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Wild Ageratum Or Mist Flower
August 21, 2025 So many common names. For these charming flowers I use the common name, Wild Ageratum. Its scientific name was recently changed to Conoclinium coelestinum. These are herbaceous perennials that grow to between 1 and 2.5 feet tall. Leaves on the stems are opposite, and those stems are topped with flat-topped clusters of…
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Oodles of Spotted Lanternflies
August 20, 2025 A neighbor that has a tree service was out yesterday taking care of some trees that had come down during a rain storm. The picture above shows an assemblage of undesirable Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) on their very favorite, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). This was pointed out to him, and he was…
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Thyreodon Atricolor
August 19, 2025 A remarkable insect resembling a Common Thread-waisted Wasp (Ammophila procera), but BIG! This is an insect that is difficult to find anything about, there’s very little out there. It doesn’t even have a common name. Say, “Hello!” to Thyreodon atricolor. That’s its scientific name. It was quite active as I tried to…
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Ragweed
August 18, 2025 They’re just now beginning to bloom. Ragweed, yes a weed, but also responsible for the bothersome problem that many people suffer from – allergies in autumn. Depending on which source of information you choose, there are 40, 45, or 50 species of Ragweed native to North America. Four of those species are…
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A Pickerel Frog
August 17, 2025 My smallish, man-made pond attracts many creatures, including several different species of turtles and frogs. This one is a Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris). I love the pattern it’s wearing. The Pickerel Frog is said to be medium in size, averaging 1.75″ to 3″ in length. Its body is gray or tan, and…
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Writing Spider
August 16, 2025 A Writing Spider or Yellow Garden Spider with the scientific name of Argiope aurantia. Seems every late summer or early autumn one of these beautiful spiders shows up among the Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida) at the yoga studio marking her spot with a zigzag pattern on her web. This is a female.…
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Tiger Swallowtail That Is Not Yellow
August 15, 2025 When I think of a Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), I automatically think of a yellow butterfly with black stripes. But there are females of that species that mimic Pipevine Swallowtails (Battus philenor) and are mainly black. Plants in the genus, Aristolochia, that are in abundance in the south, are used as the…
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Yellow Jewelweed
August 14, 2025 I’m used to seeing the very common Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), but up here in the mountains I also find Yellow Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida). And on occasion I even see the white form of Yellow Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida forma speciosa). Mother Nature is enchanting. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog…
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First Buckeye This Season!
August 13, 2025 Yesterday I had a fun surprise. A seldom seen Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) sipping nectar from Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens) which seems to be quite popular for pollinators. Though some butterflies do not eat at all during their adult lives, the Common Buckeye does. They have a short life, living approximately ten…