March 9, 2026
Yellow symbolizes sunshine, joy, happiness, and energy. And that is what it conveys to me as I see these, first of the spring Daffodils (Narcissus). Delayed a bit by our extremely cold weather, along with the snowcrete, but now in bloom. These the first, there are other varieties that will bloom later, spreading their joy across the landscape.
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March 8, 2026
An American Woodcock (Scolopax minor). An amazing creature.
Here, a photo with better lighting to see its handy beak. Their beaks are usually between 2.5 and 3 inches long, with a prehensile tip that is sensitive and flexible. The Woodcock uses its beak to probe soil, hunting for earthworms and other invertebrates, which it can detect using its sensitive tip, and will grasp its prey thanks to the flexibility of that tip.
What talent!
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March 7, 2026
The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) the ultimate seedeater. Enjoying the seeds of Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta).
I leave my gardens during the winter, to be cleaned up in the spring. That leaves the seedheads as a source of food for the birds all winter long. And I can always depend on the Goldfinches to be the ones most often taking advantage of the situation.
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March 6, 2026
Generally an adult butterfly has a short lifespan of just 2 to 4 weeks. The longest lifespan of an adult butterfly in North American is that of the Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), from 10 to 12 months.
In order to accomplish this, the Mourning Cloak overwinters as an adult. They seek shelter from the winter weather in tree crevices, or wood piles.
I’ve been seeing Mourning Cloaks out already, enjoying the early March weather. As the seasons go by, keep in mind that you may see one of these butterflies on a warm midwinter day.
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March 5, 2026
A Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), on the lookout for lunch, sitting atop a birdhouse, rather than its usual perch on the branch of a tree.
A medium-sized Buteo. Males ranging in size from 15 to 23 inches, and weighing an average of 1.21 pounds. Females range in size from 17 to 24 inches, and weigh an average of 1.54 pounds. Their average wingspan is 37 to 43 inches.
Fortunately for the songbirds that come for seeds in my yard, they are always on the lookout for predators.
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March 4, 2026
Hellebores (Helleborus) native to Eurasia. There are 15 to 22 recognized species in this genus. I have a few of those species in my gardens. Remarkable plants, after seeing what they have come through this winter, and bloom as if everything was perfectly normal. But then the Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), and Snowdrops (Gallanthus) have come through as if this winter has been no big deal, as well. Whew.
Nature is remarkable.
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March 3, 2026
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Native to the Eastern United States and Canada. Very popular with Robins (Turdus migratorius) and Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) in late autumn through February as they eat the fruits, or cones, of the Cedar.
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March 2, 2026
Midafternoon today, snow has been coming down in a heavy manner, as if it’s in a hurry to cover everything. A brilliant dot of scarlet in a Flowering Dogwood tree (Cornus florida). Just what the second day of meteorological spring needs.
Late afternoon, fog comes in. The snow stops, at least for the moment, leaving an inch and a half.
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March 1, 2026
Oh my! Is time ever flying!
Spring is here. Well, meteorological spring anyway. I like using the meteorological seasons, since by the time the end of one season is approaching, I am quite ready for the next one to arrive.
This is a picture of Snowdrops (Galanthus), one of just a few flowers that are typically blossoming even before meteorological spring arrives. Native to Europe and Eurasia. A member of the Amaryllis family. In bloom, happily greeting spring right now.
There are several words for a group of Snowdrops including blizzard, drift, flurry, flourish, dusting, splendor, spectacle, sprinkling, spring, and salutation. Some of the words are a bit funny, but seem appropriate, others bring to mind deeper meaning. I’m not sure which one I would chose if I was searching for just the right collective noun. But I’m quite glad they are blooming.
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February 28, 2026
A walk down to the stream. Passing so many intriguing things along the way, Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), blue quartz, many different Mosses and Lichens, Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata), a remarkable burl on a White Oak (Quercus alba), nest of a Organ Pipe Mud Dauber (Trypoxylon politum), and Ground Cedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum), among so many things to make it a special day in nature.
Once down to the stream, I got many pictures of the gurgling water. Now, looking back through the images, I’m struck by this picture of the water. It reminds me of the dramatic impasto paintings of Vincent van Gogh.
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” – Vincent van Gogh.
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