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More Eastern Phoebes
That bobbing of the tail and saying its name makes identification of the Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) mighty easy. Many bird songs baffle me, but this one is easy. Just think “fee-bee” (Phoebe) and you’ve got it. I was delighted as I was refreshing my memory about what Phoebes eat to see that they not…
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Tulip Poplar
The first tree I remember getting to know. Growing right next to our patio. As a little one I’d listen for its “heartbeat” and give it “injections” though now I’m sure it was totally healthy. Back then I had the title of “Tree Doctor” and would take care of it. A Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera).…
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Rue Anemone
Here in the Blue Ridge depending on your elevation you’ll be seeing Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) beginning to bloom around the middle of April. This spring ephemeral is native to deciduous woodlands of eastern North America. So small, you must really look for them along the trail. They grow to only four to eight inches…
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Mourning Dove
Visitors to my feeders every now and then. Always arriving in pairs. The Mourning Dove (Zenáida macroúra). For a while my granddaughter’s favorite bird, I think in part because of the soft coo-oo that the male makes. Good for her that she knows a bird call at the age of 6. I doubt I knew…
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Morels
So many mushrooms up here in the mountains. So many different sizes from diminutive to quite substantial. So many different colors from the expected tan or white, to bright red, turquoise, lavender and periwinkle blue. Some that are sought after because of their legendary tastiness to some that can bring on serious illness or even…
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Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). It’s no secret that I am totally crazy about winter. The black and white, pen and ink landscape takes me back to my childhood. Add a male Northern Cardinal to that beautiful landscape and you’ve got the perfect image. The female Cardinal has her own beauty. Soft tawny brown with subtle…
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Virginia Bluebells
An ephemeral spring plant native to eastern North America. Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica). I’m watching. I’m waiting. I just checked. No sign of them yet. BUT very soon. Surely in less than two weeks I’ll be seeing leaves of purply-green emerging from the soil. Reaching for the sun. These plants enjoy being in a shady…
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Winter Aconite
The same day that I first heard the raucous clacking of wood frogs coming from the pond, my Winter Aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) were beginning to bloom. Just hours before meteorological spring was about to begin. These small screaming yellow beauties were a gift from a dear friend years ago. Since then they have won my…
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First Wood Frogs of Spring
As the evening was coming to a close last night I was so pleased to hear a sound I’ve grown fond of. “Clack, clack, clack!” An odd sound not heard since LAST spring. Today my pond has been REALLY active. The sound of Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). They’ve left their winter hibernating spots. Perhaps under…
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Pie Crust
Pies make the world go round. And one basic thing is common in nearly all pies. The crust. Many different recipes. Not for ME. I use one recipe that I got from my Mom and I stick with it. No sense in tangling with perfection. Here’s the recipe that I use without fail. Memorized since…