Oh Happy Day

A snow that sticks to everything. Wonderful for photographs. We had some like this twelve days ago. It was a marvelous 2.75 inches, but this image is from the end of January, 2005. Its been captured by a Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana) with its handsome cones and needles that are 1.5 to 3 inches long. Those needles growing in pairs with a twisted shape.

And today is a day to celebrate. It’s the first full day of astronomical winter. I wonder what this new season will bring.

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Growing Up With Iris

Iris were always in the gardens that my Mom created. They were her favorite flower. And of course she was quite fond of the many shades of purple. Today is her birthday and I’m thinking fondly of those purple iris that pleased her so much.

These iris are growing in one of my gardens. They’re a native, Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata). A bit unusual, not tall and stately like so many of the European and Asian varieties. But growing just 3 to 6 inches tall, with a flower that is 2 to 3 inches wide. They’re said to have fragrant blooms, though I haven’t noticed any fragrance. But then I am not often that close to the ground. I’m going to have to take notice the next time they are in bloom.

Around the world there are perhaps 280 species of irises, and most of those are native to Europe and Asia. Here in the United States there are just 28 species of iris that are native.

Looking forward to spring when they’re in bloom, so I can check on the fragrance of these beautiful little flowers.

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Caught In Flight

The birds are so entertaining, going after the pinecones that have been coated with peanut butter and then rolled in sunflower kernels.

Here, a Chickadee (Paridae) is hovering to get some of the snack I’ve created for the many birds.

Peanut butter and sunflower kernels go into the suet that I cook up for them too. Happy birds are what it’s all about.

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Female White-breasted Nuthatch

It took a couple weeks but the White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) have returned, after no bird feeding for quite a while.

They’re cute little birds that make a sound like an old toy tin car tooting its little horn. Or think of that little car laughing as it moves about. That’s the sound of the White-breasted Nuthatch.

This one is a female. There’s a subtle difference in the coloring of the male and female. The two, mostly black, white, and gray. The female more subtle grays, less strong, contrasty blacks, and whites.

I’m totally enjoying having these little guys around again, sounding like that little toy car.

Berries For Winter

Eastern Red Cedar berries (Juniperus virginiana). Though you can’t see them in this image there are many other Robins (Turdus migratorius) and Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) enjoying the treats that this tree provides for them.

In a few minutes they’ll be swarming to the bird bath, gathering around for a refreshing drink of water.

No matter what the season, birds are fascinating creatures.

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And So, It Rains

They said this would happen. And so, it rains. Just as they said. Color me very pleased.

This photo, a very spent seed head of Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota). A seed head totally rain-sodden.

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Rain Tomorrow Night

Rain drops on Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana). Perhaps this is will be the look of things tomorrow afternoon and into the night. I hope.

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Shivering As The Snow Falls

A Chickadee (Paridae) shivering and fluffed up as the snow comes down, trying to keep warm.

As I see this, I want to make it into a Christmas card. Maybe next year’s Christmas card. Or perhaps pull out my pastels and do a painting, or maybe an oil painting. No action on any of those thoughts right now, time is a rare commodity.

I like all those ideas. Check back in a month or two.

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A Mighty Long Beetle

An amazing creature. An Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus), which can be found in the eastern United States. Because of their length, reaching up to 1.75 inches, they’re a bit of a surprise to see. The “eyes” that you notice immediately are not actually its eyes, as you can see in the photo above, but are a defensive mechanism to startle predators.

The larvae of these click beetles eat the grubs of wood-boring beetles. They spend the winter as either larvae or adults, often under logs.

Every now and then I’ll see one of these fun beetles. I’ll look forward to finding some as winter turns to spring and they emerge from their hiding places.

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Recycling And Composting

My Dad was totally into recycling and composting before they were even a thing. When I was little he was often out back burying kitchen scraps in the compost, and mention a scout troop doing a newspaper collection for recycling, he was on board helping out. Later, after he retired, he volunteered at recycling centers to help others as they brought things in, and to keep the recycling centers tidy.

I’ve followed his example doing my best to recycle whenever it is possible and keeping that good old compost going. For the past many months the compost has been like concrete when I’ve gone out to bury something. Now though, thanks to a few good rains and some snow a couple days ago, it is pure pleasure to go out and bury those kitchen scraps.

I’m trying to help this planet continue to support us. Not necessarily to “save” it, since it’s going to be around for billions of years with or without us. But our planet, Earth, really needs us to treat it gently and carefully so that it will continue supporting us.

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