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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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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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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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Giant Resin Bees
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is an incredible magnet for pollinators. A few mornings ago I found a surprise among the fragrant blooms of my milkweed. I’m accustomed to seeing Honey Bees, knowing they are not native to North America but I hadn’t given thought to there being any other world travelers visiting my mountain. Several…
