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A Rock-Shield Lichen
February 6, 2026 Rock-shield Lichen (Xanthoparmelia), found growing on rocks in sunny, open areas. Slowly breaking down the bare rocks they are growing on with acids they secrete, turning the rock surface to soil. If a good number of these lichens are found, it is an indication of good air quality. They get their nutrients…
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The Solitary Towhee
February 5, 2026 Many many birds have been coming for the hulled sunflower seeds I’ve been putting out for them. Mostly White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) along with a few other species including this single elusive Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), showing up just every now and then. Not even every day. This one, the one that…
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A Blue Jay
February 1, 2026 They come around in an aggressive manner. Noisy. With quick actions that appear confrontational. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), a bird in the Corvidae, or Crow family, native to eastern North America. In its scientific name, Cyanocitta cristata, the genus name Cyanocitta comes from two Greek words kyaneos, or blue, and kitta as…
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Hoarfrost And Pitch Pine
January 29, 2026 A picture from Monday of this week, January 26th. First thing that morning, I looked out hoping to find trees coated with beautiful ice. Instead I saw something just as lovely but more subtle, hoarfrost. Hoarfrost happens when surfaces, such as these Pitch Pine needles (Pinus rigida), become colder than 32°, the…