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.

Colorful But A Moth Not A Butterfly

A Grapevine Epimenis (Psychomorpha epimenis), a mighty colorful creature, but it is a moth and not a butterfly. A small one too, with a wingspan of just 3/4 to 1 inch. Another thing that might trip you up in identifying this as a moth, the Grapevine Epimenis enjoys puddling, which is a behavior that usually is done by butterflies.

And I’m showing you this moth right now because they’ll be out and about before you know it, adults flying around. This particular photo was taken on March 7th, a few years ago.

Their caterpillar food source is the leaves of native grapevines, and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), which is in the grape family. Adults eat nectar from flowers.

An early spring moth to enjoy!

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Turkey Tracks

Wild Turkey tracks (Meleagris gallopavo) on the lane coming in to my cabin. I knew right away what the tracks were since they were so large. Wild Turkeys are a common visitor around here.

They’re mighty big birds that leave a footprint of 3¾ to 5 inches long.

BIG BIRD!

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Seeds For Goldfinch

Goldfinch (Spinus tristis). These two are male Goldfinches. A little hard to tell it is a male without its trademark black forehead, which appears during the summer. Now dressed in their winter feathers. Birds that molt twice a year. At the end of summer, and then again at the end of winter. Each time growing in a complete set of new feathers.

The Goldfinch at the top is at a Nyger seed feeder, a favorite seed. Taken yesterday morning, with an inch of snow on the ground.

Another Goldfinch, another favorite seed, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida).

Seed heads left in the garden to feed the little birds as they come through the yard during the winter.

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An Inch Of Snow Overnight

It was not a surprise. I was looking forward to having a bit of snow fall overnight. As daylight arrived there was still a bit of the snow coming down. An inch managed to cover the ground. I’m delighted.

Here’s a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). One of many that have been coming to the yard. During the winter I’ll see several of them at the feeder, others waiting in nearby trees. As many as 8 or 10 at a time. Mating season is quite a different situation when they become territorial.

And oh their color, the male with its brilliant scarlet or the more subtle female, both add much to the landscape.

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One Of Many

The birds here have not gotten a lot of attention during the past month. The feeder looked mighty lonely this morning. I set off to change the situation, very carefully going out to the feeder with my new knee. Hulled black oil sunflower seeds, dried mealworms, and raisins. The birds heard me call as I was filling the feeder and by the time I carefully got back inside they were busy getting their fill.

Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows. Maybe others? All delighted with a new supply of yummies.

Just one that I know of, that as always, ignores the feeder but did come to the bird bath. A place they love to visit. Just one this morning, a Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus).

A bird that gives me pleasure to have come visit during the winter months.

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Erratic Migrants

Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus). Male, the colorful one in front, female, the brown and white one to the left, not in focus.

I don’t see them often at all. They’re said to be erratic migrants, following the ups and downs of cone crops. A friend and I have discovered that when I see a few of these birds, she will also be seeing a few at her bird feeders about 5 miles away.

At those bird feeders they’re attracted to black oil sunflower seeds and will check out the coniferous trees in your yard.

I guess I need to encourage more coniferous trees. I’d love to see these guys more often.

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Hearts To You

Valentine’s Day, perhaps a good day to share with you another of my quilts. A quilt filled with many hearts. A quilt stitched with love.

A quilt I made a number of years ago as a gift for my Mom and Dad. It hung over their sofa in the den for many years.

My quilts have messages for the recipient and future generations. Messages of love.

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A Dusting

What a delight, to wake up this morning and realize that it is snowing. Already a dusting of snow over everything. Pure delight!

This picture, snow gets caught in any spot it can, on the bark of a Persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana).

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Rain

Rain yesterday and today. Just a bit. In that rain, the marcescent leaves of an American Chestnut (Castanea dentata). Edges like ocean waves. Pure American Chestnut. Surely these trees will get chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica). Until then I will totally enjoy having these trees close to me.

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