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Yarrow
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). The temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe and North America claim Yarrow as a native herbaceous perennial flowering plant. It’s blooming right now in this area, looking a bit like Queen Anne’s Lace because of the large clusters of flowers atop the plant’s stems. But those clusters of flowers…
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Wineberry
Such a conflict. They are an exotic invasive, aggressively growing where native plants would otherwise grow. Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius). Wineberry is native to eastern Asia and was introduced to North America in the 1890s as a potential breeding stock for raspberries. On the other hand, these berries are delicious. They are an ingredient for a wonderful sherbet. Much anticipated…
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Gaillardia
Here Gaillardias are growing wild in New Mexico, at Bandelier National Monument. A park I’ve visited many times. And hope to visit many more times. And more Gaillardias growing wild at Bandelier National Monument. It seems they’re ubiquitous! It amuses me. My Dad had a thing about digging up Dandelions in his lawn. He was…
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Red Currants
I put in two bushes of Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) last year that I purchased at the Greene Farmer’s Market from Saint Isadore Homestead & Permaculture. This year they both bloomed and now they have produced the most beautiful fruit. Little berries of the richest ruby red. I put the bushes in with no plans…
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Brown Thrasher
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum). Quite the handsome bird. It makes me think of a Roadrunner with its very long tail and long curved bill. They’re here during their breeding season but are year round in the deeper Southeast. The feeders here at my cabin don’t tempt them, not even the suet, but they love my…
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Giant Swallowtail
Having a wingspan up to seven inches, this butterfly certainly earns the name Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). It also holds the title of largest butterfly in North America. The larval host plants of Giant Swallowtails consist of many trees in the citrus family including, here in Virginia, the Common Hop Tree (Ptelea trifoliata). These caterpillars…
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So Many Common Box Turtles
Four days ago GrandCamper spotted a female Common Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) digging a hole in the soil to lay her eggs. We were much too excited and created way too much commotion. Next thing we knew she had vanished without laying her eggs. We learned our lesson. In the photo above GrandCamper is adding…
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Common Snapping Turtle
Much to my surprise it just showed up one day on a path behind my cabin. A tiny Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). They have a reputation as having a combative disposition but this creature was so little I could hardly think of it in those terms. A short distance from where I first saw…
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Silverleaf Mountain Mint
An attractive mint that grows here on my mountain, Silverleaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum). The flowers attract lots of beneficial pollinators like this Spicebush Swallowtail, and other butterflies, bees, wasps, and moths. The blooms, first appearing midsummer will last until late summer. The square stems, leaves and even the flowers have a silvery look. All…
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Baby Common Box Turtle
Yesterday GrandCamper and I were checking on the little pawpaw trees that I planted several days ago. We brought along a great big watering can. Such a big watering can that she could hardly pick it up! That big! After the watering was completed I happened to look around, and at our feet was a…