Author Archives: Brenda Clements Jones

About Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

Compound Leaves

From Oxford Lanuages, the definition of a compound leaf: a leaf of a plant consisting of several or many distinct parts (leaflets) joined to a single stem.

The Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) has compound leaves, up to 24 inches long, often ending with two leaflets rather than the single leaflet that one might expect. There are sometimes up to 23 leaflets, with finely serrated edges, making up a leaf.

A participant of autumn color, turning yellow earlier than many of the other trees.

While the leaves are on the trees, they create beautiful, intricate patterns against the blue sky. Those patterns captivate me. One of these days I should do a painting of those patterns.

Their journey into autumn has begun, some leaflets turning from rich green to striking yellow individually, as leaflets. Not as a whole leaf. Doing their own thing, falling to the ground independent of the others.

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A Neighbor’s Visit

What a delightful surprise this evening to see a Black Bear (Ursus americanus), stopping by for a visit. A young one, but old enough to be out and independent, a teenager. I was pleased to see it looking quite healthy, with no signs of sarcoptic mange. Excellent!

As I saw it nibbling on this green spear, I thought, “You don’t really want to eat that Yucca (Yucca filamentosa), do you? No, I didn’t think so.”

It let me get several photographs, then it was time for me to raise up my arms and yell. Get outa here! Be GONE! And it was indeed, gone in a flash!

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Tickseed Sunflower

Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens frondosa). An annual herbaceous plant in the Aster (Asteraceae) family.

Tickseed Sunflower is native to North America, and widespread across the continent.

Looking at the flower of Tickseed Sunflower, it seems to me there is something missing – the ray flowers. But in some circumstances there are a few, very short ray flowers. For the most part though there are only disk flowers.

The leaves look a bit like they’ve been created by taking shiny green paper and cutting the edges with pinking sheers. Quite attractive.

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Another Flower Fly

This Flower Fly is an Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus geminatus). A very small critter of about 1/4 inch long. Found hovering around flowers from which they feed on nectar and pollen in the eastern and central United States and Canada. The larvae dine on various aphids and mites.

They also enjoy landing on sweaty arms. For them a source of moisture and salt. One of my favorite insects.

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Relax, They Don’t Sting

As is often the case, this critter has many common names. One of the common names repeats what some people would automatically think — Yellowjacket! That common name, Yellowjacket Hover Fly. The common name that I prefer to use is Virginia Flower Fly (Milesia virginiensis). A more friendly name, which these insects certainly are. They do not sting and are harmless to humans.

Not only does it look like a Yellowjacket, it’s flight around flowers mimics the actions of Yellowjackets, further enhancing the deception. And at 3/4 inch that adds to the intimidation. But they are important pollinators that should bring no concern to us.

Virginia Flower Fly larvae can be found in decaying heartwood of deciduous trees. Adults are active mid summer to early fall.

A fascinating case of imitation in the world of nature.

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Wingstem

A lovely expanse of Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), a member of the Asteraceae or Aster family.

Wingstem can easily grow to 8 feet tall. A plant that is native to eastern and central North America.

The bloom is a composite flower, each looks like a single flower but consists of a bunch of small individual flowers – disk flowers and ray flowers. The petals you see are actually ray flowers and in the center are disk flowers. The ray flowers fascinate me with their double-curlycue stigmas which are the surfaces that capture pollen.

Wingstems attract many pollinators – bees, butterflies, skippers, wasps, and flies. The butterfly above, is a Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas) that has had a rough time in its 3 to 6 day life span.

What an intriguing bunch of blooms and OH! That brilliant yellow! Absolutely gorgeous!

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Collared Lizard

Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, in the middle of New Mexico, between Tularosa, and Carrizozo. One of my favorite places to be. To see what is happening there in the world of nature. To be amazed by what happened back in 200-1450 AD, when beautiful artwork was created by Jornada Mogollon people. Over 21,000 petroglyphs just waiting to be seen, waiting to inspire awe.

Here in the world of nature, of Three Rivers, is a Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris). A creature that didn’t flinch as I crept closer and closer to get a photo. They grow to be 8 to 14 inches in length. They eat a variety of insects, spiders, scorpions, and other lizards.

What a great experience. A solitary experience. Nature, art from long ago, just waiting to be discovered. To inspire. Time and again.

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Treat After Yoga

Sitting there, stretched out, sunning itself, as I pulled up to the garage this morning after yoga. Not the least bit concerned that a pick-up truck had pulled up beside it. A handsome adult, Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps). Yes, a Skink, but also a type of Lizard.

Look at that cute little face! Such a content model for my camera.

Occasionally described as a snake with legs, but of course there are those legs, and their eyes have eyelids, so they can close their eyes, and they have external ear openings which snakes don’t have. Not a snake.

These Skinks climb trees. A large Skink that can grow to be 12 inches long, and can live to 5 years, or older. They eat invertebrates, including insects and spiders, as well as small rodents and reptiles, and plant matter.

What a treat to get to visit with one of my neighbors this morning!

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Agreeable Tiger Moth Caterpillar

I took this image of an Agreeable Tiger Moth Caterpillar (Spilosoma congrua) a couple days ago.

Agreeable Tiger Moths can be found throughout eastern North America. Their caterpillars eat Dandelions, Plantain, and a species of Amaranthus, called Pigweed.

It was a surprise to look at this image, after loading the pictures onto my computer. The small red spots on the sides of the caterpillar had gone unnoticed till then.

I’m hoping one of these days to see an adult Agreeable Tiger Moth. To me, with my imagination, the moth looks like a cartoon character. It’s nearly all fuzzy and white, with large dark eyes, an orange bib, and orange and black legs. I’ll be sure to show you pictures once I do see one!

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Bounty Of Summer

The bounty of summer. Radish, zucchini and jalapeño pepper, and soon to be on the dinner table.

These from the garden. Tomatoes of all sorts. This just a day’s harvest.

Potatoes. Colors of all sorts. Another day. Another harvest.

Another harvest. Peppers. Some hot, some not. All good! Oh, and I see a couple tomatoes in there too.

All this, not from my labor but my husband’s efforts. A man of many talents.💚

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