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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…
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Note To Self
A note to me: next year, plant more Sunflowers. You need to see more butterflies. I’m hoping I’ll get the message, and act on it. The top photo: Monarch at Sunflower (Helianthus annuus). And this: A Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) visiting a Tithonia (Tithonia rotundifolia). ________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily…
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Leaf Cutting Bee
Out, taking in all the beauty of what was once summer, becoming autumn. Some warm colors but still mostly greens. Pale soft lavender-blue catches my eye. Puffs of Blue Wood Asters (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) reaching out to the sunlight. Snapping photos with every step. And there in one of the pictures a surprise. I didn’t even…
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Wreath Goldenrod
A favorite of mine, Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia), which I came upon while my camera and I were out this morning. There are about 75 species of Goldenrod (Solidago) native to the United States and over 40 species that are native to Virginia. Like many other plants in your garden you should leave the seed…
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Hints Of A Bear
The remains of Hurricane Helene came through with her wind and rain, leaving many branches and some trees down on the mountain. Nothing serious thank goodness and how nice to have neighbors that travel with a chain saw in their truck. Many of those branches and trees were taken care of before it was even…