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One Of The Ferns
A fern that emerges in early spring, Rattlesnake Fern (Botrypus virginianus). A deciduous perennial that is made up of a lone, triangle shaped sterile leaf. The leaf, being triangular, gives the impression of being three separate leaves. On some of the Rattlesnake Ferns one more leaf is produced in late spring, a fertile leaf, growing…
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Yellow
Looking through my photographs just now. In the file of yellow images, I came upon this one, taken May 12, 2020. A still mottled, male Goldfinch (Spinus tristis). He’s not totally grown in his complete breeding attire. But soon to be gorgeous in his yellow and black feathers. He’s perched on a seedhead of Siberian…
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Wild Strawberries Soon
Wild Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) blooming all over today. Beautiful flowers with five, snow white petals, and bright yellow, pollen laden anthers. Soon to become strawberries with a most remarkable flavor. The size of the fruit though, at just half an inch wide and half an inch long, makes harvesting for anything serious, to be much…
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Downy Yellow Violet
When I first came upon yellow violets, long ago when I first started roaming the woods up here on my mountain, it was such a surprise. Aren’t violets only purple, or purple and white, or blue. These are Downy Yellow Violets (Viola pubescens). Not unusual at all. It was just a learning experience for me,…
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Earth Day 2023
Today, Earth Day 2023. Today and everyday, do what you can to help keep this planet, Earth, hospitable for its inhabitants. To see last year’s Earth Day 2022, go to brendaclem.com/earth-day-2022/ where you’ll see 12 birds that just like we humans, depend on this planet. _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog…
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Philadelphia Fleabane
Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), is blooming all along the forest edges up here right now. It’s native to North America and found in all the states including Alaska and Hawaii, and in Canada. The name fleabane comes from the misconception that it will repel pests. It is a flower that is quite attractive to pollinators.…
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Wild Geranium Time Of Year
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum), a charming native, herbaceous perennial plant blooming all around. It’s along the trails up here, along the edges of the dirt road going up the mountain, and in my gardens where it is welcome. A soft magenta flower that grows from a rhizome, the plant growing to 1 to 2 feet…
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A Mimic
The Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) is a bird that resides up here during the summer, but one that I seldom see. It enjoys eating insects that it finds in leaf litter under dense, low growing shrubs. It will also eat fruits and seeds. Due the presence of Black Bears (Ursus americanus), I normally don’t have…
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Roadrunner
Another visit to Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, Three Rivers, New Mexico, and an opportunity to get many images of one of my very favorite birds. The Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), state bird of New Mexico. All these photos are the same bird, though with slightly different color ways. Its feathers are iridescent and vary depending…
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A Traveler
He showed up at lunch today. Gulping down the syrup as if this male had traveled long distances, which he certainly has. The very first of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) to arrive at my feeders. Now dinner has come and gone. There was a female traveler who came to the feeder while we were…