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Fowler’s Toad
Toads like the vegetable garden that is adjacent to the pond here at the frog farm. Not a real frog farm. Just a place where the welcome mat is put out. A place to enjoy the frogs. This one a Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri). All toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads. What??…
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Ruby-throated Hummingbird Migration
Still coming through from points further north. Each one I see I tell to say, “Hello!” to my Mom or my sister. It depends on its plan. Will it be going through Louisiana or through Florida? Some cross the Gulf of Mexico, others go around it, and go south through Texas. Mom and my sister…
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And Now Autumn
Gone are the days of carefree summer. Oh but the things to come. Color. The color of Virginia Creeper with it’s crimson leaves. Brilliant color. All the leaves that had been cool greens now becoming warm colors. Rich colors become ubiquitous. Red Maples turning red or orange or yellow. Another Red Maple. This one scarlet…
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Marbled Orb Weaver
They seem to arrive every year at this time. Just when I’m thinking about the grand holiday. Halloween. It’s as if they know I want my porches decorated for the big day. Dressed in an appropriate outfit for the season. Bright yellow and black coveralls complimented with long striped stockings of orange, black and white.…
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Woodland Sunflower
Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus). An herbaceous perennial that often grows to 5 – 7 feet tall. It’s native to eastern and central North America and can be found along rocky trails and dry open sites. As this example, as it dances in the dappled sunlight shows, the leaves are opposite with a smooth to slightly toothed margin…
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Sugar Maple Trees
I spent a few days last week just north of Monterey, Highland County, Virginia. Pure heaven. This view is the backyard of the place where I stayed, and a grand old Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). So many Sugar Maples there in the mountains. Sugar Maples are native to eastern Canada and northeastern United States. And are…
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Yuccas Revisited
Years ago I took off on an adventure that I will never regret. I moved to New Mexico. During my time in that remarkable state I quickly got to know the Yucca, the state flower. There is also a species of Yucca that is the national flower of El Salvador, Yucca gigantea, commonly known as…
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Black Gum Tree
Tomorrow’s the first day of autumn. That’s got me thinking of what trees are going to be doing in the next several weeks. So many leaves. Leaves that will be turning the most exquisite warm colors of the color wheel. Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) is one that comes to mind. It’s a standout in its…
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Aromatic Asters
Aromatic Asters (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) are visited by bees, butterflies and skippers, seeking nectar and in the case of the bees, pollen. The caterpillars of moths and of Silvery Checkerspot Butterflies eat the foliage. This Crab Spider is hanging around hoping to catch some dinner, just waiting for the perfect insect to come along. I’ve got…
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American Persimmons
American Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana). They seem to be everywhere up here now. The fruit growing into a small orb with a soft green color. Dropping from their branches as they ripen. Those little fruits are tempting bears, if any bears are around here now. It’s something that bears really enjoy eating if one can tell…