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An Afternoon Hello
A Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) stopped by this afternoon to say hello, as it was hunting for a dinner of berries. The second portion of it’s scientific name, gusttatus, is Latin for spotted. It’s one of several that are called the spotted thrushes. During the winter, identification becomes easy since this is the only spotted…
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Mistletoe
There are more than 30 species of Mistletoe in North America. Mistletoe is a hemi-parasite, meaning that it performs photosynthesis, but extracts water and nutrients from the host plant. If you’re considering using American Mistletoe as an indoor decoration, and have children or cats or dogs around, keep in mind, those berries are poisonous.
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One Of Many
Yesterday, a day of beautiful, glistening ICE! I planned ahead and had no place to go. But oh those loud SNAPS, and CRACKS. I knew that at the very least that sound meant a tree had lost a limb. Or even worse a tree was down. Or a tree was down across the lane, or…
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Ice Storm
A storm crossing the country. Menacing with flooding, deep snow, tornadoes, large hail, and for me a thick coating of ice. It arrived last night and lasted through the morning, coating everything with a thick layer of slick wet dangerous beauty. Every now and then the power went off for but a short second or…
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A Sassy Little Wren
A sassy little bird that might be trying to make up for its size by being so vocal. A Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). This, one of several that I see year round here at my cabin. Little clowns that entertain me with their uninhibitedness and their relaxed nature while I’m outside with them. They eat…
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The Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for tomorrow night (Wednesday night) into Thursday is exciting for me. Prospects of beautiful ice. I had a dentist appointment scheduled for Thursday, but given the risk of driving up here where it’s bound to be even more icy than down in the lowlands, I’ve rescheduled that appointment. And besides I’ll need…
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Thirsty On A Cold Day
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) reflected in the water as it quenches its thirst.
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Unpredictable, Sometimes, Winter Resident
An occasional winter resident. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). If I see one, I often see others. During the winter you’re going to see them eating berries from the bushes that provide their winter meals. I’ve seen it mentioned that these Warblers will come to bird feeders where they’ll eat sunflower seeds, peanut butter, suet and…
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A Winter Resident Sparrow
The White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) is here during the winter. In spring they migrate to northwestern Canada and the northeastern United States, where they spend their breeding season. This one is enjoying Greenbrier (Smilax) berries, which are an important source of nutrition for overwintering birds.
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Dark Skies
AH! Brilliant stars in the nighttime sky. That’s what I want. Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia I’ve got nighttime skies that are way better than Arlington, Virginia, but it is certainly nothing to write home about. Vacation has called me to Sapello, New Mexicoo. I’ve been there two or three times…