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Boulder Jack-O-Lantern
October 20, 2025 I had to share this with you, given that it is that time of year. A picture from 2014 of a Jack-O-Lantern that appeared where a huge boulder had been, near the front entrance to William Monroe High School in Stanardsville, Virginia. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog…
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Frost Aster And Butterflies
Octber 19, 2025 Approaching late October and the butterflies are busy at the flowers that are still blooming. Here an Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), top, and a Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia), bottom, are sipping the nectar of Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum). _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign…
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Red Maple
October 18, 2025 Dressing up for the season with butter yellow leaves accented with brilliant crimson, Red Maple (Acer rubrum). In eastern North America, Red Maple is known as one of the most common trees. Easily found from southern Canada clear down to Florida and west to eastern Texas where they can grow in a…
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Unkempt Gardens
October 15, 2025 Look very carefully at the top of the head of this Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula). You’ll see a red spot, which is how they get part of their common name, “ruby-crowned”. Only the male has this crown. Sometimes it is quite obvious, such as when the male is singing, interacting with another…
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A Tufted Titmouse And A Sunflower
October 14, 2025 Autumn, and the end of the Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) season. A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) is picking out the last of the seeds for an afternoon snack. The Titmouse comes to the seedhead, gets one seed, and takes it to a sturdy branch to perch. It holds the seed with its feet…
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American Crow
October 13, 2025 American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) A large passerine (a large order of birds distinguished by feet that are adapted for perching, including all songbirds), with a length from beak to tail of 16 to 20 inches, with nearly half being its tail. Its wingspan is 33 to 39 inches. These Crows are found over much of…
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Shades Of Red
October 12, 2025 The change from green to red started way back in late June. Most people don’t notice it. The change in leaf color is quite subtle but it really does start that early, many months before this climax. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) now, showing off its reds. Scarlet berries and leaves so rich…
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Pensive Phoebe
October 11, 2025 Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) Sitting perfectly still, concentrating on what might be flying by. Waiting for an insect which might provide a quick snack. Autumn is here but there are still insects aplenty, but as winter approaches there won’t be so many. The Phoebes do quite well here through the winter supplementing their…