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Blackberries
Wild blackberry bushes (Rubus allegheniensis) have just finished blooming up here in the mountains. The list of insects, game birds, songbirds and mammals that these bushes benefit goes on and on. Needless to say the ecological benefit of these bushes to wildlife is quite high. Many insects benefit from the pollen and nectar available in…
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Broad-headed Skink
Repairing the porch. Lots of noise and commotion. It brought out something I’ve not seen before. A Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps). A male during breeding season, with orange-red head that is puffed up which gives it the name “broad-headed.” I’ve seen lots of these skinks before, smaller ones, younger ones. Cute little ones just a…
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Yellow Garden Spider
Eye catching in its size and coloring, eye catching in its web design. Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). A pretty large spider. The body of the female, the larger of the sexes, is about an inch in length, up to three times the size of males. Add those long legs and that is indeed a…
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Carolina Wrens
Over the years I’ve had many Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) nests built here at my cabin. At least one out by the vegetable garden in a bird house. Another in a five-pointed star bird house on the porch. And in what seems to be a favorite spot, in an antique graniteware coffeepot hanging from the…
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Orchard Orb-weaver Spider
A jewel toned beauty in a spider. Tiny too. Orchard Orb-weaver Spider (Leucauge). Most males are smaller than females. The males are about an eighth of an inch long. The female about a quarter inch long. Tiny. I’ve happened upon these spiders on several visits to central Florida. I believe these are females because their…
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Venus’ Looking Glass
I’m always taking photos of things that I have no idea of their identification. That was the case back in late June 2013 when I took this photo. A small plant with little flowers with, oh my, what a gorgeous color. As always, I came back to my cabin and opened up my books to…
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Common Blue-eyed Grass
A clump of grass in early spring becomes green streaks, highlighted with six pointed dots of cheery blue. Common Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) is native to the eastern two thirds of the United States and Canada. Though “grass” is in the common name, it is not a grass at all but is in the iris…
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Green and Gold, Mid-May
My back hill with Green and Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) gleeming with its yellow blooms wants the sprinkler turned on. They’ll be happier that way. It’s mighty dry here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. I think that will be at the top of my to do list for tomorrow.
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Eastern Fence Lizard
A cute little creature that I see climbing on the cinder block foundation of my cabin on occasion. An Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). With golden eyes that stare back at me wondering what I am. Fence Lizards grow to be between four, and seven and a quarter inches long. Usually females are gradations of…
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Yellow Lady Slipper
Is there anything else so beautiful? Yellow Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum). A trek in Shenandoah National Park is pure joy no matter what, but add a sighting of this native orchid and I’m more than elated. But it’s not just in Virginia. This species of Yellow Lady’s slipper can be found in much of North…