White-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) are a common sight in my backyard in the winter. They’re always hopping around the yard, kicking up leaves. At 8:30 one morning, I looked out the window and saw three of them. I stopped to observe them and realized they weren’t moving. I watched them for several minutes before I… Continue reading White-throated Sparrows
Blogs
Earthstar Mushrooms
Have you ever seen an earthstar mushroom (Geastrum)? They almost look like flowers. I found these on the American Tobacco Trail last week.
Field Report- December 2025 Summary
I didn’t write a field report during the month of December. It was a very quiet month, but when you look at it overall, there was plenty of action out on the trails. Here is a summary for the month. The winter birds have arrived, and the typical backyard birds are starting to come back… Continue reading Field Report- December 2025 Summary
What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? January 2026
What flowers will bloom in January? I’ve already seen dandelions (they bloom all year), henbit, and common chickweed. I’ve also seen bulbous buttercups continuously throughout the fall up until now. They don’t officially bloom until April. Bloodroot and sweet Betsy can best be found at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill if you’d… Continue reading What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? January 2026
Happy Holidays!
The tall goldenrod seedheads look like snowy Christmas trees to me. Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season.
Quiet Nature- December 21, 2025
Enjoy some quiet nature on this first day of winter with the feathery seeds of hemp dogbane.
Getting in the Christmas Spirit
While not traditional holiday flowers, the colors in this scene made me think of Christmas. This is trumpet creeper and Japanese honeysuckle on the Shiloh Greenway last June.
Banded Woollybear Weather Folklore
I saw a banded woollybear caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella) this week. Have you heard the folklore about their ability to predict the coming winter’s weather? Some people say that the wider the rusty band, the milder the winter will be. There’s a Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, NC every October. They have a caterpillar race,… Continue reading Banded Woollybear Weather Folklore
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Now that the tree branches are bare, it’s easier to see the birds. This is a male red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus). The red on the male’s head goes from the beak to the back of the neck. The crown of the female’s head is gray. These birds have some light red coloring on their bellies,… Continue reading Red-bellied Woodpecker
A Glowing Ember?
The setting sun hit this oak leaf just right, making it look like a glowing ember. Remember to take some time out of your busy day to enjoy the simple things.