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Scarlet Tanager and Things to Come
This morning was what seems to be quite the trend. Sleet and freezing rain. That rain turned the landscape into a sparkly fairyland. For me, this winter has become The Winter of Ice and Sleet. And this is no complaint. I’m absolutely loving all the frozen precipitation. All the diamond covered trees. Snow takes me…
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Yellow-rumped Warblers
An occasional visitor to my bird bath, in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. A Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). Fondly called Butterbutts by birders. If you don’t have a bird bath, I sure recommend one equipped with a water warmer to keep the water from freezing during the coldest that winter can throw at you. These warblers…
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Brumation of Box Turtles
Brumation is a bit like hibernation, but warm-blooded animals hibernate while reptiles and amphibians brumate. Somewhat different. Our box turtles that we’re so familiar with dig burrows in soft soil in late autumn as the weather cools. They often return to the same location year after year, often to a site that is covered with…
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Jeffersonia or Twinleaf
Jeffersonia (Jeffersonia diphylla). In 1792 the botanist Benjamin Smith Barton named this plant after Thomas Jefferson. In 1807 Jefferson had Jeffersonia growing in one of the oval flower beds of Monticello. I’m proud to have something in common with my neighbor Thomas. Within a matter of four weeks I’ll be searching for these little signs…
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Tall Anemone
Tall Anemone (Anemone virginiana). A gift that shows up in my gardens thanks to Mother Nature. Filled with delight when it makes an appearance as a volunteer. A plant native to eastern North America where it can be found in 38 of the 50 United States. In the north from Maine to Minnesota and clear…
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This Wondrous World
Perhaps you’ve noticed. I tend to anthropomophize. A lot. Rocks have thoughts. Trees reach out to greet me. The wind speaks to me. And on this particular evening, in this particular photograph there is a lovely Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). A female enjoying the incredible beauty of the ice storm we had a few days…
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Tufted Titmouse Ballet
I wasn’t expecting to be so entertained. I’m sure the Tufted Titmouse didn’t have any ballet training. But it danced a dance that had me transfixed. The only thing missing, an orchestra playing a entrancing classical piece. The incentive? A simple mixture of three ingredients. Smooth peanut butter. Chunky would not have worked. Smooth Jif…
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Ice Storm After 4.5 Inches of Snow
No falling today, even though I’m out in The Incredible World of Ice and Snow. Walking in it feels like walking in a landscape filled with ice cubes. But OMG how beautiful. And along with the occasional drip drip drip there’s also the loud sound of snow and ice CRASHING to the glazed forest floor,…
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Cute Spider
Jumping Spiders (Phidippus) are to me nothing but charm. All of 1/8 to 3/4 inch long. They are not a threat to humans, but if they feel trapped or threatened they will bite. And they are venomous but that venom is not dangerous to people. They are carnivorous, eating for the most part small insects…
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Gregarious Cardinals
Quite the contrast to their breeding season during which Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are singularly territorial, winter is a time for them to hang out in flocks. Sitting in the blueberry bushes waiting their turn at the platform feeder. Waiting for a chance at the sunflower seeds. Or just sitting soaking up the sun enjoying…