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Hay Fever?
Got hay fever? It’s caused by the pollen of Ragweed (Ambrosia). There are 17 species of Ragweed in North America. The species Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) has opposite leaves that are up to 12 inches long and 8 inches across. The plant can grow to between 3 and 12 feet tall. Flowers are inconspicuous, growing…
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White Snakeroot
White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), is an herbaceous perennial that blooms from early autumn until frost. Native to the eastern United States and Canada. Its flowers are an important source of food at the end of the season for bees, moths, flies, and butterflies. White Snakeroot plants grow to be 2 to 4 feet tall. They prefer…
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A Sugar Maple Leaf
I recently spent a few days in Highland County, Virginia, where there are a multitude of Sugar Maple trees (Acer saccharum). They are ubiquitous in those mountains. Here at home, in the mountains of Greene County, they are not as common. At my altitude there are a few and further up they are a bit…
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Autumn In The Woods
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Leaves turning a brilliant red. Responding to cooler temperatures, shorter days, leaves stop making chlorophyll. Decreasing chlorophyll diminishes the green, which reveals the reds, oranges and yellows that are left in autumn leaves.
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Partridge Berry
Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens). A gorgeous evergreen trailing vine. Growing just two inches tall, with stems of up to twelve inches long. Though a vine, it doesn’t climb. Buds emerge as pairs. Each pair has ovaries that are fused at the base and will result in just one scarlet berry. Both flowers must be pollinated…
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Until Next Spring
Just a few now. Gone are the mobs. Gone are the battles. Gone are the tiny, silly clowns. Though I’m still seeing those that are migrating from the north. Only one or two descending upon the feeders at any given moment. I miss them already. I’ll see you guys in the spring. The feeders will…
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Eastern Calligrapher
The Aromatic Asters (Aster oblongifolius) in my garden are just beginning to show off their soft lavender blooms. Those few flowers have gotten the attention of an Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus geminatus). It’s a tiny creature, measuring just 1/4 inch long. Though it looks like a bee or a wasp, it is a fly. It doesn’t…
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Meteorological Autumn
It started just over a week ago, and some leaves are playing their part perfectly. Meteorological autumn has begun. Temperatures are cooling. Days, little by little, are getting shorter. Trees of the forest pick up on these signals. They know it’s time to get ready for the cold that will descend upon them. Prepare for…
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Woodpecker In Highland County
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). One of many birds, that I watched from the front porch of the house we stayed in during our visit to Highland County. The Northern Flicker, along with all other woodpeckers, is in the family Picidae. They have strong bills and most woodpeckers use their bills for drumming and hammering into…
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Orange And Red Brushstrokes
A stunning fungus with a hand painted look. Found near a trickling stream in Highland County, near Monterey, Virginia. Amanita jacksonii.