These are some of the flowers blooming right now at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
Author: Jaclyn
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A Late Spring Walk in the Woods
We took a walk through the woods along the Loblolly Trail at Umstead State Park. The deep woods, rocks and creeks provide a different habitat than the typical neighborhood trails along the woodland edges. We were excited to see so many new (to us) plants. Here are just a few examples: Take a walk in… Continue reading A Late Spring Walk in the Woods
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
A Little Frustration on the Trails
Earlier this spring, I found a new (to me) plant: woolly mullein (Verbascum thapsus ssp. thapsus). It started as a basal rosette of large, velvety leaves. I’ve been watching it closely as it has grown taller. Two weeks ago, it was starting to grow its flower stalk. I was looking forward to July, when I… Continue reading A Little Frustration on the Trails
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 Humor on a Rainy Day
I came across this scene at Church Street Park this morning. A mallard duck was voicing his opinion about something to the rabbit nearby. The rabbit was just casually eating some grass. I laughed as I recalled the Saturday morning cartoons from my childhood: Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck were always arguing about something, and… Continue reading A Little Humor on a Rainy Day
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).
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 Nature Comeback Story
Do you remember last year when the utility company came through and cut the tall trees along the trails to prevent them from falling on the power lines? It was hard for me to watch. I wrote a blog about it here. Today I saw a glimmer of hope. After the logs were cleared, the… Continue reading A Nature Comeback Story
A New Vocabulary Word
If you start reading about plants you’ll find yourself learning many new vocabulary words. Botanists have so many terms to describe different parts of plants and the environments they grow in. I came across a new word this week that really struck my attention. It perfectly describes most of my experience so far: ruderal. A… Continue reading A New Vocabulary Word