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Winter Woodpecker
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) is a woodpecker that is only in my woods during the winter. Showing off a speckled look, rather than the striking black, white and red that I usually see on woodpeckers. They leave marks on tree trunks that look to be a cryptic messages to some other part of the…
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Nitrous Bonnet Mushroom
It always surprises me when I discover a mushroom growing in late autumn, but as you can see by my photos, it does happen. This one is Nitrous Bonnet (Mycena leptocephala). A fungus with a conical cap that can get to be just a bit over an inch in diameter. That cap has a raised…
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This Morning A Hermit Thrush
A faithful winter resident. This morning a Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) appeared at my birdbath reminding me that soon I’ll need a water warmer out there to keep the water from freezing. These photos, above, are my visitor the Hermit Thrush this morning. Perhaps you’ll remember that just a week ago I thought my first…
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Thankful For The Magic Of Nature
Thankful for the Blue Ridge Mountains along with the magical world of Mother Nature that is in these mountains. AND that I get to live up here witnessing that magic every day. Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving.
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Thankful For Friends Over The Decades
So many dear friends over the decades. Each one special in their own way. This is next door neighbor Bonnie on the left and me on the right. Best of buddies. And even now still making friends. Collecting friends like there’s no tomorrow. So thankful for each and every one of you.
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Thankful For Special Moments
I’m thankful for special moments. Moments never to be repeated. Thankful that sometimes I’m able to capture those moments as a photograph. This is one of those moments. My Dad’s hand reaching out to hold his great-granddaughter’s tiny hand.
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So Much To Be Thankful For
So much to be thankful for, not only during this Thanksgiving season but throughout the year, including precious family.
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White-tailed Deer
Wondering when the Black Bears (Ursus americanus) will return in their usual numbers. Their population has dropped dramatically due to mange in this area. In their absence White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are taking advantage of the situation. Under normal circumstances I see way more bear than deer. But now deer seem to be ubiquitous.
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More Traffic On The Road
Last night I posted a blog about a turkey on my road, but I didn’t mention that this sort of “traffic” is not unusual. Last night’s turkey, and these, above, are Domestic Turkeys. There’s another sort of turkey traffic too. Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Though the Domestic Turkeys tend to stay away from the woods…