Tendrils

Shape Of The Day

The shape of the day, of course, is the heart. These are a few of the hearts from my many photographs. Created by nature, or created by an expressive person. This one, above is a cherry pie.

Walk slowly, otherwise you’ll miss something, like this heart, made by nature, on a Sassafras leaf.

A mincemeat pie.

A heart carved into a lichen covered tree along the Blue Ridge Turnpike.

In Tucson, a heart shaped Prickly Pear Cactus pad, in our son’s yard.

An apple pie.

So many heart shapes out there just waiting to be discovered, or to be created.

There is a very old cabin a short walk from the cabin where I live. It’s believed that it was last occupied in the 1950s. In going back through deeds, I can trace the cabin to 1905 but it is possible that it is older than that. The paper trail ends leaving no more hints.

If only the resident flowers could talk. Planted with care long ago. Poet’s Narcissus (Narcissus poeticus) would have so much to say.

I look forward to these flowers blooming in April. Perhaps I could start the conversation and see if I get a reply.

Ancient Tulip Poplar

An old, and immense, Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). The bark, gray and lined, as if it is saggy, makes me think of a huge elephant. Not the elephant in the room, but certainly the elephant in the neighborhood.

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Butterbutt

More formally known as a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). A black, white and gray bird accented with that lovely bright buttery color. A bird that shows up at my birdbath occasionally during the winter. I’m patiently waiting, hoping one will make an appearance. Often it is mid-February when I’m able to capture a photograph.

This image was taken February 15, 2018, as this little creature was taking a break in a marcescent White Oak tree.

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One Crazy Winter

Ice on a vernal pool. February 13, 2018. Perhaps a normal winter. What IS normal these days?

February 10, 2023. I miss seeing ice. I won’t even mention my feelings about snow. You probably already know. I miss going out for a walk in the woods and not thinking about spraying myself with an insect repellent. Those ticks are happy about the warm weather. They’re out there just waiting for me.

A dear friend two days ago let me know he encountered a snake while out tackling Rosa multiflora. He thought he wouldn’t see any snakes. It’s winter after all. And the high temperature that day? 70°.

This is one crazy winter, 2023.

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The Pointer

A Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) that looks as if it is posing for an artist. About to become a museum piece on canvas.

This Junco, the one that I am used to seeing, is one of 14 or 15 subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco. Each having the same basic size and shape but colors that vary. The subspecies include this slate colored group, a white winged group, a brown backed group, a pink sided group, a gray headed group, and a red backed group.

The subspecies of this slate colored group has the widest distribution, including nearly all parts of the North American continent.

I grew up calling this junco, a Slate Colored Junco. Now they are all lumped together and they’re all Dark-eyed Juncos.

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Spiderwort

Today a few leaves of Spiderwort (Tradescantia) were spotted emerging from the soil. It’s native to eastern North America.

Come May, blooms will be gracing the garden, to the delight of bees.

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Feather Care

A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) yesterday at the birdbath. Feather care.

Keeping those feathers clean is essential for health. Clean those feather little bird. Keep those feather free of dirt, parasites, and bacteria. Keep those feathers in tiptop shape.

The birdbath next to the garden here at the cabin is a busy place even during the winter. Not just for drinking but for feather care. Very important.

Blue Quartz

A good bit of time yesterday was spent roaming a lovely spot in western Albemarle County, Virginia. Me and my camera, spotting new to me Lichens and Mosses. On a meandering trail to the Mechums River. I was pleased to find Groundcedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum) and Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) along the way but I wasn’t expecting to find rocks of Blue Quartz.

Sure enough that’s what it is. I’ve known that it is found in Madison County but here it is in Albemarle County too. These two pieces are about 1.75″ at their widest.

Keep your eyes open for surprises. They’re out there.

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Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). That’s quite the scientific name to remember.

Both the male and female Red-headed Woodpeckers look exactly the same. The juvenile has a gray head rather than the red head that his parents have.

I’m delighted to finally get a photograph of this woodpecker. Now I’m going to concentrate on getting a better image. That means taking out the serious equipment. A tripod and a long lens. Stay tuned.

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