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.

Two Color Morphs Of White-throated Sparrows

November 15, 2025

The white-striped morph of the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). This morph has a bold black and white cap, along with bright yellow lores (area between and just above the eye and bill), crisp pale gray breast, and a pure snow white throat.

Males and females of this morph sing more frequently, are more aggressive, and are more territorial than tan-striped morphs. White-striped females mate with tan-striped males, and white-striped males mate with tan-striped females. The white-striped morphs give less care and attention to their young than those of the tan-striped morphs.

The tan-striped morph of the White-throated Sparrow. This morph has a dark chocolate brown and tan cap, along with small dull yellow lores, a breast that is pale tan with medium brown speckles, and a whitish throat that has some small speckles.

Both males and females of this morph are quiet and not aggressive. Males of the white-striped morph mate with tan-striped females. Males of the tan-striped morph mate with white-striped females. The tan-striped morph of both sexes give more care and attention to their young than those of the white-striped morph.

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An Aggressive Non-Native

November 14, 2025

An exquisite colorway for this time of year. Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an aggressive invasive non-native, originating in China, Japan, and Korea.

A surprising characteristic is this plant’s roots which are bright orange. Another surprise, it can cause a rash like Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) since, like Poison Ivy, Oriental Bittersweet contains urushiol. Also, all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans.

The red-orange berries emerge from a yellow casing, creating a lovely warm look. If you feel compelled to bring in some of these vines for autumn decorations be very careful to dispose of the vines and berries in a place where they will not have an opportunity to regrow! This Bittersweet grows as a vine that destroys other plants, and uproots trees due to its weight.

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Striking A Pose

November 13, 2025

A Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), striking a pose for my camera.

Gregarious little birds gathering, sometimes with many together, to hunt for food. Going from one source of seeds to another with their undulating flight, singing their soft, sweet, “po-ta-to-chip” song as they go.

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Scarlet Berries On Leafless Branches

November 12, 2025

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), a species of Holly. Native to eastern North America in the United States and southeast Canada. By mid to late summer presenting a lovely contrast of rich green leaves with red berries sprinkled throughout.

In mid autumn the leaves have fallen like so many others, leaving just the scarlet reminders of summer. Red against the warm color of tan against the nearly black and white landscape that will soon be winter.

Scarlet treats for the birds of the forest.

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Another Bird Species Here For The Winter

November 11, 2025

White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis), often the most abundant birds here at the feeders during the winter months. They spend the breeding season in northern North America and their winters in the southern United States. Making the migration with other Sparrows, traveling at night.

There are studies that suggest the White-throated Sparrows may use the stars to help with their migration, using the stars closest to the celestial poles for guidance and perhaps the use of other cues, like magnetic fields.

Ah nature, so cool!

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A Woodpecker That Migrates

November 10, 2025

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), here for the winter. While here in Virginia they drill sapwells into trees to drink the sap. The sap attracts ants, spiders, and moths which are also part of their diet, along with berries from the likes of Poison Ivy, Black Gum, Virginia Creeper, Hackberry, Eastern Red Cedar, and Flowering Dogwood.

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Sycamore Late In The Afternoon

November 9, 2025

Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis) prefer to live along stream and river banks, and flood plains, but they live up here in the mountains too.

In autumn their leaves go from green to various shades of yellow, gold, orange, and brown. Not an extremely remarkable show but one I’d call speckled. Still, along with that tall, marble-like trunk it’s a lovely sight.

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Past Peak In The Park

NOvember 8, 2025

Went for a hike up in Shenandoah National Park this afternoon. A beautiful day and lots of people out with the same idea. Up in those higher elevations the autumn leaves are past peak but it was still gorgeous up there.

The Spicebush berries (Lindera benzoin) were outstanding in their color, popping against the browns and golds. A treat for song birds such as the Wood Thrush, Verry, Hermit Thrush, Catbird, Cardinal and Red-eyed Vireo.

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Sassafras Gold

November 7, 2025

Like countless trees up here, Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is showing off with a visual statement of dazzling color.

The Sassafras is scented throughout all its parts; leaves, flowers, roots, bark, drupes, and wood. Having the scent of citrus, star anise, cinnamon, licorice, and citrus.

Certainly one of my favorite trees.

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Feather Maintenance

November 6, 2025

A Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) at a birdbath caring for its feathers. A tiny bird that is here only in winter. Smaller than a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), measuring 3.1 to 4.7 inches in length. The smallest Wren in North America.

Both Winter and Carolina Wrens are in the Troglodytidea or Wren family. While Carolina Wrens are boisterous, Winter Wrens are the quiet and secretive ones in the family.

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