-
Bluebirds Checking Out A Roosting Spot
December 3, 2025 This morning there were several Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) near the vegetable garden, checking out one of the birdhouses as a spot for roosting during the winter. A surprising number of Bluebirds will roost together in one birdhouse. Six or eight are commonly seen keeping each other warm. There are times, even…
-
Glazed Purple Coneflower Seedheads
December 2, 2025 The weather folks had been talking about it so much. Rain starting in the middle of the night, becoming freezing rain. Many counties arranged to open school on a two hour delay. As the morning went on it warmed just a tiny bit. With the slight warmth, the magic of ice covering…
-
Eastern Hemlock
December 1, 2025 Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). A tree that has a long life, some living 500 years and beyond. The oldest known Eastern Hemlock which is at least 554 years old, is in Tionesta, Pennsylvania. However the North American Eastern Hemlock in much of its range is endangered by infestation by the invasive Hemlock…
-
Black Birch Catkins
November 29, 2025 The male catkins (or male flowers) of Black Birch (Betula lenta) form in the late summer and early autumn, overwintering in a dormant state. When spring arrives these catkins lengthen to 3/4 – 1 inch, and mature to release pollen to the wind. Black Birch is a monoecious tree, having both male…
-
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker At The Birdbath
November 28, 2025 Even when it’s cold, like now, birds need water. Here a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) enjoys having some water available at the birdbath. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
-
Northern Saw-Whet Owl
November 27, 2025 A very fortunate sighting, one night back on November 18, 2016, as I was coming home on our lane just before 9pm. A small bird flew in front of my truck and landed on a tree just on the other side of the lane. It clung to the bark of the tree…
-
Mincemeat Pie For Thanksgiving
November 26, 2025 All set. Mincemeat pie for Thanksgiving dessert. Have a lovely holiday! _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
-
Pinecones Of Pitch Pine
November 25, 2025 Pinecones of Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida), which are usually between 2 to 4 inches long. Its bundles of needles are called fascicles, each of these fascicles normally contain 3 thick, twisted needles ranging in size from 2.5 to 5 inches long. These needles sometimes will emerge directly from the trunk rather than…
-
Northern Flicker Yellow-shafted Form
November 24, 2025 This, a Northern Flicker (Yellow Shafted Form)(Colaptes auratus auratus), and many other birds enjoy the berries of Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra). There are so many things that make me thankful for being surrounded by nature. This magnificent bird is one of those things. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily…