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Pitch Pine Cones And Needles
These are the cones and needles of Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida). A small to medium sized tree. The needles are 3 to 5 inches long and quite stiff and sharp. They are in bundles, or fascicles, of 3. The cones are nicely round with sharp points at the end of each scale. The tree is…
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American Beech And Its Marcescent Leaves
An American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) showing off its marcescent leaves. These Beech trees create patches through the woods of pale brown areas of leaves hanging on, waiting for spring to fall to the ground. Marcescence occurs when deciduous trees, mainly Beech or Oak trees, let their leaves wither in the late fall but they fail…
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The Big Mushroom Is Still There
Back in October I did a post about a Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea). Today while out roaming about I came upon that same Puffball. Very old, looking like a ball broken open and filled with powdered cocoa. I had wondered what happened to it. Apparently not much. Just a great change in its color. From…
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Raindrops On Rosehips
Welcome rain. The U.S. Drought Monitor map shows a good portion of Virginia still in an abnormally dry condition. Here at my cabin for the past couple days I’ve gotten a bit more than a half inch of rain each day. I’m pleased to see the rain come down. Raindrops on rosehips of Multiflora Rose…
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A Few Days Ago, Sunrise
Nearly a week ago. The first morning of winter, as the sun was coming up painting a glow of warm coloring across the landscape. Captured by Yucca Filmentosa (Yucca filamentosa). Welcome winter. I love having you here. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
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Not A Red Fox But A Gray Fox
Two Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) that have stopped by to get some of the sunflower seeds I put out. The seeds are usually for the birds but I love to see the foxes too, so it’s okay. Slightly smaller than the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). The Gray Fox measures about 31 to 44 inches in…
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An Eastern White Pine Cone
The cone of an Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), which usually grows to between 6 and 8 inches. The seeds from the cone are eaten by nuthatches, chickadees, grosbeaks, blue jays, juncos, woodpeckers, brown thrashers as well as black bears, rabbits, and squirrels. The needles of the Eastern White Pine grow in bundles (fascicles) of…
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Best Wishes Coming Your Way
Wishing you and yours a very merry day! _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
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Happy Christmas Merry New Year
My road coming up the mountain, in marvelous shape. This during the winter of 2009 – 2010. My very favorite winter. Why? Because 72 inches of snow fell on my cabin during that winter. Pure bliss! _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!