Have you ever been to the WRAL Azalea Gardens in Raleigh? I’ve only been in the spring to see the azaleas, but I knew they had plants that bloomed at different times of the year. I was in the area a few weeks ago and decided to explore the garden again. (This was before our… Continue reading Winter Flowers in the WRAL Azalea Gardens
Blogs
What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? February 2026
Winter has decided to assert its presence this year. There are several flowers that start to bloom in February, but with below normal temperatures and snow on the way, it will take some extra time before we see them. During February you can expect to see: I’m looking forward to seeing many of these flowers… Continue reading What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? February 2026
Quiet Nature- January 28, 2026
Enjoy some quiet nature today with this bushy beard lichen (Usnea strigosa).
Tree Identification in Winter
Have you ever tried to identify trees just by their bark in the winter? It isn’t very easy to do. I’ve been challenging myself this winter to see how many trees I can learn. Take a look at some of the amazing variety you can see. Next time you take a walk, look at the… Continue reading Tree Identification in Winter
Backyard Visitor
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.
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