An Emerging Redbud

February 3, 2025

One determined tiny Redbud (Cercis canadensis) trying its best to survive. Emerging from the leaf litter. Hanging out above the leaf of a Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana).

In looking for an answer as to why the leaf of this small seedling would be red and not green, I find an answer in the Las Cruces Sun News. The young leaves of trees contain anthocyanin pigments which we see as red. The anthocyanin has a protective role, helping with cold temperatures, drought and UV radiation.

Hoping you survive through the winter little one. You will add much beauty to our woods.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Two Cardinals

February 2, 2025

Two Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) in a Flowering Dogwood tree (Cornus florida) about two weeks ago, puffed up against the very cold temperatures. That day, and today, quite similar. High temperature for both days only creeping to the mid-thirties.

Cardinals are monogamous, staying together from the mating season through the winter. Some Cardinals though will find other mates after that time period. The rest, about eighty percent, stay together for their entire lives.

It is wonderful to see Cardinals during the winter. After seeing isolated pairs during the mating season, winter brings on a different scene with many gathering together to find food. I will easily see ten at a time when I put out hulled sunflower seeds.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Happenstance

February 1, 2025

Happenstance with commentary.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Berries That Are Loved By Birds

January 30, 2025

When I was little our backyard backed up to oodles of woods. I played in those woods many hours during the week. And of course there was lots of Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) too, though I managed to escape getting the horrible rash until I was an adult. I knew the plant well, as a little kid, but somehow it never dawned on me that it bloomed or got berries.

But of course the plant does bloom and those blooms turn to berries. Berries that are absolutely loved by birds. Now, my cabin is surrounded by woods and Poison Ivy is welcome in those woods because of those berry loving birds. I just walk through the woods with caution. As an adult I am extremely allergic to the urushiol oil that is in all parts of the plant.

The Poison Ivy is for the birds. I love that they enjoy those berries, and I’m smart. I know how to avoid the plant.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Northern Flicker Showing Off Its Yellow

January 29, 2025

A Northern Flicker (yellow shafted phase)(Colaptes auratus) proudly showing off his yellow. Sometimes I’m fortunate and get to see it, other times it is hard to tell why they are called yellow shafted. This a male. You can tell by the presence of that black mustache.

He’s sitting at a cluster of red, hairy fruits called drupes on a Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra). A fruit quite popular with Northern Flickers though they’re known for pounding on the ground to get ants, beetles and their larvae.

Fortunately for me, these Flickers are here year round.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Often At The Birdbath

January 28, 2025

A winter resident here. One that thoroughly enjoys the birdbaths. A Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). Winter or summer they often find their meals as they forage on the ground. Insects during the summer and berries during the winter. No interest in the seeds I put out.

But wonderful to see them so often at the birdbath.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Footprints On The Porch

January 27, 2025

Rush hour on the back porch. Footprints of many birds wandering, looking for seeds.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Not Snow But Gypsum Crystals

January 26, 2025

One of many favorite spots in New Mexico, White Sands.

Over many thousands of years many animals that live in this environment have evolved to match the white coloring of the sand dunes. Not necessarily seen during the day, they will often stay in their dens to avoid the heat of day leaving only their footprints to let us know that they are around.

Immediately to the west of White Sands are the San Andres Mountains, and west and slightly south is a place I called home many years ago, Las Cruces.

Special places in my heart.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Perhaps The White-breasted Nuthatch Is Becoming An Irruptive Species

January 25, 2025

Yesterday I posted about the White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) and its absence from my garden during these past many snowy and very cold days. I’ve been reading about them today, and it seems there is an interesting and, to me, a surprising explanation.

The White-breasted Nuthatch, which had been thought to be a non-migratory bird has been observed migrating from time to time in just the past couple years. An irruptive species will move out of their normal home territory when their usual foods don’t provide for their needs. Migrating just every now and then.

Now the White-breasted Nuthatch might be following in its relatives’ footsteps. The Red-breasted Nuthatch is considered to be an irruptive species