-
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.
-
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…
-
Ice On Virginia Pine
Beauty of the season, though this year’s temperatures have not been cooperating. It’s a favorite subject of mine, ice covered needles and pine cones. This, Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana). Virginia Pine has short needles, about 2 inches in length that grow in twisted pairs. The tree lives to an age of 65 to 90 years,…
-
Juncos In Winter
Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) at my cabin are winter birds. Not to be seen during the warmer months. UNLESS you go up the mountain to the higher elevations. To the ridge tops of the Appalachian Mountains where these Juncos reside year round. Winter and summer. They along with some that live in the west, don’t…
-
Bluebirds Are Here Year Round
In Virginia, Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) are here year round. They’ll occasionally roam from one location to another in search of their favorite fruits or berries in large groups. A behavior that makes me think of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings. Wandering to find their preferred foods. I must get busy and clean out their…
-
The Winter Of SNOW!
This was just the beginning. My very VERY favorite winter of all time. This image is from December 5, 2009, and like I said, it was just the beginning. From just the beginning of meteorological winter, not even the beginning of astronomical winter, to the end of winter, that winter of 2009 – 2010, 72…