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.

Lucky Bird Day

Today was a lucky bird kind of day. And I didn’t even step outside. Mid-day I spotted a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) in one of the huge oak trees in front of my cabin. Not at all unusual here, but to see one, a HUGE and BEAUTIFUL bird, is to stop everything to admire the moment. As you can see, I did manage to get a photo. Glad I could at least record the moment.

Then in the middle of the afternoon I went upstairs to my bedroom and found, looking in through the window at me, a charming Barred Owl (Strix varia), sitting in a Tulip Poplar Tree. A tree that had been destined to be cut down for the sake of ultimate fire safety. Now, that tree will be saved. My owls must have a perch.

The owl was generous with its time, turning its head as if doing yoga. Making me wish I could do the same. Then it was off, to find another perch, perhaps where there was not a camera trained in on its every move.

But outside is where I should have been. Hiking up the mountain. Putting in more miles. Taking in more of Mother Nature’s world. Another day, another year, I was doing just that, and stumbled upon this. Another Barred Owl. A mom or dad, watching over the little one.

The little one, looking so sweet. Oh, I certainly could feel those EYES of mom or dad, perhaps thirty feet away. Staring DOWN at me. For sure another lucky bird day.

Dogwood Buds In Ice

As I went to bed last night sleet and freezing rain were clicking at my skylight windows promising me a very good next day. There’s been hardly any snow so far this winter. Sleet and freezing rain with its resulting ice is NEARLY as wonderful to me as “take me back to my childhood” snow.

Morning brought the promised gift of diamonds in the trees. Off to roam I went with my buddy, my camera, before I even had breakfast. Pure delight. Ice on everything.

Ice on the many Flowering Dogwood Trees that have established themselves up and down the mountain. Ice on the buds that formed, long ago mid-summer. Buds that wait — autumn into winter into finally bloom time. Now encased in ice. Buds waiting for spring.

Cooper’s Hawk


A garden with bunches of song birds cheerily partaking of the goodies put out at the feeders. Quite a busy scene. And then, “POOF!” in the blink of an eye everyone vanishes. Not a one to be seen. Totally quiet. Not a soul.


What just happened? Look into the trees. There, sitting perfectly still. It’s a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii).

It’ll stay for a seemingly endless time hoping for a little bird to act a bit brashly. That little bird at risk of becoming the hawk’s lunch. The circle of life.


Cooper’s Hawks are remarkably similar to the Sharp-shinned Hawk and have many points of subtle difference. The one difference I try to keep in mind is size. The Cooper’s Hawk is about the size of a Crow while the Sharp-shinned Hawk is more the size of a Robin. Hard to tell though, if there are no other birds around to compare with. But keep size in mind if you’re lucky enough to see one of these beautiful birds.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Yesterday’s post was about an irruptive visitor. The tiny Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) who shows up in the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, if its usual seed supply is less than optimal. But there’s another Nuthatch that lives here all year long. The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis).

It is fun to find this Nuthatch searching for insects in crevices of tree bark. It goes up, down, and when heading DOWN the tree trunk it goes head first. It will eat insects, seeds, nuts, suet and peanut butter. A nice customer to have at the feeder.

I love to hear the White-breasted Nuthatch making its wonderful songs and calls. Announcing itself with a series of soft chuckles. Or on other occasions it may sound like the beep of a small tin toy car.

A little bird, larger than the Red-breasted Nuthatch, smaller than a Tufted Titmouse. Fun to find whether at the feeder or as I’m wandering the mountain.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

A little feathered creature that I see some winters. A bird that is said to be “irruptive,” meaning it depends on the seed supply where it normally spends its winters. In years when the seeds of pine, spruce, and fir trees are not plentiful these birds will venture into areas where they are not normally seen.


The Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) shows up here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia every two or three years. I’m always pleased to see them. And their songs and calls bring a smile to my face. They sound like a chuckle, or like the horn of a terribly tiny tin toy car.


While they’re here they will visit my feeders, eating the sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet that is put out. Sometimes I’ll see a Red-breasted Nuthatch going back and forth to the feeders, much more frequently than what I might expect. More than likely this means it is going to a special hiding place, stashing food in crevices in tree bark. Putting the food away for later.

So glad you guys are here and I hope I’ll see you next winter too.

A Strawberry Leaf

The landscape during winter. Shades of black, brown, white, with a bit of deep, subtle blue-green. A Cardinal adds spark to the setting. Feathers of scarlet keeping him warm.

Look down as you step. Wild strawberries that gave you joy last summer have left a reminder. Leaves of wild strawberries now covered with frost.

Flowers in WINTER!

Me — always a positive outlook. But I’m wondering about this winter. It is not living up to my expectations. Are we going to end up with the warmest January on record? Is climate change doing its thing? There are rumors from the weather people of snow next week. Be still my heart! Just now, a gift to me. A gift from my gardens. Here to bring cheer, flowers of comfort. Flowers of cheer. Flowers of winter.

Hellebores (Helleborus) native to Europe and Asia.

Eastern Comma

Another butterfly that you may see as you hike on an unusually warm winter day. An Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma). These species of butterflies that overwinter as adults have the ability to survive due to the presence of glycerol in their blood which prevents their bodies from freezing. They may come out to enjoy the warmth and return to their winter shelter until spring brings dependable warm days.

Take your time as you wander and enjoy the surprises.

Mourning Cloak

As you are out hiking during the winter, take your time. Look around, notice things. There is so much to see, even in the dead of winter. If you’re fortunate you may see a Mourning Cloak Butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) on the trail in that patch of sunshine ahead of you, warming itself. They overwinter as adults. In crevices in trees, under loose bark, in a woodpile. Living as long as 10 or 11 months, one of the longest living butterflies.

Butterflies in winter. Incredible.

Winter Slumber

In the Blue Ridge of central Virginia bears take a winter slumber. Waking on the rare occasion to thrill those who pay attention to such things. This sleepless creature roamed the woods in January, 2015. Years later, another sleepless one. January 2020 noted by one who pays attention to such things. Rare occasion indeed.