I came across this patch of buttercups at the North Carolina Museum of Art today. Some of the flowers have white petals, or white patches on the petals. I’m not sure what caused this. It could be age, disease, or just the environment. Have you ever seen a buttercup like this? Here’s a closer look:
Author: Jaclyn
this is in archive.phpthe description is : *** ***
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?
Cary Environmental Symposium- September 2025
The Cary Environmental Symposium is starting today! From September 3 to September 25, there will be lectures and discussions about composting and reducing waste, exploring the tree canopy, Homegrown National Park, and healing the land and people. There is also a workshop on creating a habitat garden. Find more information, register, and purchase tickets on… Continue reading Cary Environmental Symposium- September 2025
Cherry Blossoms
The cherry blossoms are here! Star magnolias are also blooming this week.
Cherry or Plum?
You can’t help but notice the beautiful flowering trees this time of year. I stopped to take some pictures of the plum blossoms this week and had a number of people comment on the beautiful cherry blossoms I was photographing. Wait a minute. Was I looking at a plum tree or a cherry tree? I’m… Continue reading Cherry or Plum?
Cicada Brood XIX is Happening Now
The periodical cicadas are here! Brood XIX is scheduled to emerge from the ground this summer. This brood has a 13 year life cycle (other broods have a 17 year life cycle). Above ground, they live for 3 to 4 weeks, just long enough to find a mate and lay their eggs. When the eggs… Continue reading Cicada Brood XIX is Happening Now
Cicada Brood XIX Molting
I went for a walk around 9am today. I headed for the Shiloh greenway and was welcomed by the sound of the periodical cicadas! I posted about my first sighting earlier this week. I headed for the older trees to look for cicadas. I found a bunch of discarded shells on the trees, leaves and… Continue reading Cicada Brood XIX Molting
Clearwing Moths
Have you ever seen any clearwing moths? There are two very common clearwing moths in North Carolina: the hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) and the snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis). I was fooled the first time I saw each of these moths. The hummingbird clearwing looks like a small hummingbird. From the back, it is green on… Continue reading Clearwing Moths
Cloudless Sulphur Butterflies
Have you seen pale yellow butterflies flying around the flowers this summer? Some of them could be cloudless sulphur butterflies (Phoebis sennae). When you are out walking in late summer, pay special attention to the common partridge pea plants. They are a host plant for cloudless sulphur caterpillars.
Consider Native Plants for Your Garden This Year
Are you getting ready to plant your garden? The average last spring freeze date for the Triangle area is April 8. The NC State Extension has data for the first and last frost dates for each county in North Carolina on their website here. When choosing plants for your garden, you might consider the effect… Continue reading Consider Native Plants for Your Garden This Year