Bent Twig Loop Part II, Bernheim Aboretum & Research Forest!

Let's continue our hike along Bent Twig Loop . . .

Walking along Bent Twig Loop trail, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, there were many dead trees off of both sides of the trail. No doubt these are victims from storms past. You might ask what could I possibly find these first few days of winter deep in the woods. Well I happened upon a wide range of fungi growing in various shapes, sizes and colors.

Bent Twig Loop trail is located in a particuarly moist area situated close to the silos at Bernheim and is traversed by a small woodland stream. It's the perfect growing environment for fungi. Judging from the sizes of these white bracket fungi, I'd say they have been growing on this branch for quite some time. If you want to learn more about bracket fungi, just click on my previous post here, carolmattinglyphotography.blogspot.com/2011/06/bracket-fungi.html.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as I did. Visiting with family and friends at my sister's house was such fun, not to mention quite yummy, as JoAnn is a superb cook. I'm hoping she's getting some much needed rest today. On my Christmas wish list this year, I asked for a copy of Sharon Receveur's new book, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, which JoAnn and her hubby gave me. Oh, what fun I'll have reading this book. I've included a photo of its gorgeous dust jacket. The main image was taken by J. D. Stone, with insets on the dust jacket and inside photos by Tavia Cathcart. I think J. D. and Tavia did Bernheim well. Isn't it stunning? Tavia Cathcart is the executive director of Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, situated in Oldham County, Kentucky, directly northeast of Louisville. She is also a naturalist at Bernheim. If you're in the area, stop by Creasey Mahan as it's a great place to take a hike. And in early morning, you'll see many deer lazing about in the tall grass areas.

The book features chapters on Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, the park's founder, as well as its history throughout the years and the various community events that take place throughout the seasons. And, of course, there are many chapters featuring the park's plants and animals that make Bernheim their home. This beautiful book received the "Nautilus Book Award" given to "works that promote spiritual growth, conscious living & positive social change, while at the same time they stimulate the "imagination" and offer the reader "new possibilities" for a better life and a better world" taken from the Nautilus Awards website. Read more about the Nautilus Award here, www.nautilusbookawards.com.

Please stop by again this week to view more images of my Christmas Eve hike along Bent Twig Loop. No doubt all of that holiday feasting and gift unwrapping has left you exhausted so get some rest. ENJOY!