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.

Often Considered A Weed

Ah, yes. THAT weed! Not one I’m particularly concerned about. No threat of bringing precious trees down as is the case with some other invasives.

This one reminds me of my Dad who seemed to take it upon himself to rid the world of as many Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) plants in his yard and that of friends and neighbors as he could.

This species of the Dandelion is originally from Eurasia and was introduced to North America in the mid-1600s. Brought to this continent by settlers hoping to grow it as a crop for food and medicine.

For me and my yard, not a plant that I’m going to worry about. There are many more horrible weeds out there to be concerned about. Dandelions? No big deal.

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An Early Sighting

An afternoon trekking through the woods in a favorite spot in western Albemarle County. Woods, yes, but so very different than the woods here on my mountain in Greene County. And quite the surprise, I happened upon an adult Luna Moth (Actias luna). I’ve never seen one so early.

Its color surprised me too. Leaning more toward yellow than I’m used to seeing. Usually I would describe the color as a pale lime green. On the Internet I found one site that mentioned males leaning toward yellow, and this fellow is a male. See those feather-like antennae? That means this one is a male.

These moths are not around long as adults since they are not equipped with a mouth or a digestive system. Their only purpose at this stage in their life is to reproduce, living perhaps a week.

One short life. It’s no wonder that they are seldom seen. Not around long and nocturnal. My normal sightings per year: just one.

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Up Here

Down at the bottom of my place. Looking further down through the utility line right-of-way, to the low lands where things are growing more quickly. Growing at a faster rate because it is generally warmer.

Up here the Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are at this stage. Just beginning to show a little color but not open. Down below they have broad strokes of lovely pink on their branches lighting up the countryside.

A little further along in their development, Spicebush (Lindera benzoin).

Spicebush brightening up the dreary winter woods. Bringing in some spring color.

Spring becoming more and more at home on my mountain as the days go by.

Happy Astronomical Spring

I’ve been watching for the first signs of Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) making its spring appearance. And today, this is what I found. Perfect timing!

In just a few days the plant will develop flowers and green leaves. You can see a leaf on the left which looks like a green butterfly. This “butterfly leaf” is why the plant has its “twinleaf” name.

Here’s a better look at the leaves and a seed pod that is just beginning to develop.

And this funny looking guy is actually an opened seed pod ripe and ready for ants which love these seeds, to come along and take the seeds to their nests. The seeds have appendages called elaiosomes which is what the ants love about the seeds. The ants will bring those seeds with the elaiosomes back to their nests and feed their larvae those elaiosomes. That will leave the seeds in the nest in a perfect spot to take root, spreading the Twinleaf plants, thanks to the little ant farmers.

All this will take just a few days to develop. I’ll be checking on the new plants everyday to see what is going on. And for tonight — Happy Astronomical SPRING!

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Winter Residents Still Around

White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis), are one of many birds that visit my feeders everyday. Arriving in late autumn, they spend lots of time here.

I was wondering today how long they stay around. When do they migrate north for their breeding season? Seems they are around long enough to greet the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) that arrive here in late April. The White-throated Sparrows will hang around for just a tiny bit beyond that, heading north in mid to late May.

I’ll certainly miss them when they head to their northern homes. But there will be a wide variety of summer birds to keep me company. Nature certainly keeps me entertained!

Early Spring Butterfly

If I wasn’t paying attention, not to the season or the size of the butterfly I would think this might be a Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae). But this is a female Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea) which is smaller and only flies in the early spring. I see the Cabbage White as the weather warms but the Falcate Orangetip shows up while things still are chilly in early spring.

This is the male Falcate Orangetip, and you can see why it has the name orangetip. As it flies that orangetip is more visible but in flight they are not only small but also very quick. That orange can be a challenge to see.

Both male and female Orangetips are out there. Watch for them enjoying the nectar of flowers such as Springbeauty, Toothwort, and Violets.

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Another Bluebird Day

Another day of watching Bluebirds. Not sure if they are the same couple making plans for their house or another couple looking for a nesting site.

And to add to the mystery Chickadees were checking out the house as well. There is another Bluebird house on the other side of the cabin but it’s not within easy view. No telling what is happening there.

Pine Cones

A common pine tree around my cabin. Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) with its beautiful pine cones which take 2 years to mature. Its needles grow in bundles, or fascicles, of three. Twisting or straight with a length of 2.5 to 5 inches.

A tree that grows to 30 to 50 feet in height with a width of 15 to 25 feet.

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Pi Day

Made in honor of π Day. A Blueberry Pie made from the berries that grew here at the cabin last summer, put in the freezer, and PRESTO! A pie decorated with daffodils to match the season.

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