November 10, 2025
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), here for the winter. While here in Virginia they drill sapwells into trees to drink the sap. The sap attracts ants, spiders, and moths which are also part of their diet, along with berries from the likes of Poison Ivy, Black Gum, Virginia Creeper, Hackberry, Eastern Red Cedar, and Flowering Dogwood.
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November 9, 2025
Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis) prefer to live along stream and river banks, and flood plains, but they live up here in the mountains too.
In autumn their leaves go from green to various shades of yellow, gold, orange, and brown. Not an extremely remarkable show but one I’d call speckled. Still, along with that tall, marble-like trunk it’s a lovely sight.
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NOvember 8, 2025
Went for a hike up in Shenandoah National Park this afternoon. A beautiful day and lots of people out with the same idea. Up in those higher elevations the autumn leaves are past peak but it was still gorgeous up there.
The Spicebush berries (Lindera benzoin) were outstanding in their color, popping against the browns and golds. A treat for song birds such as the Wood Thrush, Verry, Hermit Thrush, Catbird, Cardinal and Red-eyed Vireo.
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November 7, 2025
Like countless trees up here, Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is showing off with a visual statement of dazzling color.
The Sassafras is scented throughout all its parts; leaves, flowers, roots, bark, drupes, and wood. Having the scent of citrus, star anise, cinnamon, licorice, and citrus.
Certainly one of my favorite trees.
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November 6, 2025
A Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) at a birdbath caring for its feathers. A tiny bird that is here only in winter. Smaller than a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), measuring 3.1 to 4.7 inches in length. The smallest Wren in North America.
Both Winter and Carolina Wrens are in the Troglodytidea or Wren family. While Carolina Wrens are boisterous, Winter Wrens are the quiet and secretive ones in the family.
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November 5, 2025
I get to see one every now and then, as they migrate through. Rarely do they stay for the winter. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula).
Smaller than a Chickadee (Poecile), only a little larger than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). Among the smallest songbirds in North America, with a wingspan of 6.3 to 7.1 inches. An average length of about 4.25 inches.
Thank goodness for the birdbath. That’s how I often get to see birds that I otherwise would miss.
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November 4, 2025
Despite the high winds that howled through the mountains a few days ago there are some Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida) that are clinging to the last of their crimson leaves.
Along with those leaves you can see buds that formed during the summer. Those buds will brave cold weather, ice storms and snow to bloom in spring.
I love being here with nature and four seasons to entertain me.
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November 3, 2025
I leave my gardens and their seeds for the birds. This picture, a look of appreciation from a Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as it chows down on the seeds of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida).
So many benefits of leaving those seedheads.
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November 2, 2025
A Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) lush with crimson drupes. Fewer today than there were just a week ago, since they are quite popular with countless birds. The leaves too, were brilliant in their color, then the wind came along this past Thursday and Friday, Halloween Day, blowing nearly all of the leaves away.
I notice a rhythm of production of berries, or drupes, on this Dogwood in particular since it is easy to see from the kitchen and dining room windows. The tree takes turns producing numerous berries one year and the next a meager number. This is normal for Flowering Dogwoods, but there are always environmental factors influencing this cycle.
Wondering how long the drupes will last. Robins (Turdus migratorius) that send out word to other Robins, when there is a particular abundance of their favorite foods, have already telegraphed word to their family and friends.
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November 1, 2025
White Oak (Quercus alba), quite a large tree, reaching heights of 50 to 80 feet, sometimes reaching over 100 feet; and a width of 3 to 4 feet (or more) in diameter. The life span of this tree is 200 to 300 years, with some trees living to be much older.
During autumn, like other deciduous trees, White Oaks drop their leaves. But there are some of this species that exhibit marcescence, holding dead leaves until early spring. This can happen in young White Oaks retaining their dead leaves, or on the lower branches of larger trees, until spring. As spring approaches the new buds will push the leaves of the previous year off. Whether this happens or not may depend on genetics, local climate, or stress.
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