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.
A member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae), Nettleleaf Sage (Salvia urticifolia) is an herbaceous perennial that is native to the southeastern United States, with some found in Pennsylvania which is the northernmost part of its range.
It grows to 1 ½-2 feet tall, with square stems of green, that are pubescent. Leaves are opposite on short petioles.
Nettleleaf Sage grows in open woods and forest edges. Those forest edges are where I find it with its blue and white, purple and white or all white blooms.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), native to northern and eastern North America. It’s an annual that is found in rich moist soils where it grows to a lush 2 to 5 feet tall.
Jewelweed has a dedicated following for its help with Poison Ivy and Stinging Nettles.
Hummingbirds and Bumblebees are dependable pollinators of Jewelweed.
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The Baltimore Checkerspot is in the family of brush-footed butterflies, or Nymphalidae. Their front legs are small which gives them the appearance of having four legs rather than six.
The range of the Baltimore checkerspot extends from southern Canada and the eastern United States to the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina and west across the Great Lakes region.
Caterpillar of Baltimore Checkerspot
Baltimore Checkerspot is the state insect of Maryland. The population has faced significant decline and is currently listed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resourceson the Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Animal List.
White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) the host plant of Baltimore Checkerspot
Deer browse is said to be a prime reason for Baltimore Checkerspot’s decline. White Turtlehead is the host plant of these butterfly caterpillars, particularly during the warm months when the caterpillars are small, and deer love this plant. As the caterpillars grow they’re able to use other host plants such as Arrowwood Viburnum, English Plantain, Penstemon and Honeysuckle. As adults, the Baltimore Checkerspots nectar at flowering plants including Common Milkweed, Dogbane, several species of Mountain Mint, and wild Blackberry. But it’s White Turtlehead that they seek for laying their eggs.
The Pandorus Sphinx Moth (Eumorpha pandorus) has a wingspan of 3.25 to 4.5 inches. That’s mighty big. Their host plants are vines: peppervine, grape, and Virginia creeper. Adults have a lifespan of 10 to 30 days. During that time they consume nectar from the flowers of bouncing bet, white campion, and petunia. They’re found in the east, southeast, and central parts of North America, and on my cabin’s screen.
Hoary Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum) are blooming up here in the mountains and will continue into early autumn. It has a soft look. That word “hoary” speaks to its silvery look.
The blooms, creamy white to lavender with lavender spots. The mint scented leaves cry out to be made into a tea.
The plants grow to be 24 to 36 inches tall. They’re native to eastern North America. A treat to find while I’m out roaming.
Echinacea purpurea, or the common name, Purple Coneflower, is blooming right now. An herbaceous, perennial that is native to eastern North America. Though common in gardens, this species is fairly uncommon in the wild.
Pollinators of Echinacea are bees, butterflies and skippers. In the autumn, leave the seedheads and you’ll be rewarded by Goldfinches coming by to eat the seeds.
The butterfly enjoying the Echinacea in this picture is a Great Spangled Fritillary.
Inflated Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), tiny flowers, in shades of white, pale blue and lavender, with a hint of yellow inside. Blooming from July to October. And like many of the plants growing around us, it is poisonous.
Here you can see the the “inflated” fruit of Inflated Lobelia which gives this plant its common, as well as its scientific name.
This annual is native to most of the eastern US and parts of the midwest, and is quite common here in the woods surrounding my cabin.
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I had another visit today, from a wonderful bird, a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum). They don’t get seen often, but my blueberries are ripe now and they love them. Blueberries are a sure draw for many birds.
Over the course of just a couple minutes I was able to get more than 40 images of this creature. It had the look of worry, repeatedly looking to the sky. I wondered if it knew the sky was falling. But it must have been a false alarm. No falling sky.
A large bird, ranging from 9 to 12 inches in length. Long tail, long legs, long slightly turned down bill. This, is a young one, having ashen colored eyes. More mature Brown Thrashers have stern looking yellow or yellow-orange eyes. Though the male and female look similar in appearance, the male is the songster. Repeating melodic phrases two times, copying the songs of other birds with rich notes in a varied repertoire. So pleased when I get to see one, or hear one!
Two surprise birds today. Two females. An American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla). Not interested in sunflower seeds or shelled peanuts but the birdbath I’ve put out for her.
And another female. A Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) on her way to the blueberry bushes that are still filled with yummy berries to tempt her.
Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare), is an herbaceous perennial, and member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family. True Basil is also part of the Lamiaceae family. Being in that family, it has a square stem like so many mint plants that I have growing in my gardens.
Flowers, 1/2 inch long are formed together in fuzzy clumps. Fuzzy because of woolly bracts that surround each of the flowers. Each clump, which generally has about 30 flowers, only has a few flowers blooming at a time.
Milder than its relative, true Basil, Wild Basil has a lovely, though faint fragrance and can be eaten in moderation. The leaves are opposite, covered in fine hairs and have short petioles. The plant’s stems are also covered in fine hairs.
Here, a fuzzy seedhead.
Wild Basil is native to northeastern United States. Bloom time is July and August. Right now!
