Monday, April 2, 2012

Twisted Nature Notes!

Look what my dad and I spotted while walking along the bike trail in Loveland, Ohio.
He thought it was corkscrew willow and I thought it was grape vine. And, now upon further investigation we both think that it is oriental bittersweet. What do YOU think? I am linking up to Nature Notes over at Rambling Woods.
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34 comments:

  1. CarverApril 3, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    There are so many possibilities that I'm not sure what it is but these are very interesting nature shots.

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    1. LibbyApril 4, 2012 at 8:02 AM

      Thanks! We noticed these crazy vines and thought you guys would enjoy seeing them :)

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  2. Rambling WoodsApril 3, 2012 at 7:40 PM

    Gee..I have never seen anything like that..wow..It is very interesting looking. I wonder if it hurts the tree it is encircling..I guess I have to go look that one up...Thank you for sharing this Libby...Michelle

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    1. LibbyApril 4, 2012 at 8:01 AM

      Apparently, it is an invasive. We are still learning about it...

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  3. eileeninmdApril 4, 2012 at 2:01 AM

    Great find and cool photos. It is almost snakelike. Thanks for sharing your nature scenes.

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    1. LibbyApril 4, 2012 at 8:00 AM

      The one on the fallen tree really looked like a snake even in person. Thanks for stopping by!!

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  4. EG CameraGirlApril 4, 2012 at 3:20 AM

    That vine looks very healthy! When it leafs out you'll be able to identify it, but it may very well ne oriental bittersweet.

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    1. LibbyApril 4, 2012 at 8:00 AM

      That's funny, that's what my dad kept saying, "We need leaves!"

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  5. LeoraApril 4, 2012 at 3:21 AM

    I think nature is playing sculptor.

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  6. Nature RamblesApril 4, 2012 at 3:29 AM

    Lovely shots!

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  7. AnonymousApril 4, 2012 at 4:51 AM

    Interesting vine.

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    1. LibbyApril 4, 2012 at 7:58 AM

      We thought it looked like rope in places.

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  8. dave1952April 4, 2012 at 5:20 AM

    You have a great eye for spotting unusual things. It makes for great photography.

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    1. LibbyApril 4, 2012 at 7:57 AM

      Thanks - these really caught my eye, for sure!

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  9. DianneApril 4, 2012 at 5:29 AM

    it's beautiful
    and I see a peek of blue flowers in one of the shots
    wonderful!!

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    1. LibbyApril 4, 2012 at 7:56 AM

      I was wondering whether anyone would notice those! There were clumps of blue flowers all over the woods :)

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  10. LindaApril 4, 2012 at 6:04 AM

    wow, great photos, Nature always amazes me.

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    1. LibbyApril 4, 2012 at 6:07 AM

      Thanks! Appreciate you stopping by and commenting :)

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  11. AnonymousApril 4, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    Great shots of the tree, lovely textures and tones. Entwined....

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  12. zeke manuApril 4, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    Omg those trees are so cool! so weird and different looking lol... really nice picture though..

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    1. LibbyApril 5, 2012 at 11:42 AM

      Thanks! I really appreciate you looking at the post and commenting! :)

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  13. Mental FlossApril 5, 2012 at 12:19 AM

    Twisted indeed. Very interesting

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    1. LibbyApril 5, 2012 at 11:42 AM

      Yea, I had to use the word "twisted" in my headline to get everyone's attention - LOL!

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  14. NancyApril 5, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    Fascinating! I love finding things like this in nature. The blue flowers are pretty. I have a friend who lives in Loveland, OH. It's a pretty place.

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    1. LibbyApril 5, 2012 at 11:43 AM

      That's amazing you know someone here - its not a big place. Small world!!

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  15. Sallie (FullTime-Life)April 5, 2012 at 11:21 AM

    It's really neat -- reminds me a bit of the strangler fig trees that we have around here.

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    1. LibbyApril 5, 2012 at 11:49 AM

      Oh, yea, I've seen those strangler figs; these do look at bit like those :)

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    2. AnonymousApril 5, 2012 at 6:02 PM

      Your twisted pictures show 'Oriental Bittersweet'
      or Oriental Staff Vine (Celastrus orbiculatus).
      It is a woody vine native to East Asia of the Celastraceae family. It is also commonly called Oriental Bittersweet, Japanese Bittersweet or Asiatic Bittersweet. Considered to be an invasive species in eastern North America. It closely resembles the native North American species, Celastrus scandens, with which it will readily hybridize.

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    3. LibbyApril 5, 2012 at 6:12 PM

      So, it IS an oriental bittersweet? We got it right :) Thank you SO much for positively identifying these for us. We have been looking at them and speculating and pulling up pictures on the internet for weeks - LOL!

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  16. KateriApril 11, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    I'm going with bittersweet. We have them where I live. That one is impressive!

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    1. LibbyApril 11, 2012 at 7:20 PM

      Thanks Kateri! I think you are right about the bittersweet. :)

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  17. janeMay 2, 2012 at 2:24 AM

    God shots - I do not know that vine - I don't think we have them overhere - it looks quite old in the way that ithas entwined with the r trees around it - interesting shots - do you know what the blue flowers are called - thanks for sharing

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