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The Show Is Just Beginning
March 23, 2026 Early spring. Such an elegant look is unfolding in the woods up here. A wash of pink is just beginning to take over the leafless landscape. Blooms of Redbud (Cercis canadensis) are just beginning to open. As spring develops, so will the pink wash, being joined by Flowering Dogwood blooms (Cornus florida).…
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Woodpeckers And Concussions
March 22, 2026 A Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), pounding on a tree quite a distance away, yet making as much noise as a jackhammer. Hammering on a tree at up to 20 times per second. That makes my head hurt just thinking about it. Woodpeckers hammer on trees in search of food, to create a…
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Yellow Spotted Salamander
March 21, 2026 This afternoon’s potato planting brought about quite a surprise, a Yellow Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). A Salamander that is not often seen since they generally are under logs, in leaf litter, or in underground burrows created by other animals. They are usually near a vernal pool, which they migrate to once a…
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First Black Ratsnake Of Spring
March 20, 2026 Today, the first day of astronomical spring and what shows up? An Eastern Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis). Also known to me as, Squiggles. Not a specific Black Rat Snake, but any that I see automatically gets that name. Certainly not what I would have expected to see on this day. This…
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Still Around
March 19, 2026 A Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). They leave their winter home for their breeding grounds further north, in late March or early April. I did a blog post a couple days ago with a photo that I figured might be the last image of a Hermit Thrush for the season. Apparently not, but…
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Needle Ice
March 18, 2026 Early yesterday morning, and again this morning, just waiting to be discovered, Needle Ice, covering a large area beneath the trimmed stumps of Beautyberry. Those stumps just waiting for a signal to begin leafing out. Needle Ice happens when ground temperatures are above 32°F and air temperatures are below 32°F, capillary action…
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Green For St Patrick’s Day
March 17, 2026 Last month loads of bright yellow flowers were telling me they are winter hardy plants that bloom their hearts out. Now today, their leaves are looking up to gather energy from the sun for photosynthesis. Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) native to Europe and Asia Minor, growing from a bulb, blooming at about…
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A Calm Moment In A Turbulent Day
March 16, 2026 Another day of strange weather. I captured this picture of a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) during a calm moment, no rain, no wind, no tornadoes, thank goodness. She looks stunning in her subtle shades. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
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Hermit Thrush About to Migrate
March 15, 2026 One of my winter residents, a Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), striking a pose for me on a post. You can’t see its tail and back color. A warm reddish-brown set against its olive-brown back. Two different colors. A color placement that allows for comparing it with two other similar Thrushes, Swainson’s and…
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Ready To Go In The Oven
March 14, 2026 Happy Pi Day. Actually not PIE DAY, but I’ll take this as a hint to get a pie created. This one, made from blueberries that grow here, a blueberry pie that is all set to go into the oven. 425° for 15 minutes, and 375° for 45 minutes longer and it will…