-
They Are Back!
April 29, 2025 They arrived this afternoon. At least that’s when they came by to enjoy the bird baths. A male and female American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) adding their bright colors to the woods around the cabin. The image above is the male Redstart in his rich black and vivid orange. And this the female…
-
Brilliant Color Is A Warning
April 28, 2025 This is a Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) wearing a red-orange color as a warning to predators. In all stages of their lives they are poisonous. Their skin secretes tetrodotoxin, a potent poison. During their land dwelling juvenile stage in life they are particularly toxic, therefore the warning. They start out living in…
-
Seldom Seen
April 27, 2025 This blog post title, it is not the bluegrass group, The Seldom Scene, it’s about a bird that I hear often but rarely get an opportunity to capture in a picture. The Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus). Both male and female make a call that sounds like a Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) saying, “Myaaah!”…
-
Someone Is Looking!
April 26, 2025 The past couple days there has been a male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) that has been coming to the backdoor. He sits on the ledge, and moves from side to side, while peering in. He has also come to the front door, peering in. The female Bluebird of this affectionate couple is…
-
Philadelphia Fleabane
April 25, 2025 Blooming everywhere now. Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), with blooms perfect for a doll house. Native to North America this Fleabane is found in almost all our states and Canada. Each bloom has many threadlike ray flowers, or petals, perhaps 150 to 400 that are white and also pink. The yellow center contains…
-
In The Neighborhood
April 24, 2025 There have been Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) hanging around in the front of the cabin for quite some time. This afternoon I happened to spot this pair at the birdbath, and the male was checking out one of the birdhouses at the back of the cabin. There has been a Bluebird family…
-
Virginia State Insect
April 23, 2025 The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) pollinating apple blossoms, one of the steps in creating apples. The host plants of the Tiger Swallowtail are those in the Magnolia and Rose families. As an adult this butterfly enjoys a long life compared to many other butterflies, sipping the nectar of many flowers from…
-
Growing At The Summit Of Hightop
April 22, 2025 A plant in the genus Sedum, and one that is quite prevalent in its native range of eastern North America. I first became acquainted with Woodland Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) on one of my many hikes up Hightop, where it grows atop the boulders at the summit of the mountain. It enjoys growing…
-
More Pink In The Spring
April 21, 2025 This afternoon, climbing up the mountain I was really pleased to find a Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) blooming with the look of, “Happy SPRING!” These flowers are one of many on my list of favorite flowers. And to top off the fun color, cool leaves, and how they grow into beautiful clumps,…
-
Miniature Iris Growing In The Garden
April 20, 2025 A bright spot in one of my gardens. Flowers my Mom would adore. Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), found on rocky, wooded slopes. Native to the eastern and southern United States. Quite short for an Iris, it grows to between 4 and 9 inches tall, and spreads by rhizomes. Wonderful to see…