A Late Winter Walk at the North Carolina Botanical Garden

We took a walk through the North Carolina Botanical Garden this weekend. Although it is far from the peak spring bloom, there was plenty to see on this late winter afternoon. Little Sweet Betsy trillium, dimpled trout lily and bloodroot were putting on quite a show. Sharp-lobed and round-lobed hepatica were beginning to bloom. Rue… Continue reading A Late Winter Walk at the North Carolina Botanical Garden

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A Little Heartache on the Shiloh Greenway

Maybe I’m selfish, but I just hate to see the trails like this. I’m thinking of all the animals that will need to find a new home. I’m thinking of the plants that are being crushed under the logs and trucks. I’m wondering which plants will grow, and which plants will not come back now… Continue reading A Little Heartache on the Shiloh Greenway

A Little Visitor

We had a little visitor in the yard this week. It’s not every day you get to see a mouse, let alone have one stay still long enough to photograph it! (These pictures were taken through a window.) This is probably a house mouse (Mus musculus).

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A Look Back at 2024

I thought it would be fun to share some statistics from my nature walks this year: I hope you enjoyed coming along on this journey with me! I’m looking forward to many new adventures in 2025. Happy New Year!

A New Wood Sorrel

Just last week I wrote a blog about stopping on my daily walk to look around and really notice what was there. A few days later, I happened to stop after walking only for a minute beyond my house. I was admiring the wood sorrel along the side of the road. It was early in… Continue reading A New Wood Sorrel

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A Resting Hummingbird

Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) don’t usually sit still for very long. It was a special treat to watch this one today. I snapped a few quick pictures when I first spotted it, thinking that it would be gone in a flash. It stayed on the branch long enough for me to adjust my angle for better… Continue reading A Resting Hummingbird

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A Second Bloom in Autumn

Some spring flowers have a second bloom in autumn. This week, I found Carolina jessamine and green and gold blooming at Church Street Park. What a nice surprise!

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A Second Species of Ragweed

Did you know that there are TWO different ragweed plants? I found a giant ragweed plant (Ambrosia trifida var. trifida) this year. It happened to be growing right next to common or annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Giant ragweed can grow up to 12 feet tall. The oval leaves are 3-12 inches long. And in case… Continue reading A Second Species of Ragweed

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A Smile for Your Monday

I spotted my first ditch-daisy (midwestern tickseed-sunflower) of the season today. They always make me smile. Happy Monday!

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