Category: Natural History
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In the Belly of a Bluebird
The Bluebird Carries the Sky on His Back. ~Henry David Thoreau I probably have used that famous HDT quote before in a post, but it is so apt. Although the color of a male is so intense this time of year that it exceeds even a perfect Carolina blue sky. Bluebirds are among the most Read more…
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Forest Stars
Even the genus name says it, Stellaria, star. But the usual common name, Giant Chickweed, doesn’t do it justice. In fact, it does it a slight injustice because many of us associate the name, chickweed, with an introduced common yard weed. But this delicate beauty is one to seek out and appreciate, not yank from Read more…
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Pool Patrol
In a recent post, I mentioned that I sampled the woodland pool near the house earlier in the week. The Marbled Salamander larvae have grown considerably since my last visit. Almost every dip of the net brought up one or more of the large, squirming pool predators. When first caught, they were very dark, which Read more…
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Toe-Biter
The feeling of respect for all species will help us recognize the noblest nature in ourselves. ~Thich Nhat Hanh I visited the nearby woodland pool yesterday to check on the Spotted Salamander egg masses I photographed a couple of weeks ago. After a couple of dips with the net, I was astonished at how large Read more…
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Dutch Treat
One Touch of Nature Makes the Whole World Kin. ~William Shakespeare I spent a couple of days late last week with some clients from the Netherlands and a Dutch friend of theirs that now lives in North Carolina. They had been with me for a couple of days last Fall, but arrived a day before Read more…
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Now You See Me…
…it seems to vanish mysteriously, skulking in some sheltered nook, with only its bill above water, well deserving its common name of “water witch”. ~Arthur Cleveland Bent Dabchick, Hell-diver, Water Witch, Podilymbus podiceps – all names for a diminutive water bird now known as the Pied-billed Grebe, or simply PBG. These are the the most Read more…
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A Sense of Place
Being aware of the splendor of the seasons, of the natural world, makes us understand man’s critical need for wild places. Living with familiar things and moving in the seasons can fulfill that profound need common to us all: a sense of place. ~Jo Northrop It was time. Time for another trip to that place Read more…
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They’re Back
Always be on the Lookout for the Presence of Wonder ~E.B. White I saw my first one yesterday. I glanced out the window and a streak went by the flowers I had just bought for the window box. I went to the door and I saw it hovering, checking out the red taillight on my Read more…
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Dream Frogs
…I hear the dream frog at a distance…My dream frog turns out to be a toad. ~Henry David Thoreau In a post in late February I discussed the vocalizations of a variety of frogs and toads I have photographed in North Carolina. Last week I had the opportunity to spend some time with one of Read more…
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Salamander Jelly
I shared an early sign of spring about a month ago when I posted some images of Spotted Salamander spermatophores (Salamander Candy) in a woodland pool near my home. Last week I checked out that pool, and a few others, looking for the next step in the recipe for creating a full-baked Spotted Salamander – Read more…
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Roads End Naturalist 