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Saprobic
Here is another saprobic mushroom, or mushroom that creates its energy by decomposing nonliving organic matter. That nonliving organic matter is also known as detritus. This is a fungus known as Hairy Rubber Cup (Galiella rufa). Hairy Rubber Cup is found throughout eastern North America. But you’ve got to look carefully. It blends quite easily…
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Golden Spindles
So much to see out there as you wander through the woods. One must simply pay attention to what you are stepping over, walking through, hiking past, to see more of the world of nature. Did you know there are mushrooms in every color of the rainbow? Here I present YELLOW. One of many, many…
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Black, White, And Orange
The reason I grow Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), it is the Zebra Swallowtail’s (Eurytides marcellus) host plant. And it is one of the many butterflies that I adore seeing. Here, one is enjoying the nectar of Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa).
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White Blue-eyed Grass
What a surprise to find that Blue-eyed Grass is not necessarily blue. This is a species in the genus of Blue-eyed Grasses, Sisyrinchium. White Blue-eyed Grass. In the family, Iridaceae, or Irises. The plant is a grass-like forb with leaves that are reminiscent of miniature Iris leaves/blades. Native to the southeastern United States.
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Late Thoroughwort
Late Thoroughwort (Eupatorium serotinum). A poisonous perennial herbaceous plant that is native to eastern North America. Many insects such as bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, moths and beetles are attracted to these flowers mostly for the nectar. Late Thoroughwort is one of the last wildflowers to bloom in the autumn, and before we know it, autumn…
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Viceroy
I’ve seen one two times, that I know of, and I’ve gotten photographs both times. A Viceroy (Limenitis archippus). The first one was spotted and photographed at my cousin’s house in Ottsville, Pennsylvania. The second photograph was taken at the bottom of my mountain, where I stopped at the stop sign and this Viceroy came…
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First Of The Summer
A male Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) caught my eye today. How could I miss this sight, complete with knock your socks off crimson. A red that would make a male Cardinal look dull. That bill, large, thick, blunt-tipped is helpful in eating fruit and nuts. The first male Scarlet Tanager sighting of the summer. Looking forward…
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White Avens
White Avens (Geum canadense). An semi-evergreen plant that is native to the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. and most of eastern Canada. The perennial plants, which grow to 1 to 2.5 feet tall, have white flowers that are about .5 inch across, blooming from May through October. The flowers have 5 snow white, nearly round…
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Eight-spotted Forester
Eight-spotted Forester Moth (Alypia octomaculata). They’re found in Maine and southern Quebec to Florida; west to South Dakota and Texas. Unlike most moths, they are diurnal rather than nocturnal. Flying during the day with a wing-span of 1.5 inches. Flying, in search of the nectar of flowers, making their fluttery appearance in May and throughout the…
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Gnat Ogres
These creatures are the size of an average Mosquito. Think of measuring them in millimeters. Incredibly tiny, but look at those eyes! I don’t find much information about these insects in my many books, or on the Internet, but I see that they are in the Robber Fly family. And in the genus, Holcocephala. Here…