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Malay Lacewing
An exquisite butterfly whose brilliant colors warn any predators of its toxicity. Malay Lacewing (Cethosia hypsea). It’s native from Burma to Indonesia and the Philippines. And if you’d rather not travel that far to see it, it can be occasionally found at Brookside Gardens, Silver Spring, Maryland, in their butterfly house.
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Rain in February
Rain yesterday. Rain today. Rain in February, 1.25 inches. Much needed. It should have been snow, but the temperatures were much too warm for February. But the trees, the plants, each and every one happy. And in the rain, one of my favorite things in my world of nature, here on my mountain. American Chestnut…
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More Oriental Bittersweet
More and more Oriental Bittersweet vines (Celastrus orbiculatus) seem to be magically appearing in my woods. It’s not literally magic though. The female vines produce berries which birds and other berry eating animals dine on and then distribute the seeds far and wide. And that is where the little seedlings appear. Far and wide, even…
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Oriental Bittersweet
I’m sad to say, an exotic invasive, Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), is spreading rapidly throughout my woods. This is what the vine looks like right now in the middle of winter. Red berries encased in bright yellow capsules, that get eaten by birds and other animals and then distributed by the critters, often long distances…
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Lavender and Cabbage Whites
Skipping months ahead, June, and Lavender will be blooming. Ah that scent! I love it. Most people enjoy it too but many insects, including fleas, ticks, flies, and moths are repelled by the scent. As you can see, apparently not Cabbage White butterflies (Pieris rapae). Along with other butterflies, bees are attracted to Lavender, who…
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Song Sparrow Revisited
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia). A sparrow that is here in central Virginia all year long. Mainly a ground feeder, eating insects spring, summer and autumn. Dining on seeds and various fruits as the weather turns cold. The Song Sparrow is one of the most variable songbirds, with as many as 30 different phases of this…
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Blooms in the Snow
Hellebores. Native to southern and central Europe, where they’re often found growing in the mountains in stony clay soils. It’s no wonder they seem so at home here in my gardens. Though not a native, I must say they are well behaved and know just where their bounds are. They welcome snow in late January…
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Here for the Winter
Today is a delightful day. Not only snow falling several hours this morning that has continued into this afternoon which now coincides with what the weather folks are saying, “Snow this afternoon.” But also a diminutive bird that I only see in the winter, and for the most part only at the birdbath, has made…
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Look But Don’t Touch!
Many caterpillars aren’t to safe to pick up. If you don’t know what the species is that you’re admiring, proceed with caution. These are four caterpillars that can cause a very itchy rash if you pick them up. To be safe, look but don’t touch. This one is a Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae).…
