Now that the tree branches are bare, it’s easier to see the birds. This is a male red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus). The red on the male’s head goes from the beak to the back of the neck. The crown of the female’s head is gray. These birds have some light red coloring on their bellies,… Continue reading Red-bellied Woodpecker
Category: Animals
Red-Winged Blackbirds
Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are a common sight around wetlands. In the summer, you might see one or two near a small retention pond in your neighborhood. Once you know their song, you can’t miss them. This winter, I have had three occasions where an entire flock of red-winged blackbirds was hanging out on the… Continue reading Red-Winged Blackbirds
Rough Green Snake
Look carefully. Can you see it? A rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) is hiding in the bush. Rough green snakes are friendly snakes. They are active during the day, usually climbing on trees. They typically eat insects and do not harm humans. Rough green snakes can be difficult to find. Their thin, green bodies match… Continue reading Rough Green Snake
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
Sometimes Nature Comes to You
Sometimes nature comes to you! We sat down to eat lunch yesterday and heard a tap on the window. The bugs bump the window all the time, it was nothing unusual. As I passed by the window though, something caught my attention. Look at this bug! Have you ever seen anything like it? It’s an… Continue reading Sometimes Nature Comes to You
Spotted Salamanders at the North Carolina Botanical Garden
This week, we visited the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. Our intention was to find some spring ephemerals, and we were not disappointed. However, we were not expecting to get a lesson in the life cycle of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum). As we crossed the bridge into the Coastal Plain Habitat, we were… Continue reading Spotted Salamanders at the North Carolina Botanical Garden
Surprise on the Trail
I came around a bend in the Shiloh Greenway yesterday and was surprised to see a group (a gaggle) of six geese walking up the trail toward me. Of course, the geese are very common around here, and I often see them on the Indian Creek Greenway at the trailhead by the water. When I… Continue reading Surprise on the Trail
Wait and See
There’s always something to see in nature if you take the time to look. Today, I heard something crunching in the dry grass. It sounded like someone walking very slowly, but no one was around. I stopped for a minute to see if I could spot what was making the noise. I didn’t see anything… Continue reading Wait and See
Welcome Little Ones
Do you seen anything? Look carefully. The mallard duck family welcomed TWELVE new ducklings to the family last week!
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