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Floral Witnesses Of History
There is a very old cabin a short walk from the cabin where I live. It’s believed that it was last occupied in the 1950s. In going back through deeds, I can trace the cabin to 1905 but it is possible that it is older than that. The paper trail ends leaving no more hints.…
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Butterbutt
More formally known as a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). A black, white and gray bird accented with that lovely bright buttery color. A bird that shows up at my birdbath occasionally during the winter. I’m patiently waiting, hoping one will make an appearance. Often it is mid-February when I’m able to capture a photograph. This…
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One Crazy Winter
Ice on a vernal pool. February 13, 2018. Perhaps a normal winter. What IS normal these days? February 10, 2023. I miss seeing ice. I won’t even mention my feelings about snow. You probably already know. I miss going out for a walk in the woods and not thinking about spraying myself with an insect…
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The Pointer
A Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) that looks as if it is posing for an artist. About to become a museum piece on canvas. This Junco, the one that I am used to seeing, is one of 14 or 15 subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco. Each having the same basic size and shape but colors that…
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Spiderwort
Today a few leaves of Spiderwort (Tradescantia) were spotted emerging from the soil. It’s native to eastern North America. Come May, blooms will be gracing the garden, to the delight of bees. _____________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts, sign up here!
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Feather Care
A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) yesterday at the birdbath. Feather care. Keeping those feathers clean is essential for health. Clean those feather little bird. Keep those feather free of dirt, parasites, and bacteria. Keep those feathers in tiptop shape. The birdbath next to the garden here at the cabin is a busy place even during the…
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Blue Quartz
A good bit of time yesterday was spent roaming a lovely spot in western Albemarle County, Virginia. Me and my camera, spotting new to me Lichens and Mosses. On a meandering trail to the Mechums River. I was pleased to find Groundcedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum) and Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) along the way but I wasn’t…
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Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). That’s quite the scientific name to remember. Both the male and female Red-headed Woodpeckers look exactly the same. The juvenile has a gray head rather than the red head that his parents have. I’m delighted to finally get a photograph of this woodpecker. Now I’m going to concentrate on getting a…
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Occasional Winter Resident
Little, friendly creature. Doesn’t come to the feeders, but loves the birdbath. An irruptive species that only migrates this way when food supplies dictate. Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis). During the summer the Red-breasted Nuthatch is found in the northern parts of Canada, where like woodpeckers, a nesting pair will excavate a hole in a favorite…