot.com/2011/11/elephant-no-57-pine-cones.html

The Palmetto trail winds all through South Carolina, it has many different levels of trails and hikes to explore. There are plenty of coniferous trees to see and identify. Click the link below to get started with planning your next hike.

http://palmettoconservation.org/palmetto-trail/map/

If you aren't from around the Carolinas or want to make a trip, maybe check out these hikes:

New Mexico:

http://alltrails.com/trail/us/new-mexico/pine-tree-trail

Utah: http://www.nps.gov/brca/learn/nature/bristleconepine.htm

Colorado: http://alltrails.com/us/colorado/conifer



To help out with your field guide here is a link to a list of coniferous and deciduous trees you may find:

http://www.adducation.info/mankind-nature-general-knowledge/deciduous-or-coniferous-trees/