Have you seen the beaver dam at Bond Park? This is a stream at the south end of Bond Lake, where the Lake Trail and Oxxford Hunt Greenway intersect. It’s amazing what a couple of beavers can do!
Month: October 2025
Can You Identify This Flower?
Can you identify this tiny flower? I stumbled upon this little plant on the side of the trail. After taking a closer look, I figured out what it is. I’ll give you some hints: it is very common, and it is usually much bigger. It blooms during this time of year. I’ll leave the mystery… Continue reading Can You Identify This Flower?
Fall is Here
Can you feel it? Can you smell it? Can you see it? Fall is here!
Field Report- October 24, 2025
What’s happening on the trails at the end of October? The bright yellow blooms of goldenrod, ditch-daisies and sunflowers are fading away. The white of the small white asters and consumption weed are on full display. It seems like the purple asters were out for only week before they died back. The leaves on the… Continue reading Field Report- October 24, 2025
Goldenrod Identification
During the late summer and early fall, you can find goldenrod (Solidago sp.) everywhere. There are dozens of types of goldenrods that grow in the piedmont of North Carolina. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to find and properly identify as many species as I can. Unless otherwise noted, all of these plants can… Continue reading Goldenrod Identification
Great Golden Digger Wasp
It’s easy to find bees and wasps enjoying the goldenrods and asters these days. Don’t forget to look on the ground! Here, a great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) was busy excavating a hole for its nest. This wasp is not aggressive to humans.
Henbit With Flowers in October
I was surprised to see a henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) with flowers on the American Tobbacco Trail yesterday. Henbit flowers all year, but it is seen most often in the early spring.
Marbled Orb-Weaver
Here is a male marbled orb-weaver (Araneus marmoreus var. marmoreus) to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Quiet Nature- October 5, 2025
Enjoy some quiet nature today with this Common Buckeye butterfly (Junonia coenia).
Sleeping Bees
On these cool fall mornings, you might find a bee sleeping on a flower. Colder temperatures make it harder for bees to move around. In fact, the temperature has to be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for carpenter bees to be active. They find shelter and protection in the flowers until the temperature warms up. I… Continue reading Sleeping Bees