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A Strawberry Leaf
The landscape during winter. Shades of black, brown, white, with a bit of deep, subtle blue-green. A Cardinal adds spark to the setting. Feathers of scarlet keeping him warm. Look down as you step. Wild strawberries that gave you joy last summer have left a reminder. Leaves of wild strawberries now covered with frost.
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Flowers in WINTER!
Me — always a positive outlook. But I’m wondering about this winter. It is not living up to my expectations. Are we going to end up with the warmest January on record? Is climate change doing its thing? There are rumors from the weather people of snow next week. Be still my heart! Just now,…
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Eastern Comma
Another butterfly that you may see as you hike on an unusually warm winter day. An Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma). These species of butterflies that overwinter as adults have the ability to survive due to the presence of glycerol in their blood which prevents their bodies from freezing. They may come out to enjoy the…
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Mourning Cloak
As you are out hiking during the winter, take your time. Look around, notice things. There is so much to see, even in the dead of winter. If you’re fortunate you may see a Mourning Cloak Butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) on the trail in that patch of sunshine ahead of you, warming itself. They overwinter as…
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Winter Slumber
In the Blue Ridge of central Virginia bears take a winter slumber. Waking on the rare occasion to thrill those who pay attention to such things. This sleepless creature roamed the woods in January, 2015. Years later, another sleepless one. January 2020 noted by one who pays attention to such things. Rare occasion indeed.
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Snow On The Porch
Yesterday afternoon it snowed. To my eyes, backed with my wild imagination, it looked like we were having a blizzard. After all was said and done the snowfall measured a whopping 1/2 inch. So much better than nothing. The kid in me, delighted. January 16, 2021.
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Winter Magic
Magic. A long abandoned silky spider web. A burst of inches of snow. Decorations for a wonderful winter. Today’s lunch was accompanied with snow showers. Not enough to provide trimmings but enough to fill my heart with joy. And now, this afternoon, a tiny rush of snow looking like a miniature blizzard to someone with…
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Winter, Soon
Winter. Crisp cold days when hot chocolate comes to mind. White landscapes if I am lucky. Otherwise black and white, pen and ink vistas. The best of all seasons when little White-throated Sparrows, Zonotrichia albicollis, keep me company. Cheer me with their song.
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Yuccas
I love Yucca flowers. There are 2 different yucca species growing in my yard, each blooming in a different season. Yucca filamentosa, which is native to Virginia, blooms in early summer. And this one, Yucca gloriosa, native to extreme southeastern Virginia, blooms in early autumn. Remarkable that they both are native to this state, since…
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A New Season
Evening. Last day of summer 2020. I am SO looking forward to a new season. A change of direction. Some positive actions and thinking in all this insanity. Up instead of down. Bright instead of bleak. Health instead of sickness. Bring on AUTUMN.