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Up In The Park
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) Trekking in Shenandoah National Park today. A short distance from my cabin’s front door. A location that calls to me, no matter the season. Perhaps the most spectacular, autumn. Breathtaking colors. All the warm colors that exist were on display among the trees. _______________________ If you would like to receive my…
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An Excursion
Up over the mountains into the Valley. A yearly excursion to the pumpkin patch. This year, one of the good ones. So many pumpkins. So many different sizes. So many different colors. So many different patterns. So difficult to choose. But mission accomplished. Now to get on with the carving. _______________________ If you would like…
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Pincushion Moss
Pincushion Moss (Leucobryum glaucum) provides a soft landing spot for a leaf of Red Maple (Acer rubrum). This moss can be found in many spots around the globe. In North America it’s found in the eastern and northern US and further north into Canada. In Europe it’s found in the United Kingdom and Ireland to…
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Subtle Autumn Colors With Pawpaws
We think of this time of year as synonymous with rich warm colors. Pawpaw trees (Asimina triloba) listen to a different drummer though. This picture above was taken yesterday. Summer’s emerald green fading to subtle shades of yellow. This image will be what I’ll be seeing at this same colony of Pawpaws in a couple…
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An Eastern Phoebe Strikes A Pose
Two days ago, as I was busy snapping pictures of a Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), there was an Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) sitting on a post appearing to be ready for a portrait shot as well. I got enough images of the Winter Wren that I was quite sure at a least one of them…
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Coyote!
Years ago in Tucson, Arizona, I saw my first Coyote (Canis latrans). One would think a logical place to see one. Historically Coyotes have been found in prairies and desert areas of Mexico and central North America. But now they can be found in 49 of the United States with the exception of Hawaii, thanks…
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Tiny Puff Of Feathers
A winter resident that I seldom get to see. This morning though, as I was about to do the breakfast dishes I spied it taking a splish-splash in the birdbath. A tiny puff of feathers, Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis), the smallest wren in North America. And know how chattery the Carolina Wren is? The Winter…
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An Early Red
The leaves here on the mountain are setting their sights on winter. They’re slowly turning from their many shades of green to warmer colors – yellow, orange, red, purple. Giving way to green chlorophyll pigments breaking down which allows other pigments to show through. This tree is one of the first to show color in…
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Autumn With Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), in autumn, creates beautiful patches of scarlet in the woods. Native to eastern and central North America. And in autumn along with those scarlet leaves you’ll find its deep blue berries (drupes) which support oodles of species of birds through the winter. Those that might want to bring Virginia Creeper into…