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.

Winter Frog Fun

Last night it rained. Apparently just the perfect moment for Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). As the rain came down I could hear the happy, “Clack, clack, clack!” They were gathering in my little pond for their breeding parties.

The little Wood Frogs growing from tadpoles to reach full development leave my pond as a miniature version of a Wood Frog. Can you believe that tiny size?! This picture was taken July 5, 2018, as many were leaving the pond. At this point in their life they leave their temporary aquatic home for land where they will spend their time looking for insects and a variety of other invertebrates for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, only coming back to the pond for breeding.

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In The Morning Sun

Posing for me as she basks in the warmth of the morning sun. A Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

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Brown Pelican

Nancy, another one for you. This one in Key West.

A Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). I have been extremely impressed with the recovery of the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The Brown Pelican is another success story.

The use of DDT was banned by the EPA in 1972. In part because of that action Brown Pelicans were taken off the endangered species list in 2009.

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Gathering For MAVEN Launch

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

They stay on top of the news. They live right there, where the rockets are launched after all. Early that morning they began gathering. Jetty Park. Port Canaveral, Florida.

Sea Turtle

MAVEN. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, to be launched November 18, 2013. Entered orbit around Mars September 21, 2014.

Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)

These just a few of the creatures that gathered to see the launch. Such excitement! Such a crowd!

Excitement builds as the countdown begins!

And off it goes! On its way to Mars! AND everyone in the crowd was totally pleased.

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Inspiration

WINTER INSPIRATION. Ice and snow. This image, ice on Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). December 9, 2013.

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Sometimes

A Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) is a species of bird that I see just sometimes. Yes, winter, but not every winter. Just sometimes.

It’s a bird that from one winter to another is totally unpredictable whether it will migrate into one area or another. This is called an irruptive species. They will pay attention to the condition of cone crops in their area in the autumn. If they feel those crops are insufficient they will migrate to another area. Sometimes this happens every other year but the timing and areas where they will end up can’t be counted on.

I haven’t seen any Pine Siskin yet this winter. I’ve had some come to my feeders and birdbaths in 2015 and 2019. I’m still hoping to see some before this winter comes to an end. My camera and I will be all set to get pictures if some come by though. I’m hoping!

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Winter Food For Finches

Leave the seedheads! That’s what this is. Seedheads of Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum).

Seeds that finches will enjoy during the winter.

A picture from February 25, 2014, when there was snow, lovely SNOW!

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Greenbrier Berries

Greenbrier (Smilax).

In Virginia there are 11 species of Greenbrier. Often with a common name that contains the word “brier” because of thorns along the stems of the plant, or sharp points on the leaves.

A tough vine. And those thorns can really cause some harm if you grab the vine in the wrong way. Not a plant you want anywhere near your gardens but a native plant that provides food, shelter, and protection for many animals.

If you’ve got a spot where you can let Greenbrier grow, the berries will attract birds — Wild Turkeys, Mockingbirds, Cardinals, and Pileated Woodpeckers to name just a few.

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Traffic Jam Resolved

A traffic jam on the back porch. All those little footprints. Goodness! How many were out there? This was Valentine’s Day, 2014. It was quickly resolved when someone went out the back door. The only thing left, the tiny prints.

I love the patterns that are made by the birds with their little feet in the snow.

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White Oak Leaves Will Fall In Spring

White Oak (Quercus alba), one of the trees that keeps its leaves during the winter. At least some of them. A large tree such as this one will retain the leaves on its lower branches. This is called marcescence, when a deciduous tree retains its leaves through the winter, waiting for its new spring leaves to push off the leaves from the previous season.

Nature has so many fun surprises.

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