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.
Blogs
Field Report- September 2, 2024
What’s been happening on the trail for the last couple of weeks? Have you noticed all the different yellow, daisy-like flowers? I wrote a blog about them here. I have seen kidneyleaf rosinweed, purpledisc sunflowers and small-headed sunflowers blooming on the trails in the last couple of weeks. The midwestern tickseed-sunflowers, swamp sunflowers, rough sunflowers,… Continue reading Field Report- September 2, 2024
What Flowers Will Bloom in September?
We’re heading into the end of the growing season. Many flowers are still in bloom, but will any new flowers begin to bloom in September? The asters will really start to bloom this month. Look for the many kinds of white, yellow (golden) and purple asters along the trails. Swamp sunflowers officially start blooming in… Continue reading What Flowers Will Bloom in September?
Quiet Nature- August 26, 2024
Good morning! This young rabbit has been hanging out in my back yard all summer.
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census- August 23-24, 2024
Have you ever participated in a citizen science program? Now is your chance! This Friday and Saturday, August 23-24, 2024, is the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Who is this for? Any resident of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia or Florida. This is a great program for kids! What is the census? The University of Georgia… Continue reading The Great Southeast Pollinator Census- August 23-24, 2024
Passion Flower
Have you ever seen a passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)? I’ve seen them planted in gardens over the years, but for the first time this week, I saw one growing in the wild! Take a walk down the Crabtree Creek Greenway if you’d like to check them out.
Field Report- August 16, 2024
What’s been happening on the trails during the first half of August? You might have noticed that the trails have been maintained recently. What I mean is, the lawn mowers have come through and cut a few feet on either side of the trail. I get a little discouraged when I finally see flowers starting… Continue reading Field Report- August 16, 2024
A Closer Look at Ragweed
As I am patiently waiting for summer’s grand finale of asters, goldenrods and tickseed-sunflowers, I can’t help but notice the large patches of ragweed growing alongside them. Yes, ragweed season is almost here. Have you ever looked at ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)? Many people think the showy yellow flowers filling the roadsides in the late summer… Continue reading A Closer Look at Ragweed
Cranefly Orchids
Ever since I saw these leaves with purple bottoms years ago, I have been on the hunt to see cranefly orchid flowers in person! You’ll see their leaves in the woods in the winter or early spring. They are eye catching when they are upside down, displaying their purple color. But by the time summer… Continue reading Cranefly Orchids
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?