-
Strappy Blooms
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), is in bloom right now. Providing nectar and pollen to fruit flies, blow flies, wasps, bees, and beetles this late in the year when there is very little otherwise available to them. The flowers make me think of yellow shredded coconut. Each blossom is made up of 4 petals and 4…
-
White Oak
While I was out this morning, the sun hitting these rich red leaves caught my eye. They’re White Oak (Quercus alba). A tree that is native to eastern and central North America. A tree that grows to 50-80 feet occasionally to 100 feet. And a diameter of 36-48 inches. An incredible lifespan of 350-500 years.…
-
Clematis Virginiana
Clematis virginiana So many marvelous things to see up in The Park yesterday, including large puffs of white, scattered here and there. The seeds of Clematis virginiana. In this picture I’ve really zeroed in on the seeds these puffs contain, making the color seem more pale orange-tan than the white I was seeing from a…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…