Blogs

Marbled Orb-Weaver

Here is a male marbled orb-weaver (Araneus marmoreus var. marmoreus) to get you in the Halloween spirit.

Goldenrod Identification

During the late summer and early fall, you can find goldenrod (Solidago sp.) everywhere. There are dozens of types of goldenrods that grow in the piedmont of North Carolina. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to find and properly identify as many species as I can. Unless otherwise noted, all of these plants can… Continue reading Goldenrod Identification

Field Report- October 24, 2025

What’s happening on the trails at the end of October? The bright yellow blooms of goldenrod, ditch-daisies and sunflowers are fading away. The white of the small white asters and consumption weed are on full display. It seems like the purple asters were out for only week before they died back. The leaves on the… Continue reading Field Report- October 24, 2025

Beaver Dam at Bond Park

Have you seen the beaver dam at Bond Park? This is a stream at the south end of Bond Lake, where the Lake Trail and Oxxford Hunt Greenway intersect. It’s amazing what a couple of beavers can do!

What Is This Shiny Mushroom?

Have you seen any interesting mushrooms lately? I found this one on the side of Town Hall Drive. I don’t think I’ve seen this type of mushroom before. This is Ganoderma sessile (it doesn’t have a common name). The reddish-brown middle was so shiny! I wonder if the mushroom was sticky when it first started… Continue reading What Is This Shiny Mushroom?

Sleeping Bees

On these cool fall mornings, you might find a bee sleeping on a flower. Colder temperatures make it harder for bees to move around. In fact, the temperature has to be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for carpenter bees to be active. They find shelter and protection in the flowers until the temperature warms up. I… Continue reading Sleeping Bees

Henbit With Flowers in October

I was surprised to see a henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) with flowers on the American Tobbacco Trail yesterday. Henbit flowers all year, but it is seen most often in the early spring.

Fall is Here

Can you feel it? Can you smell it? Can you see it? Fall is here!

Great Golden Digger Wasp

It’s easy to find bees and wasps enjoying the goldenrods and asters these days. Don’t forget to look on the ground! Here, a great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) was busy excavating a hole for its nest. This wasp is not aggressive to humans.