Flowering dogwood trees are a common sight in April. The large white flowers really stand out along woodland edges. But did you know that those white petals are not flowers? The white part of the dogwood blossom is a flower bract. They are special leaves that protect the flower. Take a closer look at the… Continue reading A Closer Look at Flowering Dogwood
Blogs
What’s That? April 15, 2025
What’s that? This black bug with orange patches, a line of white spots, and white spikes on its back is the larva of an Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis). Asian lady beetles look similar to our native lady bugs (Coccinella septempunctata). Asian lady beetles usually have larger patches of white on their head, the number… Continue reading What’s That? April 15, 2025
Crossvine
What a stunning display of crossvine! This native vine usually grows up high in the trees where it can get a lot of sunlight, but this one is at eye level. You can find it on the Hatcher Creek Greenway today.
Field Report- April 7, 2025
My field report is: Get outside and see what’s happening! Every time I go out for a walk, I can only take a few steps before I see a new plant in bloom! Things are changing so fast right now, I can’t keep up. Here’s a list of what I’ve seen so far this April:… Continue reading Field Report- April 7, 2025
Quiet Nature- April 3, 2025
I thought this scene was rather pretty. The pink fringe bushes alternating with the evergreen trees and bushes, lining a pond half covered with pine pollen. This is spring in North Carolina.
North Carolina Science Festival
Have you heard about the North Carolina Science Festival? It is a statewide celebration of science for the entire month of April. This year, there are over 500 events happening in all corners of North Carolina. The theme is Science Everyday, Everywhere, Everyone. You can attend a star party, go on a scavenger hunt in… Continue reading North Carolina Science Festival
A Little Visitor
We had a little visitor in the yard this week. It’s not every day you get to see a mouse, let alone have one stay still long enough to photograph it! (These pictures were taken through a window.) This is probably a house mouse (Mus musculus).
What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? April 2025
There are so many flowers to look forward to in April! Look for: And many more! Check the April Flower page for the full list of flowers to see next month.
First Large Butterfly Sighting in 2025
A male eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) was resting in the sun on the Shiloh Greenway this afternoon. This was the first large butterfly I’ve seen this season. Did you know that the eastern tiger swallowtail is the state butterfly of North Carolina?
Field Report- March 24, 2025
Spring flowers are blooming everywhere you look! The white cherry blossoms and the eastern redbuds are at their peak. On the Hatcher Creek Greenway, look for dimpled trout lilies, spring beauties and rain lilies blooming in the woods. The violets, green and gold, wood sorrel, running five-fingers, and mock strawberries have started to come out.… Continue reading Field Report- March 24, 2025