We saw our first Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) this weekend! The large web was what caught our attention. We didn’t realize what spider we were looking at until after doing some research at home. This yellow and gray spider is native to Asia. It was introduced to Georgia in 2014 and has been making its… Continue reading Joro Spider
Category: Animals
July 4, 2026
Some red, white and blue on America’s 250th birthday. Pictured: scarlet rose mallow, buttonbush, Virginia dayflower, male northern cardinal, great egret, little blue heron.
Killdeer Crossing
I was watching a pair of killdeer in the retention pond at the corner of Town Hall Drive and Harris Mill Road. At some point, one bird flew away while the other stayed in the pond. I finished taking my pictures of the bird in the pond, and started to walk to the other side… Continue reading Killdeer Crossing
Luna Moth Sighting
It’s always exciting to find a luna moth (Actias luna)! This was the first sighting this year.
Luna Moths
Be on the lookout for beautiful Luna moths in late May and early June. Luna moths spend just one week as an adult butterfly. They typically fly at night. I’ve had luck seeing them in the morning on cloudy days. Luna moths have three broods in North Carolina, each 8-10 weeks apart. They can be… Continue reading Luna Moths
Marbled Orb-Weaver
Here is a male marbled orb-weaver (Araneus marmoreus var. marmoreus) to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Migration of the Monarch Butterfly
Every fall, monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) fly all the way to Mexico to spend the winter. As the temperatures warm in the spring, the monarchs travel north again. I had heard this story many times, but I never really looked into the details. Monarch butterflies typically only live for a month. They eat, they mate,… Continue reading Migration of the Monarch Butterfly
Mourning Cloak Butterfly
Have you ever seen a mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa)? They are found all over North America, Europe and Asia, but are considered uncommon in the Piedmont of North Carolina. This is only the second time I’ve ever seen one. The first time was a few years ago in Zion National Park in Utah. This… Continue reading Mourning Cloak Butterfly
Muskrat Sighting in Carpenter Park
I saw a muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) at Carpenter Park today. Have you seen it? It was in the water for a while, then it came up on land and gathered some grass. It walked right toward me! I thought it would run away, but I learned today that they have poor eyesight. Since I was… Continue reading Muskrat Sighting in Carpenter Park
National Bird Day
January 5, 2025 is National Bird Day. Take some time today to notice the birds outside. What are they doing? Are they looking for food? Are they singing? How many different kinds of birds do you see or hear? How many can you identify?