Author: 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.

GrandKitty Camp

It certainly is a wonderful time of the year. It really helps too, that for the past few days it actually has been a bit cold. Much like it should be at this time of year. And other things are happening here at the cabin to make things merry and bright. The big happening for a few days is GrandKitty Camp. My buddy for watching the birds, munching on yummy snacks and sleeping the day away has arrived to participate in the festivities. GrandKitty, Betelguese, got her name from the red supergiant star in the constellation Orion NOT Beetlejuice as in the movie!

Winterberry Revisited

At the very top of my favorites for wintertime shrubs — Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). A deciduous species of Holly. Native to eastern North America, and is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. Winterberry is a dioecious bush that gets tiny inconspicuous flowers in June and July that attract bees and butterflies and is the host plant for one butterfly in particular, Henry’s Elfin Butterfly. Birds love the brilliant crimson berries which cling to their leafless branches in winter. I love them too, for their elegant beauty.

Gregarious Cedar Waxwings

Gregarious birds. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). In a group they’re called an “ear-ful” or a “museum” of Waxwings. They move together, often with American Robins (Turdus migratorius), from one area to another hunting down their favorite berries and fruits. Nomads roaming their range, showing up here and there wherever they can find a meal for their numbers. Here, Smooth Sumac berries have attracted them.