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Song Sparrow Revisited
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia). A sparrow that is here in central Virginia all year long. Mainly a ground feeder, eating insects spring, summer and autumn. Dining on seeds and various fruits as the weather turns cold. The Song Sparrow is one of the most variable songbirds, with as many as 30 different phases of this…
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Blooms in the Snow
Hellebores. Native to southern and central Europe, where they’re often found growing in the mountains in stony clay soils. It’s no wonder they seem so at home here in my gardens. Though not a native, I must say they are well behaved and know just where their bounds are. They welcome snow in late January…
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Here for the Winter
Today is a delightful day. Not only snow falling several hours this morning that has continued into this afternoon which now coincides with what the weather folks are saying, “Snow this afternoon.” But also a diminutive bird that I only see in the winter, and for the most part only at the birdbath, has made…
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Look But Don’t Touch!
Many caterpillars aren’t to safe to pick up. If you don’t know what the species is that you’re admiring, proceed with caution. These are four caterpillars that can cause a very itchy rash if you pick them up. To be safe, look but don’t touch. This one is a Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae).…
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Trumpet Honeysuckle
Ice covered berries of NATIVE honeysuckle. Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). The scarlet berries bring Quail, Purple Finches, Goldfinches, Hermit Thrushes, American Robins, and surely more birds, to the vines which are native to the southeastern United States. Spring Azure butterflies and Snowberry Clearwing moths use the Trumpet Honeysuckle as their host plant. And if you’re…
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Ice
This past December fooled me. It was so warm. Not at all the way December is supposed to be in the Blue Ridge Mountains or in the Mid-Atlantic states. The whole month was that way. The warmth had me worried about how the rest of the winter would be. But January came through for me.…
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Not Every Winter
It’s not every winter I see them. But quite the treat to see when they do show up. The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). Internet sites say you can attract them with sunflower seed, raisins, suet, and peanut butter. Where I see them most often though, not at the feeders but at the birdbath. I’ve got my…
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They Laugh at Winter
It’s been a mighty cold January. Last night’s low was an invigorating 6°. And yet here they come. Leaves emerging from the soil and soon there will be buds. Daffodils (Narcissus) are intrepid plants native to southern Europe and North Africa concentrated mainly in the western Mediterranean area. In the genus Narcissus there are over 50…
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Midwinter Blooms
Many months of new discoveries. Training to become a master naturalist. February 2010. Blandy Aboretum of Virginia. Midwinter, and my first introduction to Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis). Then a precious friend shared some of her Winter Aconite with me. All these years later they still emerge, sometimes through the snow, in early February. Like rays…
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Fluffed Against the Cold
Extra feathers and fluffing work quite well against the cold of winter. Here a Mourning Dove (Zenáida macroúra) and a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) compare notes on keeping warm during the crispness of January.