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.

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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Migrating Through Or Here For The Winter?

November 5, 2025

I get to see one every now and then, as they migrate through. Rarely do they stay for the winter. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula).

Smaller than a Chickadee (Poecile), only a little larger than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). Among the smallest songbirds in North America, with a wingspan of 6.3 to 7.1 inches. An average length of about 4.25 inches.

Thank goodness for the birdbath. That’s how I often get to see birds that I otherwise would miss.

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Despite The Wind

November 4, 2025

Despite the high winds that howled through the mountains a few days ago there are some Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida) that are clinging to the last of their crimson leaves.

Along with those leaves you can see buds that formed during the summer. Those buds will brave cold weather, ice storms and snow to bloom in spring.

I love being here with nature and four seasons to entertain me.

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A Cardinal In The Unkempt Garden

November 3, 2025

I leave my gardens and their seeds for the birds. This picture, a look of appreciation from a Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as it chows down on the seeds of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida).

So many benefits of leaving those seedheads.

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An Abundance Of Dogwood Berries!

November 2, 2025

A Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) lush with crimson drupes. Fewer today than there were just a week ago, since they are quite popular with countless birds. The leaves too, were brilliant in their color, then the wind came along this past Thursday and Friday, Halloween Day, blowing nearly all of the leaves away.

I notice a rhythm of production of berries, or drupes, on this Dogwood in particular since it is easy to see from the kitchen and dining room windows. The tree takes turns producing numerous berries one year and the next a meager number. This is normal for Flowering Dogwoods, but there are always environmental factors influencing this cycle.

Wondering how long the drupes will last. Robins (Turdus migratorius) that send out word to other Robins, when there is a particular abundance of their favorite foods, have already telegraphed word to their family and friends.

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