Enjoy some quiet nature today with the golden glow from Common Little Bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium).
Blogs
Field Report- February 17, 2025
The bluets started to come out last week! It took ten days from when I first noticed a bluet flower bud to when that bud opened. I’m sure the bud was there for a few days before I saw it. So, I think it takes about two weeks from bud to bloom. There are many… Continue reading Field Report- February 17, 2025
Great Backyard Bird Count 2025
Do you like to participate in citizen science programs? There’s a great opportunity happening this weekend. Join the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 14-17, 2025. This is a global project! In 2024, over 600,000 people participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Your count will help scientists gather data about bird populations before they… Continue reading Great Backyard Bird Count 2025
What’s That? February 10, 2025
What’s that? Who made those methodical carvings in the bark of a consumption weed bush? These are one type of hole made by a yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). The bird will lick sap from these shallow holes. Yellow-bellied sapsuckers also make neat rows of round, deep holes to find some sap. You might hear the… Continue reading What’s That? February 10, 2025
Field Report- February 5, 2025
What is happening on the trails during this first week of February? The late winter bloomers have restarted their flowering as the temperatures have gotten back to normal. A few new flowers have opened this week. You can see blue field-madder, leatherleaf mahonia, and shepherd’s purse out on the trails now. There are some bluet… Continue reading Field Report- February 5, 2025
What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? February 2025
The temperature this past January was much colder than normal. Did you notice that the flowers that were out suddenly closed up during the cold snap? The henbit, chickweed, and bird’s eye speedwell came back as soon as the temperature warmed to near 50 degrees Fahrenheit. As we head into February, the temperatures are now… Continue reading What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? February 2025
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.
What’s That? January 26, 2025
Today, I noticed these seed pods wrapped around a tree branch. What plant are they from? They are the fruit from wild yam (Dioscorea villosa). Here is a closer look. I’ll go back in the spring to see if I can get a picture of the leaves and flowers. Have you seen wild yam?
American Beech Trees Provide Winter Beauty
Did you know that American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) trees hang on to their golden brown leaves in the winter? It is thought that the leaves protect the new bud growth from hungry deer.
What’s That? January 16, 2025
I recently took a walk in Umstead Park and noticed this tree. What’s that black thing up there? As I got closer to the tree, I noticed that there was more black stuff on the other side. Once I was next to the tree, I could see that there was some liquid oozing from the… Continue reading What’s That? January 16, 2025