January 20, 2025
Winter can be challenging for nature journalers. Getting outside when it’s cold and windy, cloudy and dreary, snowy, icy or wet, are not ideal weather under any circumstances. And when everything looks brown and crispy and pretty much the same, the challenge to nature journal in the great outdoors grows exponentially. While these conditions make it difficult for spontaneous observing, I try to remember there’s always something remarkable to be discovered in nature, even in winter.
Who knew a little whack on the head would be just the thing to reawaken my curiosity?
Bundled in layers, leash in hand, Luna led me on her early morning walk around suburban Albuquerque. Having been along this route before, we’ve both made some interesting discoveries in the past. And as usual, this time was no exception for Luna. For me though, everything appeared brown, crispy and familiar. But I was inspired by and enjoying Luna’s sense of curiosity, and her encouraging tug on the leash.
Nearing the end of our 2-1/2 mile walk, and mightily concerned I’d go home empty handed, we turned our last corner. It wasn’t 100 feet down the cement block-lined sidewalk that I abruptly stopped in my tracks. Something had lightly whacked me in the head! While the sound of rhythmic clacking rang out, I looked up, and to my surprise spotted the accidental assailant. Draped over the 6 foot wall, suspended from a hearty Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) growing in the hidden yard beyond was a string of pods resembling brown green beans. Long and plump and full of seeds, one of these pods had reached down low enough to make contact with to my head. (I say “reached” because that’s what my imagination said had happened.) Quickly awaking my sleepwalking brain, the effort made by the seed pod to get my attention paid off too. Silently whispering, “Pick me! Pick me!” it was as if the seed pod and its adjacent buddies either wanted to be harvested, or wanted to be featured in my nature journal (or both).
So I did ………… both!
I loved learning about and sketching these fascinating Trumpet Vine seed pods, while my mind was filled with the muffled notes of a trumpet. Tooo-too-too-toooooom!
Hope you enjoyed reading this story and browsing around my journal pages.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
a curious nature 
Liking that you turned that letter T into a musical instrument; tunefully designed! 😀
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Thanks for noticing Z.F.!! It was a challenge!
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Love your story and that fact that you journaled about it! 😊
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Thanks so much Dee!
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Fun post, Barb… I love the idea of Luna being a curious scout, the suggestion that the Trumpet Vine pods were calling you to pick them, and as always the wealth of information and beautiful drawings in your post. I want to float some of those half-pod shells down a stream to see how they behave as un-piloted mini-canoes! I’m also surprised to hear there were “hundreds” of seeds in one pod, and a little curious that you didn’t actually count them (haha). I hope you plant some of them on your property to see if they grow and attract humming birds!
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I do love your comments, Robin, and careful observations on my observations! There were over 600 seeds in That pod! I kept losing count, so I gave it an educated estimate. Haha! Luna is always a great scout. Wouldn’t it be awesome to know what Luna sniffs when he sniffs? When we get a bit of water sitting out front, I’ll set one of my mini canoes afloat and give you a report!
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I wouldn’t want to try to count 600 seeds accurately (or beads) either. Awaiting canoe report in due time!!! ❤ R
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A fun, entertaining story, Barb! Seed pods are fascinating, especially when they tap you on the head for attention! We have Trumpet Vine plants on the side of our library building, so I’m going to stop by this week and look for any seed pods. I’ll keep you posted. How amazing that the seeds are lined up perfectly in a row. Love your nuts & bolts Letter T! Thanks for sharing this cheery winter discovery!
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Thank you dear Karen! Love the comments! If you find whole seed pods and decide to open them, prepare yourself for a flurry of seeds!
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I can’t tell you how much I enjoy all your work! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…you need to publish! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a book of your work! ❤️. Tell Superman we say hello! FYI our grandson is a Spider-Man little boy!
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Awesome comments!!! Thanks so much. I haven’t forgotten about publishing ……….. some day! Superman says Hi! And oh …… spider-man little boy sounds perfect for your grandson!
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