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.

The First One!

April 9, 2025

During dinner this evening I saw something fly past the window, looking in as it went by. It made a sudden change of direction which said to me, “Hummingbird!” But I wasn’t able to focus on it, so I was uncertain. A few minutes later it showed up at the feeder that I had put out just three days ago.

Sure enough it was a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). I wonder where he spent his winter. Did he go as far south as Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, or Panama? Did he go straight over the Gulf of Mexico or did he fly along the Gulf Coast?

If he doesn’t continue further north, but decides to stay here during the summer, we’re going to have to have a chat about his travels.

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Dancing

April 8, 2025

As their fiddleheads unfurl, they seem to be gently dancing to the soft songs of spring. This, the frond of a Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). A common sight up here on my mountain.

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Bejeweled

April 7, 2025

There are some leaves that are water repellant. I love to see these plants during rain, or just after rain has fallen. The leaves look to me like they are covered with gem stones. This is a leaf of Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and is a great example of a leaf that is water repellant, or hydrophobic, looking to me like it is bejeweled.

Leaves with this trait often have a surface that is a waxy layer, known as the cuticle. Other leaves are covered with small hairs, or trichomes, to help water run off the leaf. The hydrophobicity may help the plant keep its leaves clean. Another benefit of hydrophobic leaves is it helps reduce water loss through the leaf surface.

Whatever the reason, I appreciate the beauty that is a result of this trait.

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Ready And Waiting

April 6, 2025

All set. A feeder is out filled with hummingbird syrup. Four parts water to one part sugar with no red dye. Now the wait begins. There have been a couple years when Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) arrived here on April 17th. I’m patiently waiting to see what their arrival date will be this year.

They spend their winter in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama returning in the spring for their breeding season in Eastern North America.

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Fields Of Purple

April 5, 2025

Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureumo). Native to Eurasia. A member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is quite an aggressive grower and is considered an invasive weed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

However, there are times when it can be appreciated. First, when these are not your fields. And second when you are just driving by and catch the beauty of this scene. Fields of Purple Dead Nettle.

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On The Back Hill

April 4, 2025

Green and Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) native to eastern United States from Rhode Island and New York to Louisiana and northern Florida.

Beginning to bloom on my back hill. In the middle of May it will look like this blooming like crazy. The blooms will continue, though not quite as profusely, on through autumn.

It attracts bees and butterflies. This, a Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii) on a Green and Gold bloom.

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Wild Strawberry Blooms

April 3, 2025

They’re blooming now. Wild Strawberries (Fragaria vesca). Popping up like weeds, all over. They’re native plants. Plants that I thoroughly enjoy. I don’t wildiscourage them.

The strawberries they produce have an exceptionally wonderful flavor. The only problem with the berries is that they are so tiny. They will be here, getting ripe near the end of May. I can’t wait!

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First Tiger Swallowtail Of Spring

April 2, 2025

Yesterday afternoon and the first Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio gloucus) of spring, checking Daffodils (Narcissus) for pollen.

No adult Tiger Swallowtails live through the winter. These Swallowtails spend the winter as chrysalises and will emerge as adults beginning right about now.

Looking forward to seeing many more as spring turns to summer.

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It Is Time For PINK!

April 1, 2025

A Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) sitting amongst pink blooms of an Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis).

The buds as well as the flowers are a valuable source of nutrition. Downy Woodpeckers, along with many songbirds including Cedar Waxwings, Chickadees, Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Juncos, and others, eat these buds and flowers.

Exquisite flowers making clouds of pink in the woods.

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Little Spring Butterfly

March 31, 2025

Both these images are of the same species of butterfly. Spring Azures (Celastrina ladon) which are active right now. A very small butterfly with a wingspan of about an inch. Tiny.

The image above gives you a glimpse of the dorsal side (the side of the wing which you see when the wings are open) with its lovely blue. The dorsal side of their wings is seldom seen since Spring Azures usually alight with their wings up and closed.

This image shows the ventral side (the side exposed when the wings are closed) of the wings which are white with dark specks.

Spring Azures live just a few days as butterflies.

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