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Up Here
Down at the bottom of my place. Looking further down through the utility line right-of-way, to the low lands where things are growing more quickly. Growing at a faster rate because it is generally warmer. Up here the Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are at this stage. Just beginning to show a little color but not open.…
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Happy Astronomical Spring
I’ve been watching for the first signs of Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) making its spring appearance. And today, this is what I found. Perfect timing! In just a few days the plant will develop flowers and green leaves. You can see a leaf on the left which looks like a green butterfly. This “butterfly leaf” is…
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Winter Residents Still Around
White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis), are one of many birds that visit my feeders everyday. Arriving in late autumn, they spend lots of time here. I was wondering today how long they stay around. When do they migrate north for their breeding season? Seems they are around long enough to greet the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris)…
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Early Spring Butterfly
If I wasn’t paying attention, not to the season or the size of the butterfly I would think this might be a Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae). But this is a female Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea) which is smaller and only flies in the early spring. I see the Cabbage White as the weather warms…
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First Of The Season
Yesterday. Quite a surprise to see a Tiger Swallowtail this early. Normally my first sighting is at an apple tree in full bloom a month from now. This one was flitting from one yelllow Daffodil to another. So very glad I just happened to see this one now.
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Another Bluebird Day
Another day of watching Bluebirds. Not sure if they are the same couple making plans for their house or another couple looking for a nesting site. And to add to the mystery Chickadees were checking out the house as well. There is another Bluebird house on the other side of the cabin but it’s not…
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Pine Cones
A common pine tree around my cabin. Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) with its beautiful pine cones which take 2 years to mature. Its needles grow in bundles, or fascicles, of three. Twisting or straight with a length of 2.5 to 5 inches. A tree that grows to 30 to 50 feet in height with a width…
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Pi Day
Made in honor of π Day. A Blueberry Pie made from the berries that grew here at the cabin last summer, put in the freezer, and PRESTO! A pie decorated with daffodils to match the season. _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
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Looking For A House
At lunch today a pair of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) caught my attention as they checked out one of the bluebird houses I have here in the yard. Along with the house, they paid attention to what was being served up at the feeder (their favorite meal worms) and the bird bath (which is filled…
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My Little Insect Eater
The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) eats insects, and spiders, ticks, and millipedes. During the winter they may resort to small fruits and seeds. They’re solitary birds and will only hang around together for a tiny bit during breeding season. Introvert of the bird world. These Phoebes breed in wooded areas where manmade buildings are found.…