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Category Archives: Natural History
Jefferson or Hyacinth Bean…
Plant and Stand Back! Don’t have a green thumb? I think I have found the answer. Early this summer, on a trip to Thomas Jefferson’s summer home, Poplar Forest, I picked up a package of seeds from the gift shop. … Continue reading
Posted in Natural History
Tagged bean, envelope, heirloom, hyacinth, Jefferson, Monticello, pink, Poplar Forest, purple, see, seed pods, Thomas, vine
2 Comments
A Tomato Hornworm Stirs the Curious Naturalist
Natural History – The Tomato Hornworm I have often described myself as “a curious naturalist,” (especially after I read “The Curious Naturalist” by Sy Montgomery). Perhaps, the garden helps feed my “curious naturalist” gene. For example, this morning while encouraging … Continue reading
Posted in Natural History, Uncategorized
Tagged caterpillar, gardens, green, hawkmoth, horn, hornworm, hummingbird, larva, moth, naturalist, nightshade, potato, Solanaceae, sphinx, tomato
3 Comments
Black Widow Spider
Tuesday Topics – Natural History Turning over rocks, boards, or anything lying on the ground anywhere in the temperate areas of the United States can be hazardous. Black Widow spiders prefer cool, protected areas under almost anything on or near … Continue reading
Posted in Natural History
Tagged bite, black widow, cannabalism, habits, hourglass, spider, taxonomy, venom, web
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Tuesday Topics – The Bald Cypress Tree
Tuesday Topics – Nature The Bald Cypress is a unique tree: it can thrive in standing water, it has “knees” that act as snorkels for its roots, and it is a conifer (usually evergreens) but it loses it needles every … Continue reading
Posted in Natural History
Tagged aquatic, bald cypress, cypress knee, farm, osprey, swamp, tree, Virginia
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Monochrome Maddness 2-43 – Wind Sculptures
The wind twisting sea grass in the dry sand carved out the concentric curves. They seem appropriate for Leanne Cole’s theme of “curves” for Monochrome Madness 2-43. There are more awesome monochrome photos at the link above.
Posted in Natural History, Uncategorized
Tagged beach, curves, grass, monochrome madness, sand, sculpture, wind
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The Fascinating Biology of the Monarch Butterfly
Topical Tuesday – Nature The monarch butterfly is not only beautiful but is also a fascinating biological study. Consider the following Monarch facts: 1. It “tastes bad” to predators. 2. Because it tastes bad, it is mimicked by the Viceroy … Continue reading
Posted in Natural History
Tagged butterfly, chrysalis, generations, instar, larva, migration, milkweed, mimic, mimicry, monarch, survival, viceroy
2 Comments
Picking Up a Reluctant Hitch-hiker
Natural History Post of the Month – Black Rat Snake Driving home along the country road, I rounded a sharp turn and immediately saw a snake stretched out on the pavement, soaking up the warmth of the sun. Unfortunately, and … Continue reading
Sunday Stills’ Challenge – Multiple Flowers
Multiple flowers from Leaming’s Run Gardens in Cape May County, New Jersey. Posted in response to Sunday Stills’ Challenge – Multiple Flowers
Posted in Natural History
Tagged flowers, gardens, Leaming's Run, Multiple, New Jersey, Sunday Stills
1 Comment
Travel Theme: Off Center
“Jurassic” Leopard Frog I encountered this Leopard Frog near Batsto Lake, in southern New Jersey. A little cropping makes it look more imposing that it really is. It takes just a little imagination to conger a Jurassic landscape here. Submitted … Continue reading
Posted in Natural History
Tagged Challenge, frog, leopard, off center, photograph, wheres my backpack?
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Renaissance Musings 