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Two Color Morphs Of White-throated Sparrows
November 15, 2025 The white-striped morph of the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). This morph has a bold black and white cap, along with bright yellow lores (area between and just above the eye and bill), crisp pale gray breast, and a pure snow white throat. Males and females of this morph sing more frequently, are…
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An Aggressive Non-Native
November 14, 2025 An exquisite colorway for this time of year. Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an aggressive invasive non-native, originating in China, Japan, and Korea. A surprising characteristic is this plant’s roots which are bright orange. Another surprise, it can cause a rash like Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) since, like Poison Ivy, Oriental Bittersweet…
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Striking A Pose
November 13, 2025 A Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), striking a pose for my camera. Gregarious little birds gathering, sometimes with many together, to hunt for food. Going from one source of seeds to another with their undulating flight, singing their soft, sweet, “po-ta-to-chip” song as they go. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily…
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Scarlet Berries On Leafless Branches
November 12, 2025 Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), a species of Holly. Native to eastern North America in the United States and southeast Canada. By mid to late summer presenting a lovely contrast of rich green leaves with red berries sprinkled throughout. In mid autumn the leaves have fallen like so many others, leaving just the scarlet…
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Another Bird Species Here For The Winter
November 11, 2025 White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis), often the most abundant birds here at the feeders during the winter months. They spend the breeding season in northern North America and their winters in the southern United States. Making the migration with other Sparrows, traveling at night. There are studies that suggest the White-throated Sparrows may…
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Sycamore Late In The Afternoon
November 9, 2025 Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis) prefer to live along stream and river banks, and flood plains, but they live up here in the mountains too. In autumn their leaves go from green to various shades of yellow, gold, orange, and brown. Not an extremely remarkable show but one I’d call speckled. Still, along…
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Past Peak In The Park
NOvember 8, 2025 Went for a hike up in Shenandoah National Park this afternoon. A beautiful day and lots of people out with the same idea. Up in those higher elevations the autumn leaves are past peak but it was still gorgeous up there. The Spicebush berries (Lindera benzoin) were outstanding in their color, popping…
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Sassafras Gold
November 7, 2025 Like countless trees up here, Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is showing off with a visual statement of dazzling color. The Sassafras is scented throughout all its parts; leaves, flowers, roots, bark, drupes, and wood. Having the scent of citrus, star anise, cinnamon, licorice, and citrus. Certainly one of my favorite trees. _______________________ If…
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Feather Maintenance
November 6, 2025 A Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) at a birdbath caring for its feathers. A tiny bird that is here only in winter. Smaller than a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), measuring 3.1 to 4.7 inches in length. The smallest Wren in North America. Both Winter and Carolina Wrens are in the Troglodytidea or Wren…