5-23-08 Observations

- Sunny, breezy and refreshingly cool the last few days, with nights being particularly pleasant...low to mid 50s and a bright moon.

- Today has been a warm (around 80) and seasonal spring day on the mountain properties. A few sprinkles here and there.

- Walked the Magical Mile hiking trail (the new trail from Hemlock Park to Mother's Park) again a couple of days ago.......the trail parallels Stone Creek for over a mile....serene forest....quiet....truly magical.

- Reports of recently born fawns beginning to come in....

- It has been a great growing season for most all local flora....the Blackberry vines are currently loaded with brilliant white blooms and the Mountain Laurel is blooming along the creeks and in the valleys. Most of the blooms of the laurel are brilliant white, with occasional specimens showing pink blooms.

- Attached are recent bird photos....Can we say inconspicuous? The Song Sparrow (on the ground...Melospiza melodia) is best described by this one word. The Northern Mockingbird in the photo seems to be quite angry that I was sharing space. The photo of the striking Pileated Woodpecker is one of my best....and the bird seems to be showing the world how they use the rigid tail feathers for leverage and balance when having a meal. Two of them are tending a nest in a tree just behind my cabin.

5-8-08 Observations...Finally...The Grosbeaks!

- Warm and breezy on the mountain properties this AM.

- Rain headed our way today.

- The Dogwoods are still showing their brilliant blossoms in the mountains and now the Black Locusts (Genus Robinia) are also showing their blooms. The clusters of flowers on the Locusts are white, though not nearly as brilliant white as the Dogwoods.

- Finally! Attached are photos of Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks (male and female) on my feeders. The male carries the signature. Also pictured is the acrobatic and somewhat erratic White Breasted Nuthatch, who appears to be enjoying the suet.

- The other photo was a treat for me.....capturing the male and female Eastern Towhee in the same camera shot. These birds are quite shy and often reclusive. Notice the red eye in the male, the one with the black cape.

Springtime in the Mountains

- Clear and pleasant this morning on the mountain properties.

- Spring is a beautiful time in our mountain properties, as evidenced by the attached photos.

- These photos were taken on an early afternoon hike yesterday....which included a jaunt into some of our future development areas.

- Two of the photos are of The Pinxter Flower (called a Pink Azalea in some taxonomy books). These wild deciduous shrubs are common on the high exposed ridges throughout our mountain properties.

- Note in the photo of the white flowers there are pink flowers on the plants in the background....and despite most of my ID books saying this species (Rhondodendron nudiflorum) has only pink flowers, the photo seems to refute this. Observation of the leaves, twigs, stems, and flower arrangement analyzed on this trip seem to indicate all specimens were of the same species.

- The Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) is very similar, though the flowers usually have an orange hue. Both are in the Heath Family (Ericaceae).

- The other photo reflects the inspiring springtime vistas experienced on this hike.