February 3, 2026
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). A tree I often see up here and usually recognize right away, even in winter. Easy to spot because of the contorted or twisted nature of its trunk. Another simple clue for identification is the bark.
If only figuring out the identity of all trees were this dependable.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
February 2, 2026
An irruptive species, Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus), which I seldom see here. It is winter if they do show up, depending on the food supply in the area where they are. They have been here in two years that I know of, 2015 and 2019. I’m hoping as I do every winter, that sometime this winter I’ll see some on my mountain.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
February 1, 2026
They come around in an aggressive manner. Noisy. With quick actions that appear confrontational. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), a bird in the Corvidae, or Crow family, native to eastern North America.
In its scientific name, Cyanocitta cristata, the genus name Cyanocitta comes from two Greek words kyaneos, or blue, and kitta as well as kissa, or chattering bird, jay. The specific name cristata comes from the Latin word, meaning crested or tufted, relating to the crest of this jay.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
January 31, 2026
I enjoy capturing barns in pixels. There’s a charm about them. A story waiting to be told. I have more pictures of this one than any other, in all seasons of the year. It’s one that I pass several times a week on my way to yoga. If there were no fog blocking the view, you’d be able to see the mountain that I live on, in the background.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
January 30, 2026
From February 12, 2021, this is the kind of snow that makes my heart sing. A normal snow that covers and clings to everything. Soft and silent as it comes down. A snow that gradually disappears over the course of a few days. This is the kind of snow that brings out TEN Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) sitting together. The snow storm that we are just now beginning to approach some sort of recovery from was not *this* kind of snow.
Cardinals are territorial in breeding season. But in autumn and winter they become more social, hanging out in groups while searching for food and roosting in the same vicinity. In this picture I was fortunate to capture ten Cardinals sitting together, along with two White Throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis).
Autumn and winter, the friendly season.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
January 29, 2026
A picture from Monday of this week, January 26th. First thing that morning, I looked out hoping to find trees coated with beautiful ice. Instead I saw something just as lovely but more subtle, hoarfrost.
Hoarfrost happens when surfaces, such as these Pitch Pine needles (Pinus rigida), become colder than 32°, the freezing temperature. Water vapor then hits the very cold surfaces and the water in the air immediately becomes ice crystals, skipping the liquid phase. The ice crystals create a unique appearance, forming structures that are needle or feather like.
If you would like to read more, or see more of my photos of gorgeous hoarfrost, check out: brendaclem.com/hoarfrost/ which I put together a few years ago.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
January 28, 2026
Oh, the memories! The bizarre weather that we are having right now makes me think of The Blizzard of ’66, January 1966. It brought us a total of 29 inches of snow in Seabrook/Lanham, Maryland. That’s me sitting on our driveway surrounded by tons of snow from the storm.
The result? No school for a week. No mail. Grocery store shelves bare. It was quite the experience. Much like this storm.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
January 27, 2026
Like most mornings recently it was mighty cold this morning. Actually it was 10° when I took this picture. This tan striped White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) was fluffed up to keep warm while getting its breakfast of hulled sunflower seeds.
By fluffing up their feathers, birds are creating trapped body heat against their skin, which acts like a down jacket. That trapped air is warm, helping to keep the bird comfortable.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
January 26, 2026
The storm has been interesting. Lots of snow. Then lots of sleet, creating a strange surface. One that looks like a nice accumulation of snow, but I’m able to walk across it staying on top. No sinking in. No foot prints.
This image, a design left by the snow and sleet.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
January 25, 2026
An amazing winter storm coming through. Snow, sleet, freezing rain. A day to stay inside. A day for flannel lined jeans, a warm sweater, and some orchids to enjoy.
Many thanks to Anne, a yoga buddy, for the orchid a couple years ago. It’s still doing great.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!