Even though we walk on the ground when in the woods, it’s important to remember to look upwards sometimes, too. I’m always trying to keep an eye out for birds when I’m hiking, so I’ve tried to train myself to look up every once in awhile. I didn’t have much luck spotting any birds the last time I was out on the Bailey Trails in Gothe State Forest, but I did happen to notice this pretty area where a trio of longleaf pines (Pinus palustris) all converged together right above my head. As you can see, the sky was nearly cloudless and the trees were being perfectly lit up by the sun giving some of the branches and needles a yellow gleam.