It’s always a special treat when the deer come to visit. This one actually came out of the woods and very close to the house before retreating back to the cover of the trees.
Blogs
Winter Plant Mystery- January 15, 2026
During the winter, I like to look at the plants without their leaves and flowers, and try to identify them. This plant caught my eye. I saw a large clump of it on the side of the road while I was driving one day. I didn’t have time to stop, and wondered what it was.… Continue reading Winter Plant Mystery- January 15, 2026
Trolls at Dix Park
Have you been to Dix Park in Raleigh to see the trolls? These beautiful wooden sculptures by Thomas Dambo were installed in the fall of 2025. Some helpful tips if you plan to go: You can find more information about the trolls on the Dix Park website.
White-throated Sparrows
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
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.