-
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Arriving in the vegetable garden, it immediately got my attention. A tiny bird that I only see during breeding season. Flitting about as if quite nervous it’s a bird that makes getting a photograph very challenging. If I get any photo at all, even if it is blurry, I’m pleased. I’ve recorded the occasion. Blue-gray…
-
See You Next Year Hermit Thrushes
The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) is one of five North American thrushes in the genus Catharus, and the only one that winters in the United States. We in the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia are fortunate to have them as our residents during that time. This one is enjoying the berries of Smooth Sumac…
-
Virginia Pennywort
An odd little clump of a plant that I’ve only seen in one spot in my travels along the trails up here in the mountains. Virginia Pennywort (Obolaria virginica). The only member of its genus. How special. Leaves and flowers grow all squashed together as if grown inside a tight space. Virginia Pennywort is native…
-
Earth Day 2022
In honor of Earth Day 2022, I bring you some of my birds. As you think of these precious birds, and our wonderful planet, I hope you can decide to work to make a difference. Not to save our planet, but things you can do to save our environment. The planet doesn’t need to be…
-
Asparagus
Yum! Asparagus, home grown. Straight from the garden. A joy to have at the table. A pleasure.
-
Maple-leaf Viburnum
Just now beginning to leaf out, greeting spring. Maple-leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), native to eastern North America, an understory, deciduous shrub. It’s plentiful up here on my mountain, and is easy to identify with its twin, maple-like leaves. I’ve been fortunate to have received several of these shrubs as gifts. Shrubs that I’m watching grow…
-
Choreography in the Woods
And the award for Choreography in the Woods goes to: Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum). Slowly dancing from the soil. Unfurling its fronds. Extending its pinnae. Shedding spring rains. Northern Maidenhair Fern is native to moist forests in eastern North America. The genus name, Adiantum, comes from the Greek word, adiantos, which means, unwetted –…
-
Witch Hazel in Spring
American witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), my hero. “The American witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is one of those plants that would like to have everyone’s undivided attention. You know the type: a bit of a rebel, marches to the beat of its own drum. This native shrub’s unwillingness to heed convention has made it popular among gardeners for…
-
Apple Blossom Time
Apple trees at the moment are a huge puff of snow white and soft pink. A delight for pollinators gathering to make the trees buzz with excitement. This pollinator, above, is a Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). Two Spicebush Swallowtails (Papilio troilus). A Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus). A Nessus Sphinx Moth (Amphion floridensis). And looking quite…
-
Owling
Perhaps if you are into children’s books or you’re a birder, you know the word “owling.” I’m familiar with the word thanks to Jane Yolen’s lovely 1987 book, Owl Moon. It’s about a little girl and her father who love to go out as the sun is setting, looking for owls. Or as they call…