March 29, 2026
Today would have been my Dad’s 101st birthday. This picture is from the first time Mom and Dad got to meet our Granddaughter, and their Great-granddaughter. She is resting on my Mom’s shoulder, and Dad is reaching out to her tiny hand.
So many special memories.
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March 28, 2026
An Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) in the garden looking for flying insects, which they catch in mid-air. I’ve been watching, within a few days I expect a female Phoebe will begin building a nest at the site she has come to in years past. Under the eaves of the woodshop.
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March 27, 2026
Male pollen cones of Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana).
Compared to the female seed cones that we are more familiar with, male pollen cones are smaller, softer, in larger clusters, than female cones. In central Virginia pollen cones release their yellow pollen into the wind from mid-March through May.
The pollen cones soon turn brown and wither away, after sending their pollen into the air.
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March 26, 2026
A Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus). Here in central Virginia they sometimes come for winter’s nonbreeding season. Sometimes they don’t.
They are said to be irruptive migrants, much like Robins (Turdus migratorius). They may come into your general area and stay for most of the winter season, or they may be just a few miles away enjoying the things they love to eat. Things like seeds from conifers, and seeds from Elms, Maples, Tulip Poplars, and berries of Junipers, Dogwoods, and even Poison Ivy. If you’re feeding the birds, these Finches love black oil Sunflower seeds. They’ll be where they feel they are most well fed.
Soon they’ll be on their way north, heading to their breeding grounds. Hoping I’ll see a few next autumn and winter.
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March 25, 2026
Just emerging. So small you need to know where to look to find them. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica). Soon to be blooming with bright yellow Wood Poppies (Stylophorum diphyllum), both being native to the Eastern and Midwest United States, in rich, moist, deciduous woodlands. You will often find them growing side by side in floodplain forests, along streams, and in ravines.
A yummy sight of spring.
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March 24, 2026
Wild Pink (Silene caroliniana)
Native to eastern North America. Host plant of Fritillary butterflies (Argynnini).
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March 23, 2026
Early spring. Such an elegant look is unfolding in the woods up here. A wash of pink is just beginning to take over the leafless landscape. Blooms of Redbud (Cercis canadensis) are just beginning to open. As spring develops, so will the pink wash, being joined by Flowering Dogwood blooms (Cornus florida).
A work of art in the woods.
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March 22, 2026
A Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), pounding on a tree quite a distance away, yet making as much noise as a jackhammer. Hammering on a tree at up to 20 times per second. That makes my head hurt just thinking about it.
Woodpeckers hammer on trees in search of food, to create a nesting hole, or to lure a mate. They’re well equipped for this action. They have small brains which are snuggly packed into their skulls which protects the brain from being bashed around. Also they have specialized skull structures, very strong neck muscles, and a long tongue (one third of their body length) that wraps around the brain, acting like a seatbelt to ease the impact forces.
Impressive.
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March 21, 2026
This afternoon’s potato planting brought about quite a surprise, a Yellow Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). A Salamander that is not often seen since they generally are under logs, in leaf litter, or in underground burrows created by other animals. They are usually near a vernal pool, which they migrate to once a year in early spring for mating.
These Spotted Salamanders eat Centipedes and Millipedes, Spiders, Snails, Slugs, Earthworms, and various Insects. They have a high mortality rate as larvae, but once they reach their adult stage they can live 20 to 30 years in the wild.
Hmm, wonder where it went to.
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March 20, 2026
Today, the first day of astronomical spring and what shows up? An Eastern Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis). Also known to me as, Squiggles. Not a specific Black Rat Snake, but any that I see automatically gets that name. Certainly not what I would have expected to see on this day.
This species of snake is described in some places as “large”. That I disagree with. They are “long” snakes, yes, but not large. They are non-venomous, constrictors, native to New England south through Georgia and west to the Appalachian Mountains. Growing to 3 to 6 feet long, they are exceptional climbers and swimmers. A good snake to have around since they eat rodents.
Glad to have you here Squiggles.
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