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Pinecones Of Pitch Pine
November 25, 2025 Pinecones of Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), which are usually between 2 to 4 inches long. Its bundles of needles are called fascicles, each of these fascicles normally contain 3 thick, twisted needles ranging in size from 2.5 to 5 inches long. These needles sometimes will emerge directly from the trunk rather than…
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Northern Flicker Yellow-shafted Form
November 24, 2025 This, a Northern Flicker (Yellow Shafted Form)(Colaptes auratus auratus), and many other birds enjoy the berries of Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra). There are so many things that make me thankful for being surrounded by nature. This magnificent bird is one of those things. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily…
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Robins And Migration
November 23, 2025 A Robin (Turdus migratorius) in late November, here in Virginia. Ask an American Robin if it migrates and you might get a deep sigh and then a long stretched out, “Well . . .” Seems it is a tossup, in part depending on food availability and weather conditions. Many stay put in…
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Raindrops On A Chestnut Oak Leaf
November 22, 2025 Raindrops on a Chestnut Oak leaf (Quercus montana). This tree has the common name of “Chestnut Oak” due to the similarity of its leaves to those of the American Chestnut tree (Castanea dentata). Its leaf has shallow lobed edges, while an American Chestnut leaf has ocean wave edges. _______________________ If you would…
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Sign Of A Pileated Woodpecker
November 21, 2025 This morning on my way down the mountain I saw a woodpecker that I often see, a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). The largest woodpecker in North America. About the size of a crow. Measuring in at 16 to 19 inches long, with a wingspan of 26 to 30 inches, weighing about 8.8…
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A Classic Pose Of A Nuthatch
November 20, 2025 A White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) in a pose I often see. Quickly going up and down a tree trunk. Surprisingly, going down like this, head first. Searching, hunting for insects. The White-breasted Nuthatch has strong feet that enable it to grip tree bark without using its tail for support, a technique that…
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Juncos
November 19, 2025 Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are generally migratory winter birds here in Virginia, though I’ve been up in Shenandoah National Park during the summer and have seen that there is a population of Juncos up there both in breeding season and the winter months as well. Doing a bit of research I see…
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My Buddy The Phoebe
November 18, 2025 Their breeding and wintering ranges overlap here in Virginia, so I’m fortunate that I’ve got Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) year round. Flipping tail. Often coming back to the same nest year after year. The independent sort. Eating berries when insects can’t be found. My buddy the Phoebe. _______________________ If you would like…
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Relying On Wind Dispersal
November 17, 2025 Seeds of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). We’ve had such big winds these past few days, these particular seeds probably have blown long distances thanks to their silken threads. Those silken threads, called floss, act like parachutes taking the seeds to new places to grow. These plants, and other species of Milkweed, help…
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These Are Not Cherry Tomatoes
November 16, 2025 Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense). Goes from this in June — — to this in November. Berries that look very much like they ought to be delicious, much like a cherry tomato. But beware. This fruit of the Carolina Horsenettle has a common name of Devil’s Tomato, which you should take as a…