Luna Moths

Be on the lookout for beautiful Luna moths in late May and early June. Luna moths spend just one week as an adult butterfly. They typically fly at night. I’ve had luck seeing them in the morning on cloudy days. Luna moths have three broods in North Carolina, each 8-10 weeks apart. They can be… Continue reading Luna Moths

Lunar New Year

Happy Lunar New Year! The leafy cover of the fruit of smooth ground-cherry (Physalis angulata) reminds me of a paper lantern.

Morning Light

I’ve been working on capturing the early morning light with my camera. Technically, it is not an easy thing to do. This was taken about 30 minutes after sunrise, as the sunlight started to filter through the trees. The golden light was absolutely beautiful. To take a picture like this, you have to find the… Continue reading Morning Light

Mother Nature is Decorating for the Holidays

When I was looking at this sweetgum tree in November, it reminded me of a Christmas tree. The spherical fruits are dangling off the branches, hung like ornaments. The pine needles that fell from a nearby tree are scattered like tinsel. What do you think? Was Mother Nature decorating for the holidays?

Mushrooms

With all the rain we’ve had recently, it’s a great time to observe mushrooms! I saw this large mushroom on a hillside in the woods this weekend. Did you know that mushrooms are the fruit of the fungus growing under ground? Have you seen any interesting mushrooms lately?

National Bird Day

January 5, 2025 is National Bird Day. Take some time today to notice the birds outside. What are they doing? Are they looking for food? Are they singing? How many different kinds of birds do you see or hear? How many can you identify?

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National Invasive Species Awareness Week

February 26 – March 1, 2024 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week. You’ll likely see many invasive species as you explore nature. Invasive plants are non-native plants that have a negative effect on native plants and animals. The NC Invasive Plant Council and the North Carolina Native Plant Society have published a comprehensive list of… Continue reading National Invasive Species Awareness Week