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.

Haven’t Seen You In A While

December 15, 2025

Glad you’re back, little one!

A Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) finally showed up today. I haven’t been putting out anything for my friends, the birds lately. Many days ago I put out some beef suet, and I’ve been waiting. Some hulled sunflower seeds were scattered on the ground too. Finally, this morning this female Downy showed up.

I think they’ve finally realized that food will be provided regularly now. I’m so pleased. I’ve missed having them around.

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Puffed Up Against The Cold

December 14, 2025

Puffed up against the cold, a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), along with a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) in the background.

The range of the Mourning Dove is impressive, being year-round in almost all of the continental US and Mexico. Quite a popular gamebird, more than 20 million birds are shot annually in the United States for sport and meat. It is remarkable that it can survive as a species under such a threat, but in warm areas a pair of these Doves can produce up to six sets of nestlings (generally of two each) in a breeding season.

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Not Here Every Winter

December 13, 2025

A sometimes winter resident. When they are here, I most often see them at the birdbaths. A Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata).

For the most part these birds are insectivorous but of course winter can provide challenges to those that only eat insects. This Warbler eats insects during the winter when insects can be found, but there is an alternative, berries. Bayberries, Juniper Berries, Wax Myrtle Berries, Poison Ivy Berries, Virginia Creeper Berries, Dogwood Berries. All waiting to supplement an otherwise inadequate diet.

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Cardinals In Many Locations

December 12, 2025

I thoroughly enjoy seeing Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), both the soft colored females and the brilliant red males no matter what the season, but in the winter they are most spectacular. A pop of lovely color in a black and white landscape.

It’s surprising to realize that these beautiful birds don’t migrate. But they have moved into southeastern Canada and also in the northeastern states of New England due at least in part to rising temperatures, particularly average January temperatures. Now being there as year round residents.

Not only found in southeastern Canada, and from Maine to Minnesota on down to Texas, New Mexico, southern Arizona, and all the way over to southern California, and further south to Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

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Winter Goldfinch

December 11, 2025

A male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), enjoying the seedheads of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) which I’ve left out for he and his many friends.

Hardly the same bird that I saw flocking with others this summer. Gone is the brilliant yellow, the black cap and the bright orange beak. Now in his winter garb, it is a bit difficult to tell a male Goldfinch from a female. Both now have black beaks, and they both have a dull tan coloring. No black cap now. He shows a very subtle yellow around his head which the female lacks. And still he has, striking in their contrast, black and white wings.

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A Robin, Drinking

December 10, 2025

Glug, glug, GLUG!!

A Robin (Turdus migratorius) taking a drink at the birdbath. In order to drink the water, the Robin must scoop the water up into the lower portion of its bill and tilt its head back. This allows gravity to aid the water down the Robin’s throat. Many birds rely on this technique for quenching their thirst.

Doves (Columbidae) and Pigeons (Columba) have a different technique for drinking. They have a piston-like tongue which provides suction. This allows them to drink as if through a straw, drawing water, without the need to pitch its head back. Drinking in a more efficient manner, as well as giving them more safety from predators.

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White-throated Sparrow In The Snow

December 9, 2025

A White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) trying to stay warm in the garden.

Yesterday 4 inches of snow fell on my cabin. More than I had expected, and now, 7 inches of snow in less than a week. Hmmm. What kind of winter are we going to have? Could be fun!

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Juvenile, Female, And Male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers

December 8, 2025

Three slightly different looks of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius).

This one, a juvenile, looking very speckled. They have this look until their first major molt by early spring.

A female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Notice that she has a brilliant red cap but her throat is white.

And the male sitting at the edge of the birdbath. He also has a bright red cap and his throat, unlike the female, is the same bright red as his cap.

Noisy Little One

December 7, 2025

A fiesty little one. Noisy too. Chattering away, particularly if you’re in a spot where it would rather you not be. A year round resident that makes a nest in various funny spots. Spots like a basket, a graniteware coffee pot, and when they can’t find anything else they’ll actually build a nest in a birdhouse right next to the front door.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). A charming little bird. I thoroughly enjoy having them around.

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Emerald Ash Borer

December 6, 2025

Emerald Ash Borers (Agrilus planipennis) seem to be everywhere destroying our Ash trees (Fraxinus). These EABorers were first detected in 2002 in Southeast Michigan. Since then, they have been found in over 30 states in the US and in 5 Canadian provinces.

Notice the lighter sections of bark, indicating injury. This is one of many Ash trees here in the mountains that have been killed by the EABorer. Unprotected trees that are attacked can be killed in 6 to 10 years. This one, dead for a couple years now, broke off and fell into the road recently.

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