So much to be thankful for, not only during this Thanksgiving season but throughout the year, including precious family.
So Much To Be Thankful For
Author Archives: Brenda Clements Jones
White-tailed Deer
Wondering when the Black Bears (Ursus americanus) will return in their usual numbers. Their population has dropped dramatically due to mange in this area.
In their absence White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are taking advantage of the situation. Under normal circumstances I see way more bear than deer. But now deer seem to be ubiquitous.
More Traffic On The Road
Last night I posted a blog about a turkey on my road, but I didn’t mention that this sort of “traffic” is not unusual. Last night’s turkey, and these, above, are Domestic Turkeys.
There’s another sort of turkey traffic too. Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Though the Domestic Turkeys tend to stay away from the woods further up the road, the Wild Turkeys are more often seen up here in the woods.
And then there are chickens that cross the road. I have no idea why they cross the road. Other than to get to the other side.
But my very favorite traffic crossing the road, over all the years I’ve been up here, these little pigs that decided to take a stroll. I’ve only seen them once, but I’m so glad I was able to capture an image.
Turkey In The Road
No telling what one might see in the middle of the road these days. Tis the season!
Out The Backdoor
A matter of a few feet from the back door of the cabin, in the middle of a path. Discovered a couple days ago. Photos taken this afternoon. No telling when or where you’ll find mushrooms popping up.
This one is a Russula pulchra. Just 2 inches across.
I love capturing fungi in pixels. So many colors. So many sizes, shapes and textures.
One Of Many
The American Robin (Turdus migratorius). Wikipedia calls this a migratory bird. But that is certainly not the case with many of them. This morning 15 or 20 of them showed up at my little pond and bird bath as they often do year round. Quite the gathering.
During the autumn and winter they roam in large groups looking for berries and other wild fruits to satisfy their needs. Spring and summer they dine on a wide variety of invertebrates, including the one that I think of right away when I think of Robins, earthworms.
Red Blueberry Leaves
There are a dozen or more mature Blueberry Bushes around my cabin. Each with its own personality. Many with red twigs to accent the snow and ice that fall during the winter. Others have one last “leaf hoorah” with a brilliant show of red before the leaves finally fall to ground. November is the time to catch the show, with or without snow or ice, it is spectacular.
Turkey Oak
Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis) can be found in dry areas, sand dunes, sand hills, and hill tops from Virginia to central Florida to southeastern Louisiana. It can be grow to 30 feet tall and on occasion a bit taller.
This particular tree is happily growing in Citrus County, Florida, where is it quite common.
Happy Birthday Olivia Claire!
Last Of The Falling Leaves
There are just a few Sugar Maple trees (Acer saccharum) up here in the woods around the cabin. Further up, in the higher elevations there are many many more. They’re the last ones to turn from their summery green to some warm autumn coloring and the last to drop those leaves turning the landscape into a winter wonderland, minus the snow, unless the weather gods cooperate.
That winter landscape, shades of black and white with year-round greens thrown in. Greens of pine, cedar, fir, and hemlock if those hemlocks are quite lucky. I’m a person that loves to work in color, but I also embrace the season with very little. Cover it with a thick layer of white snow, and I’m even happier.
Enjoying The Spotted Knapweed
Ventral view of a Common Buckeye Butterfly (Junonia coenia) enjoying the weeds, perched on a spent bloom of Spotted Knapweed (Centauria stoebe).
They certainly are not common here in the mountains of central Virginia. Sometimes arriving in late summer, staying through early fall. There are years when I don’t see any at all. When I do see them though, I’m quite pleased.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!