Black Walnut Bark

So many trees out there! Summer provides us with leaves to look at to recognize species, often right away. When winter arrives we’re left with very little hint as to what species of tree we might be looking at. Along with limb character, the tips and buds on branches, and the look of leaf scars, there is also the bark of the tree. The tree above is a Black Walnut (Juglans nigra).

Black Walnut is a tree that is plentiful here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, giving me an opportunity to really get acquainted with all its traits. In the image above a White-breasted Nuthatch is checking out the bark of a Black Walnut tree by going down the trunk in its amusing way, going down head-first. Check out the pattern that the bark has presented to you.

From time to time the bark of the Black Walnut will remind me of a work of macrame or some other fiber artwork. Weaving maybe?

In this photo you’ll see a couple perfectly round holes in the Black Walnut bark. These are created by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The Sapsucker will hammer out a series of holes, drink the sap and eat the insects that get trapped in the sticky liquid.


The bark of Black Walnut, is communicating to you. Speaking to you in its limited winter way. Trying to tell you its identity.

Ash Trees

SNOW! Overnight I got six big inches of snow here at my cabin. Snow to me means photographs. Nature all dressed up in fancy sparkly dress.

This afternoon my camera and I got our hiking boots on and went up the mountain. It has been much too long since we’ve been out to take in the charm beyond my gardens and my yard.


I was in for a reality check. I wasn’t noticing, “Nature all dressed up in fancy sparkly dress.” But I was noticing something very heartbreaking.

I knew that Emerald Ash Borer had been attacking trees here on the mountain but to see so many in such a state of decline was a shock.


The Emerald Ash Borer is a native of north-eastern Asia. The first introduction of EAB to the US probably was to Michigan in the early to mid-1990s. Since then EAB has been found in 35 states.

What you are seeing in all these images, that lighter color of the bark. It’s called “blonding” and is a sign that the tree has been attacked by the EAB.

A sign that the tree is going to die. Soon there will be no Ash trees here in the mountains. This afternoon was indeed quite the reality check.

Putty Root Orchid

An orchid that is native to eastern and central U.S., and Canada. Putty Root (Aplectrum hyemale).


The world of Mother Nature is always filled with surprises. This plant provides one of those surprises. Its growth timing seems backward. In autumn the plant sends up ONE basal leaf to collect dappled sunlight during the fall, winter and spring. That leaf may grow to be as much as eight inches long. The top side of the unusual leaf is green with thin white stripes, the under side is purplish. Spring approaches, the leaf will fade.


Come late spring that single leaf will be totally withered away and in its place will grow a solitary flowering stalk that can rise to be perhaps ten inches tall.

Without striking colors, the leaf is more noticeable than the flowers. Still, it’s a native orchid. Remarkable.

Common Hackberry

Tree bark offers great opportunity to identify a tree during the winter. Some more straightforward than others. One tree that through its bark is a cinch to figure out, Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis). Its bark makes me think of a 3D topo map with all the ridges and valleys laid out and wrapped around the trunk.

The amount of furrowing increases as the tree ages. This image above is a younger tree than in the first photo.

Another point I pick up on in identifying, no matter what the season is, is the presence of Hackberry Galls, which are very often present on the twigs or leaves. These are caused by irritation of cells due to an insect called a Psyllid feeding on the Hackberry leaves and small branches.

In early summer you will find drupes (the fruit of the Common Hackberry Tree) on the trees. As the drupes mature they will go from green to a rich coppery purple color.

One last morsel of information not related to the identification of this tree is about a butterfly. The Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis) depends on the Common Hackberry Tree as its exclusive caterpillar host plant. No Common Hackberry Trees, no Hackberry Emperors.

Intrepid Daffodil

In the garden today – the intrepid daffodil. Sending fingers up to test out conditions. Or perhaps their bulbs are sending up periscopes to see if it’s safe.

But for Daffodils things are just fine. They can take most anything. Even snow in late March.

Tough as nails they stand up to wintery conditions. Surprise ice and snow in mid April? No worry. The daffodils say, “Bring on spring! We’re READY!”

Lucky Bird Day

Today was a lucky bird kind of day. And I didn’t even step outside. Mid-day I spotted a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) in one of the huge oak trees in front of my cabin. Not at all unusual here, but to see one, a HUGE and BEAUTIFUL bird, is to stop everything to admire the moment. As you can see, I did manage to get a photo. Glad I could at least record the moment.

Then in the middle of the afternoon I went upstairs to my bedroom and found, looking in through the window at me, a charming Barred Owl (Strix varia), sitting in a Tulip Poplar Tree. A tree that had been destined to be cut down for the sake of ultimate fire safety. Now, that tree will be saved. My owls must have a perch.

The owl was generous with its time, turning its head as if doing yoga. Making me wish I could do the same. Then it was off, to find another perch, perhaps where there was not a camera trained in on its every move.

But outside is where I should have been. Hiking up the mountain. Putting in more miles. Taking in more of Mother Nature’s world. Another day, another year, I was doing just that, and stumbled upon this. Another Barred Owl. A mom or dad, watching over the little one.

The little one, looking so sweet. Oh, I certainly could feel those EYES of mom or dad, perhaps thirty feet away. Staring DOWN at me. For sure another lucky bird day.

Dogwood Buds In Ice

As I went to bed last night sleet and freezing rain were clicking at my skylight windows promising me a very good next day. There’s been hardly any snow so far this winter. Sleet and freezing rain with its resulting ice is NEARLY as wonderful to me as “take me back to my childhood” snow.

Morning brought the promised gift of diamonds in the trees. Off to roam I went with my buddy, my camera, before I even had breakfast. Pure delight. Ice on everything.

Ice on the many Flowering Dogwood Trees that have established themselves up and down the mountain. Ice on the buds that formed, long ago mid-summer. Buds that wait — autumn into winter into finally bloom time. Now encased in ice. Buds waiting for spring.

Cooper’s Hawk


A garden with bunches of song birds cheerily partaking of the goodies put out at the feeders. Quite a busy scene. And then, “POOF!” in the blink of an eye everyone vanishes. Not a one to be seen. Totally quiet. Not a soul.


What just happened? Look into the trees. There, sitting perfectly still. It’s a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii).

It’ll stay for a seemingly endless time hoping for a little bird to act a bit brashly. That little bird at risk of becoming the hawk’s lunch. The circle of life.


Cooper’s Hawks are remarkably similar to the Sharp-shinned Hawk and have many points of subtle difference. The one difference I try to keep in mind is size. The Cooper’s Hawk is about the size of a Crow while the Sharp-shinned Hawk is more the size of a Robin. Hard to tell though, if there are no other birds around to compare with. But keep size in mind if you’re lucky enough to see one of these beautiful birds.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Yesterday’s post was about an irruptive visitor. The tiny Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) who shows up in the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, if its usual seed supply is less than optimal. But there’s another Nuthatch that lives here all year long. The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis).

It is fun to find this Nuthatch searching for insects in crevices of tree bark. It goes up, down, and when heading DOWN the tree trunk it goes head first. It will eat insects, seeds, nuts, suet and peanut butter. A nice customer to have at the feeder.

I love to hear the White-breasted Nuthatch making its wonderful songs and calls. Announcing itself with a series of soft chuckles. Or on other occasions it may sound like the beep of a small tin toy car.

A little bird, larger than the Red-breasted Nuthatch, smaller than a Tufted Titmouse. Fun to find whether at the feeder or as I’m wandering the mountain.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

A little feathered creature that I see some winters. A bird that is said to be “irruptive,” meaning it depends on the seed supply where it normally spends its winters. In years when the seeds of pine, spruce, and fir trees are not plentiful these birds will venture into areas where they are not normally seen.


The Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) shows up here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia every two or three years. I’m always pleased to see them. And their songs and calls bring a smile to my face. They sound like a chuckle, or like the horn of a terribly tiny tin toy car.


While they’re here they will visit my feeders, eating the sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet that is put out. Sometimes I’ll see a Red-breasted Nuthatch going back and forth to the feeders, much more frequently than what I might expect. More than likely this means it is going to a special hiding place, stashing food in crevices in tree bark. Putting the food away for later.

So glad you guys are here and I hope I’ll see you next winter too.