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The Joy Of Spring
March 9, 2026 Yellow symbolizes sunshine, joy, happiness, and energy. And that is what it conveys to me as I see these, first of the spring Daffodils (Narcissus). Delayed a bit by our extremely cold weather, along with the snowcrete, but now in bloom. These the first, there are other varieties that will bloom later, spreading…
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A Woodcock In The Woods
March 8, 2026 An American Woodcock (Scolopax minor). An amazing creature. Here, a photo with better lighting to see its handy beak. Their beaks are usually between 2.5 and 3 inches long, with a prehensile tip that is sensitive and flexible. The Woodcock uses its beak to probe soil, hunting for earthworms and other invertebrates,…
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American Goldfinch Ultimate Seedeater
March 7, 2026 The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) the ultimate seedeater. Enjoying the seeds of Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta). I leave my gardens during the winter, to be cleaned up in the spring. That leaves the seedheads as a source of food for the birds all winter long. And I can always depend on the…
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Mourning Cloak Butterfly
March 6, 2026 Generally an adult butterfly has a short lifespan of just 2 to 4 weeks. The longest lifespan of an adult butterfly in North American is that of the Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), from 10 to 12 months. In order to accomplish this, the Mourning Cloak overwinters as an adult. They seek shelter…
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Red-shouldered Hawk
March 5, 2026 A Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), on the lookout for lunch, sitting atop a birdhouse, rather than its usual perch on the branch of a tree. A medium-sized Buteo. Males ranging in size from 15 to 23 inches, and weighing an average of 1.21 pounds. Females range in size from 17 to 24 inches,…
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Hellebores
March 4, 2026 Hellebores (Helleborus) native to Eurasia. There are 15 to 22 recognized species in this genus. I have a few of those species in my gardens. Remarkable plants, after seeing what they have come through this winter, and bloom as if everything was perfectly normal. But then the Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), and…
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Eastern Red Cedar With Snow
March 3, 2026 Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Native to the Eastern United States and Canada. Very popular with Robins (Turdus migratorius) and Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) in late autumn through February as they eat the fruits, or cones, of the Cedar. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email,…
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A Bright Spot In The Woods
March 2, 2026 Midafternoon today, snow has been coming down in a heavy manner, as if it’s in a hurry to cover everything. A brilliant dot of scarlet in a Flowering Dogwood tree (Cornus florida). Just what the second day of meteorological spring needs. Late afternoon, fog comes in. The snow stops, at least for…
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First Day Of Meteorological Spring
March 1, 2026 Oh my! Is time ever flying! Spring is here. Well, meteorological spring anyway. I like using the meteorological seasons, since by the time the end of one season is approaching, I am quite ready for the next one to arrive. This is a picture of Snowdrops (Galanthus), one of just a few…
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A Stream That Makes Me Think Of Van Gogh
February 28, 2026 A walk down to the stream. Passing so many intriguing things along the way, Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), blue quartz, many different Mosses and Lichens, Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata), a remarkable burl on a White Oak (Quercus alba), nest of a Organ Pipe Mud Dauber (Trypoxylon politum), and Ground Cedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum),…