It just occurred to me today that because of the flurry of activity over the holidays, the three-year reunion of The Trowbridge Chronicles passed uneventfully on January 1. It was then, just before midnight in 2006, that I posted the first page from Mrs. Trowbridge's journal. Happy Anniversary, Mrs. T.!
A reunion with my cousins over the holidays prompted me to post this page from Mrs. T.'s journal regarding a reunion with her cousins so long ago. Her reunion took place inside this nurse log that served as a tea shop. Note the tiny Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga pinaceae) seedling growing on the mossy top of the log. The little Banana slug (Ariolamax columbianus) looks on from above.
Nurse logs are a vital part of the rain forest ecosystem. As the log decays over time, it provides the vital nutrients necessary to turn a tiny seedling into a rain forest giant. Many other forest flora, like ferns and mushrooms, get their start on a nurse log. Death brings life.
I like the underground world you've got living in the log. I have a similar half finished illustration using a hillside, but this is more fay.
ReplyDeleteThere's a redwood forest north of me that I like to go to a couple of times a year. Whenever we have out of town/state guests we always take them there. There are several nurse logs and saplings that grow from them. I never knew they were called that Bron, so thank you for the education :) Banana slugs are plentiful here after the winter rains. I picked one up to move it out of foot traffic on the walking path near the ocean and it took me a while to get all the slime off! Still, it was worth it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tea shop and look back. Happy Anniversary indeed!!!
This is so lovely. Although I am not overly fond of Earwig tarts, I would have been delighted to visit with Violet on any occasion.
ReplyDeleteI love the bits of lore and information about nature you include. It's been three years of Mrs. T! Quite amazing!
ReplyDeleteCharming as always,love it
ReplyDeleteOh Bron, Happy BlogAnniversay! I am 3 years myself in Oct.2005. 3 years in a blink of an eye :) This is a delight and wonder and you and the shrews had a wonderful holiday! i just love it
ReplyDeleteps it is airbrush :)
always magical bron. its nice to sit a while and be drawn it to the world of mrs T. Thanks oh and not sure how much a winner that pic is, lol your the only one to have made a comment on it, and again ty
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary, Mrs. T! I have a great fondness for fallen logs with their wonderful array of inhabitants, but never knew the term nurse log before. How appropriate! It's a lovely woodsy, mossy, shroomy image, & must have been a fun reunion!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!!!
ReplyDeleteTeri
Yeah! Banana Slugs! When I lived in Boulder Creek and we would take the camp kids out for hikes we would see who would like to kiss the "Banana Slug" They are amazing creatures.... yes both kids and banana slugs are amazing creatures ;)
ReplyDeleteinteresting post. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did you know that some chinese hacker had hacked twitter yesterday again.
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