A Small Fern, Ebony Spleenwort

May 18, 2026

Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron), a small fern that is native to not only eastern North American but also southern Africa. It has a distinctive coloring of its central stem, extremely dark almost black, which gives the plant its common name. I often see it up here in the woods.

A fern with two different types of fronds. Sterile fronds, which are just 2 to 6 inches long with a slight arch. They are often found growing along the ground, and are evergreen. The other type are fertile fronds which appear in spring, growing to a height of 1 to 2 feet. These fronds are deciduous, dying off in winter after their spores are dispersed.

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An Eastern Chipmunk

May 17, 2026

An Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) here in the mountains. Bringing back memories of Arlington, Virginia, with a family of chipmunks near the back door, scurrying across the patio, or tunneling under it. Such fun to watch as they scampered back and forth. And here now in our woods.

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Coral Honeysuckle A Perfect Flower For Hummingbirds

May 16, 2026

Take a look at the flowers of Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) and you might think, the perfect flower for hummingbirds. Yes indeed, but there are many other pollinators that enjoy the flowers, including many bees and butterflies.

The perennial vine is the host plant for Spring Azure butterflies and Snowberry Clearwing moths.

And a beautiful addition to the woods in spring and summer.

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Virginia Spiderwort

May 15, 2026

Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) in bloom right now. Such lovely, rich colors! If you look carefully at this photo, you might notice a tiny insect that resembles a bee, gathering pollen and nectar.

Here is a better look at the critter, a Margined Calligrapher Fly (Toxomerus marginatus), a type of Flower Fly. They enjoy the pollen and nectar of Spiderwort flowers. Beneficial insects, their larvae consume aphids and spider mites.

Glad that they’re helping to eliminate those pests!

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Puddling Tiger Swallowtails

May 14, 2026

Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio glaucus) gathering around a patch of moisture in some gravel.

More male than female butterflies participate in puddling to gather nutrients such as sodium, amino acids and minerals, which are lacking in flower nectar. These nutrients are needed for helping with reproductive success, and males transfer them to females during mating.

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Looking Like Clear Glass Beads – Rain On Virginia Sweetspire

May 13, 2026

Sweet, sweet rain dropping gently from the clouds, captured by the buds of Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica). Much needed rain. These bushes are suffering immensely from the drought we are suffering through. Soft rain falling often, may bring help.

I’m hoping that is the case.

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Mapleleaf Viburnum

May 12, 2026

Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), growing here on the mountain in the woods, and here on the mountain in my backyard. A species of Viburnum.

A shrub that favors woods, given its desire for shady locations. Native to eastern North America. Grows to 3.5 – 6.5 feet tall. It’s a larval host to the Spring Azure butterfly (Viburnum acerifolium).

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A Fiery Skipper In May

May 11, 2026

A Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) resting on a leaf of a Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium). It is a butterfly in the family Hesperiidae.

As adults they have a short life of approximately 6 to 11 days. During this short life they concentrate on nectar feeding and reproduction.

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Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe

May 10, 2026

Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa) is a vine that is native to Virginia and beyond. I have it in my garden and love having it. It blooms mid-May, with these unusual looking flowers.

It’s a vine that knows no bounds though. But if you keep after it, it will bring you a reward of the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor), which depends exclusively upon plants in the genus Aristolochia, such as this Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe.

I have to keep after the Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe. It is constantly trying to sneak, like a little 2 year old, watching to see if I’m watching, as it reaches into my Blueberry bushes that are nearby. Having the Pipevine Swallowtails active in my yard though is totally worth it!

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Complementary Colors

May 9, 2026

A male Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and a Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) getting together to demonstrate the quality of the opposites of red and green on the traditional RBG color wheel.

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