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.

On A Bare Branch

June 18, 2025

Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), are here in the mountains of central Virginia year round. They’re strictly seed eaters and I love seeing them coming to the seed heads of flowers in my gardens.

The Goldfinches molt twice a year. As summer moves on they change their bright spring and summer feathers for duller ones to blend in with the dull colors of winter. Fresh feathers come in one by one giving them the look of a worn out quilt. By the end of winter they will be growing in a new set of feathers to start the spring season.

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Native to North And South America

June 18, 2025

An annual herbaceous plant that brings joy to my heart when I find it. Venus’ Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata). Native to both North and South America, from Canada to Argentina.

Venus’ Looking Glass shows up in random places in my yard and I find them along trails up here in the mountains.

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Pale Lilac In Color

June 16, 2025

Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare), native to Europe and Asia and has been naturalized in North America. A member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). 

Its fuzzy leaves are opposite and have the aroma of mint with a touch of earthiness.

In bloom now.

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Life Stages Of Spotted Lanternfly

June 15, 2025

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). A planthopper native to Vietnam and China, which arrived in the United States in 2012. Spotted in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014 and now has now spread to Virginia. It’s preferred host plant is Tree of Heaven (Ailantuus altissima), but is a problem with many other trees and agricultural crops such as grapes, soybeans, stonefruits, and apples.

The picture above is of the early life stage. I’m seeing these incredibly quick critters everywhere. On my blueberry bushes, on my front and back porch. Everywhere. I’m seeing many more of these creatures now than I did last year.

Soon that early life stage will grow into this one.

And by August it will have grown into its adult form.

Last year, in August, I found this adult SLF caught in a spider web. Only one. If only spiders would catch many many more.

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Gray Petaltail

June 14, 2025

A Gray Petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi), a Dragonfly species, basking in the sun on a utility pole. About 3 inches long. Native to the eastern US. They eat a wide variety of insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, and aphids but they will also eat tadpoles, worms, and fish.

They’re not concerned the presence of people and will sometimes land on one’s arm.

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A Nest Full Of Little Ones

June 13, 2025

They like to build their nests in a huge variety of strange things. On my front porch they have used this basket several times.

And on other occasions they chose to build their nest in an ancient graniteware coffee pot.

And now, they are raising another brood in this star-shaped bird house.

Just a thought, don’t leave your boots out on the porch too long.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus).

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Oh The Colors!

June 12, 2025

I love rich bright colors. This certainly fills the bill.

A Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus), with its wonderful contrast of bold black stripes against crisp pure white, sipping nectar from the brilliant orange blooms of Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Pawpaw trees (Asimina triloba) are the primary host plant for Zebra Swallowtails. These trees create the perfect environment and provide nutrients that are needed for proper development of the larvae of these butterflies.

A butterfly I love to see, which surely makes me happy that there are so many Pawpaw trees up here!

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Bold Pink

June 11, 2025

A pop of bold color, hot pink, here and there up here. Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria), a native to Europe. A well behaved annual or biennial that is by no means invasive. A bloom that measures 1/3 to 1/2 inch across.

A fun feature of this plant is its explosive seed capsule. When that capsule is ready to disperse the seeds it splits open with great force, catapulting the seeds several yards away.

One of my many favorites.

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Another Great Spangled Fritillary

June 10, 2025

I’ve been watching the buds for what seems like forever. Today flowers on my Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) finally began to open. A Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) came by to enjoy the nectar of the blooms, one of their favorite food sources.

The blossoms of Butterfly Weed are also popular with bees, other butterflies, and hummingbirds. And it’s the host plant of the Queen and the Monarch butterfly.

I’m hoping I can propagate more of this plant for my garden. Not only do I love the pollinators that it attracts but I thoroughly enjoy its rich orange glow.

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Just Beginning

June 9, 2025

Just the beginning of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) bloom time. A native flower that attracts all sorts of pollinators. Bees, hummingbirds, skippers, and butterflies like this Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele).

Ah spring and summer! So many splendid flowers!

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