What is that swarm of bugs on that log? Termites. Have you ever seen them up close? This group was on the American Tobacco Trail. If you see something like this near your home, you might want to have it checked for damage.
Blogs
A New Wood Sorrel
Just last week I wrote a blog about stopping on my daily walk to look around and really notice what was there. A few days later, I happened to stop after walking only for a minute beyond my house. I was admiring the wood sorrel along the side of the road. It was early in… Continue reading A New Wood Sorrel
Field Report- April 14, 2026
What has been blooming on the trail for the first two weeks of April? Here’s a list of new flowers that I’ve seen recently: The butterflies and dragonflies are starting to come out. I saw my first monarch butterfly of the year last week. I’m starting to see more snakes on the trails, too. A… Continue reading Field Report- April 14, 2026
Devil’s Urn Mushrooms
When I’m out for a walk in a familiar place, I try to pick a spot to just stop and look. Look down, look up, look at eye level. I’ll spend a few minutes and really notice what’s there. These devil’s urn mushrooms (Urnula craterium) blend in with the leaf litter around this log. If… Continue reading Devil’s Urn Mushrooms
You Never Know What You’ll See In Your Own Backyard
Nature came to entertain us yesterday morning. We saw a large bird land in the woods behind our house, so naturally we tried to see what was going on. Who came to visit us? It was a turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)! At first it just sat on the ground. Maybe it was resting. After a… Continue reading You Never Know What You’ll See In Your Own Backyard
Young Turtles in the Spring
It’s always a joy to see the baby animals in the spring. We had the honor to watch this young turtle sun itself on a stick for a moment before it jumped into the water. Turtles usually hatch in the late summer or fall and overwinter in their nest. As the weather warms in the… Continue reading Young Turtles in the Spring
Dewberry or Blackberry?
This time of year, there are two blackberry-like plants in bloom: blackberries (Rubus pensilvanicus) and southern dewberries (Rubus trivialis). Do you know how to tell the difference between them? In most years, southern dewberries bloom slightly earlier than blackberries. This year, however, I am seeing several early blackberries. You can’t always tell the difference by… Continue reading Dewberry or Blackberry?
WRAL Azalea Garden in Full Bloom
If you love azaleas, now is the perfect time to visit the WRAL Azalea Garden in Raleigh. I was there on March 30, and I would say the azaleas were at 75% of their peak bloom. I think the next two weeks would be an ideal time to visit.
Field Report- March 31, 2026
Isn’t it amazing how much can change in just a few weeks? Here is a partial list of plants that are now in bloom in the last half of March: The wooden bridge portion of the Hatcher Creek Greenway is filled with spring beauties and rain lilies right now. You can see jack-in-the-pulpits and may-apples… Continue reading Field Report- March 31, 2026
What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? April 2026
What flowers are you looking forward to seeing this April? Some of my favorites are Venus’s looking glass, the fleabanes, ox-eye daisies, fringe trees and blue eyed grass. Don’t forget to check the April Flower page to see all of the flowers blooming this month.