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Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). It’s no secret that I am totally crazy about winter. The black and white, pen and ink landscape takes me back to my childhood. Add a male Northern Cardinal to that beautiful landscape and you’ve got the perfect image. The female Cardinal has her own beauty. Soft tawny brown with subtle…
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Virginia Bluebells
An ephemeral spring plant native to eastern North America. Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica). I’m watching. I’m waiting. I just checked. No sign of them yet. BUT very soon. Surely in less than two weeks I’ll be seeing leaves of purply-green emerging from the soil. Reaching for the sun. These plants enjoy being in a shady…
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Winter Aconite
The same day that I first heard the raucous clacking of wood frogs coming from the pond, my Winter Aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) were beginning to bloom. Just hours before meteorological spring was about to begin. These small screaming yellow beauties were a gift from a dear friend years ago. Since then they have won my…
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First Wood Frogs of Spring
As the evening was coming to a close last night I was so pleased to hear a sound I’ve grown fond of. “Clack, clack, clack!” An odd sound not heard since LAST spring. Today my pond has been REALLY active. The sound of Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). They’ve left their winter hibernating spots. Perhaps under…
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Pie Crust
Pies make the world go round. And one basic thing is common in nearly all pies. The crust. Many different recipes. Not for ME. I use one recipe that I got from my Mom and I stick with it. No sense in tangling with perfection. Here’s the recipe that I use without fail. Memorized since…
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Cherry Custard Pie
George Washington’s birthday was just a few days ago. A celebration took place in my kitchen and the end result was a cherry custard pie. Not my usual pie and certainly not my usual CHERRY pie. But I’d say it was quite a success. Another of the household would prefer the recipe for cherry pie…
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Song Sparrow
Some might think this an LBJ. A little brown job. But certainly deserving of more distinction than that. This, a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) and a master of camouflage. A bird that is known for its rich collection of songs. Quite the crooners, males use their songs to identify their territory and to attract females.…
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Downy Woodpecker and Hierarchy
Like High Noon at the OK Corral. A Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) sizes up its competition, a Chickadee (Paridae) and a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Two pipsqueaks. As intimidation begins, Chickadee excuses itself. Leaving Downy Woodpecker and Carolina Wren to a showdown. Downy Woodpecker poofs its wing feathers. While Carolina Wren proceeds to enjoy the…
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Bloodroot
It’s hard for me to believe since I’ve still got snow on the ground, but spring is nearly here. At least meteorological spring. It arrives on March 1. The weather here is assuredly unpredictable. We’ll see what the month of March brings forth. Spring or more winter? But plants will be sprouting no matter. One…
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Hoarfrost
The cold temperatures of winter can create such works of wonder. Often so delicate they can’t be touched for fear of destruction. Occasionally the beauty makes me forget that what I am looking at, such as these rose hips of Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora), is something that I work diligently to rid my woods of.…