Tuesday 5 June 2012

LIFE: Friendship Woods


We made the most of the sunshine and the cooler air that came after the Friday downpours here in south eastern Michigan by taking a wander to one of the out of the way places on our doorstep. Friendship Woods is literally yards away from one of the busiest freeways yet you'd think you were in the middle of the countryside. No longer can you hear cars - just trees creaking in the wind, birds tweeting and animals rustling around in the soil.

With a mile circular walk it was nice just to escape city life - we got to see crazy amounts of mushrooms, some wild flowers, plenty of Michigan's native trees [Oaks a plenty] and sit a while watching some fishes in the pond. There's also a Nature Center which would have been great to have looked inside but randomly it's closed on Saturdays [not really sure how that works out for the better?!].

On many of our walks we come across plenty of marshlands, ponds and swamps. Being known as one of the Great Lakes regions the early settlers found Oakland County to be rather inhospitable [at least until the 1850s] and these parks make the most of returning the land to it's natural form. I love looking into vernal ponds [final image] which become the breeding habitats especially for ducks and turtles in the couple of months in which they fill up after snow and spring downpours. Sadly the only wildlife we saw was some robins, fish and bumble bees.

Where are your favorite hidden away place(s)? 

33 comments:

  1. wow! That place looks so beautiful! England has seen nothing but gloomy and wet weather the last few days! I want to escape it all and that looks like the perfect place!
    Hannah x confessioncloset.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw that the weather was being it's traditional self with the jubilee celebrations! I think currently the temperatures gone back to being pretty similar between Michigan and at least Yorkshire - we're just thankfully not getting all the rain!

      Delete
  2. Oh I love this! I am starting to warm up to Michigan & can't wait to head back up there! Plus that Caterpillar is cute & fuzzy :)

    I don't really have any hiding spots here, but I should find some to just take a break. Thanks for sharing some awesome pictures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well we're in the forgotten south eastern side of Michigan which pretty much seems to get ignored a lot of the time even by the Michigan tourist people haha!

      Delete
  3. O my, how beautiful. I feel all relaxed and tranquil just looking at your pictures. Thanks xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, what a stunning place! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I certainly didn't expect anything as stunning as this right on our doorstep I will admit!

      Delete
  5. absolutely beautiful pictures xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely pics Rachel.. I'm lucky living in Oxford, I'm never to far away from the river or a park :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Aww I love your photos, the area seemed amazing. You and Joe look really cute in the photo :) I wish I had places like this near where I live :(

    Charlee
    http://charmedcharlee.blogspot.com
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I never had anything really like this near me in Yorkshire - crazy that in the middle of a city [well the suburbs] there's this great wood!

      Delete
  8. Oh "friendship woods" is the most gorgeous name for such a serene and beautiful Forrest.
    It's so lovely to see you and your man happy.
    Love v

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does have another name too in memory to some civic leader of the city but I prefer it's second name! I realised that since moving me and Joe hardly take pictures of us together so I'm determined to start taking more again.

      Delete
  9. I love your beautiful photographs - please dont ever stop sharing you delightful journey !

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow! This place looks amazing! I really love the photo of the caterpillar, Rachael-- it's so fuzzy and cute! :) And you and Joe look amazing together!
    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights
    the shop of worldly delights

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That caterpillar was a lucky take - that fella was on a quick move!

      Delete
  11. Aw this is a lovely post. You take fab

    ReplyDelete
  12. We have lots of green and walks near me. They're all quite small areas though, you'd never get lost there.

    My husband would kill for your husbands t shirts!

    C
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a H&M top I brought for him back in the UK - I'm partial to it myself!

      Delete
  13. Sorry, I peaked too soon! I meant to say you take great photos! Re will.i.am, he came on stage and said "happy birthday your royal highness" and of course we don't call the queen hrh. She has to be your majesty. It's the law! And it is her jubilee, nit her brthday

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bloody I pad playing up. Sorry for errors in above. You know what I mean! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha me and predictive texting and well spelling in general don't get on either!

      Delete
  15. What a beautiful spot, so serene. I live right near Hampstead Heath so that is where I go when I need to escape :)

    Penny Dreadful Vintage

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet you get some great views of London from there!

      Delete
  16. Awesome hairy caterpillar creature!
    Your pictures are beautiful =)
    xx
    emsipop.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, all the photos are beautiful, certainly a lovely place to walk around! I wish there were more places like that here :)

    Lucy
    http://lucyywrites01.blogspot.com
    x

    ReplyDelete