Author Archives: Brenda Clements Jones

About 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.

Another Native Orchid In The Wintery Woods

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens) is a plant that looks very delicate, though it is an evergreen. This is what it looks like in the middle of the winter. And it occasionally lives on rock surfaces rather than in soil. A mighty tough plant.

It’s one of the 64 species of Orchid that are native to Virginia. Blooming in July and August. A single 10 to 20 inch stalk emerging from the center of the swirl of leaves topped by a spike-like cluster of 30 to 50 tiny white flowers.

These evergreen leaves are quite the surprise to find in freezing cold temperatures like we’re having now.

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On The Back Porch

January 23, 2026

Looking forward to snow coming down Saturday evening into Sunday. The talk is, several inches. We’ll see what actually happens. I’m hoping!

This, the back porch with tracks of little feet. January 2017.

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Puffed Up Against The Cold

January 22, 2026

All set for the snow a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) puffed up against the cold, is filling up on hulled sunflower seeds that I’ve put out.

Many birds, including Cardinals are wise when it comes to the weather. They have unique senses which enable them to detect air pressue, temperature and wind. This allows them to prepare for the challenging weather by heavily foraging to build up fat reserves before the heavy snow or drenching rain arrives.

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Cold Frosty Morning

I was out this morning quite early, at least for me. Frost seemed to be everywhere making all the fields come alive with glistening.

Though the vernal pool that I often see was not filled with much water, there was enough to bring delight. White Oak leaves gathered in the ice with stems reaching up to catch moist air as it passed by creating a landing spot for ice crystals.

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Putty Root In Winter

January 20, 2026

Approximately 64 species of Orchids call Virginia their native home. This is one of those native Orchids, Putty Root (Aplectrum hyemale), often found growing alongside Beech and Maple trees, in calcareous ravines.

It has an odd way of presenting itself. Its single leaf emerges from the soil in late November and lives until March. A rumpled looking leaf with thin white stripes alternating with broader green stripes. The other side of the leaf, which often faces down, is a purplish green or a dull purple.

Blooming takes place mid-May to early June, producing a stalk or scape on which 6 to 18 flowers are arranged. The flowers are 3/4 to 1 inch long and slightly less across. There are years though when that single winter leaf does not produce a flower due to environmental conditions during the winter.

A single scape with blooms in the summer and a single leaf during the winter, but not together.

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Ironweed With A Bit Of Snow

January 19, 2026

Seedheads of Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) with a bit of snow from yesterday’s dusting, showing signs of having been nibbled on by birds.

Full seedheads of Ironweed in late November.

And in late August, showing off its bold magenta color.

Growing to 5 – 8 feet, Ironweed is a beautiful plant that blooms in late summer in the woods of the eastern United States, including the states of Florida to Massachusetts, going west to Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia and also in southern Ontario.

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Another Dusting Today

January 18, 2026

Midafternoon today, I looked out and saw snow coming down out of the sky, hard and heavy. It went on for a while but only left a dusting. Another day of pure joy.

These seedheads, topped with some of that snow, are the Maryland state flower, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). The green, snow covered leaves in the background are of Yucca filamentosa, the state flower of New Mexico, though the state doesn’t specify a species of Yucca. This one is a native to Virginia. Two special plants to Maryland and New Mexico.

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A Dusting

January 17, 2026

I woke up to a beautiful dusting of snow this morning. To me, snow is magical, creating such beauty, and taking me back to my childhood. Living on a steep hill with lots of sledding happening whenever winter brought snow. Pure joy!

This is me back then. Me and my Snowman!

Roosting Wrens

January 16, 2026

A picture from the summer, when the star birdhouse was being used as a nesting box. This evening though, as the sun was thinking of setting, two Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) were roosting in this birdhouse, trying to stay warm.

They were startled when someone came out the door, right next to where the house is hanging. Quickly they took off. I’m sure they’re back now, huddled to keep warm on this cold winter night.

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Seedheads Of Asters

January 15, 2025

Another chance for you to feed the birds by doing nothing! These are the seedheads of Asters (Aster) which can provide much food for wild birds. And the Asters look lovely while in bloom during the summer.

A disheveled garden can be a source of pride.

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