A Violet That’s Yellow

“Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from.” – Jodie Foster.

Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens). A violet that chooses to be yellow rather than the normal purple. It can be found in the eastern and northeastern United States, and southwestern Canada. The flowers are pollinated by bees, flies and butterflies.

After the first chasmogamous flowers are produced with petals open inviting pollination, there is a second round of cleistogamous flowers produced. These are small flowers, similar to buds which will remained closed, that will self-pollinate. Both the first flowers and the second bud-like flowers will produce seeds.

Blackhaw in Bloom

Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) in bloom in the woods now. Its nectar and pollen attracting both bees and flies. Caterpillars of the Spring/Summer Azure Butterfly feed on buds and flowers of Blackhaw while later instars of Baltimore Checkerspot will occasionally nibble on the leaves.

Lovely to see this small tree/or shrub blooming in its native eastern North America. Cymes of 1/4 inch flowers that are each punctuated with 5 long stamens with thin white filaments topped with yellow anthers.

 

Trumpet Honeysuckle Blooms

Much to the delight of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, the Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), has started to bloom.

It seems designed specifically to the needs of hummingbirds with its long, tubular red-orange flowers. Trumpet Honeysuckle is native to the eastern United States including East Texas and Oklahoma.

It’s adding some lovely color to my yard. And much like the hummingbirds being delighted, I’m totally pleased that it’s blooming for them.

Indigo Bunting Sighting

The world of birds has just become a bit brighter, at least here around my cabin. I’ve just spotted an Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) out at the suet feeder. During the breeding season these brilliant blue birds settle into areas from southern Canada to northern Florida. If you’d like to tempt them to come to your backyard feeder, they are seed eaters that may be tempted by Nyjer seed, and that suet too. Also, always have water available and consider planting native berry producing plants.

Though winter is my favorite season, there certainly are good things about the warmer months too, like seeing Indigo Buntings.

Bowman’s Root

Bowman’s Root (Gillenia trifoliata) is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 2-3′ tall. It’s native to eastern North America from Ontario to Georgia.

Bowman’s Root is found up here in the mountains along the trails. It’s fun to find blooms with their five-pointed flappy star-like flowers. Right now the bushes are not in bloom, although some have buds. I expect in about a week there will be lots of flowers. I’m looking forward to seeing them again.

Much Sought After

Late April into very early May is when Morels, in the Morchella genus, are in the woods up here, waiting to be found. As if the Easter Bunny had placed them to be found. Rain helps them sprout up through the soil.

Though edible, Morel consumption needs to be approached with caution. They contain a toxin which is destroyed during cooking. So, never eat raw Morels. Also it’s quite possible to have an allergic reaction to Morels. When consuming them for the first time, proceed with caution. Only a small amount to begin with.

I live in the woods but that is not the only place that Morels are found. I once found one growing in my yard in Arlington, Virginia. A total, bewildering thrill to me.

Being a photographer, my interest in Morels is simply in their beauty. I collect Morels in photographs, for the most part without eating them.

Watching The Blueberry Crop

Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

Eastern Towhees are here in the mountains of central Virginia year round. Their diet is primarily insects, seeds and berries and during the summer they tend, of course, to eat more insects. True bugs, beetles, ants, caterpillars, moths, millipedes, spiders and snails are all on the menu. But there’s something special to me, which I share with them. Those blueberries. This fellow is watching over them. Watching how they are growing. Watching and waiting for them to ripen. Just like I am. I wholeheartedly enjoy sharing the blueberries with the birds. For me, the berries mean pies, pancakes, muffins. For them it means breakfast, lunch and dinner. Glad to share.

Mountain Stonecrop

Mountain Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)

“Once established, this prostrate, spreading ground cover needs little, if any, maintenance.” — Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Now that is my kind of plant.

A native to much of the eastern United States. As you can see, its flowers are star-like with four points. The leaves are arranged in whorls of three. Flowers in late spring and early summer. The leafy plants are 2 to 3 inches tall with blooms towering over them at 6 to 8 inches tall. Pollinators are various bees, wasps and flies.