Beast on the Basil

I'm not sure what this beastie is supposed to be mimicking but it's doing a great job of it. 

Yesterday and Last Night

A rare treat is to see a cucumber tree blossom close up. This tree has lain down next to one of our trails but has still been blooming nicely for a number of years now. The blossoms are very large and fragrant. 

Goats Beard

Partridge berries are often noted for the big red fruit but the twin flowers are worth getting down to see.

As I was editing photos this night visitor flew up to look in on me.

I turned off the lights in order to end its confusion and hopefully find a mate... Beautiful night for it.

Strange Beast on the Bird Feeder

This little guy (or girl) makes the leap from the deck rail to the bird feeder, stuffs his cheeks and leaps back. We have sworn off cats after out beloved Maggie went on to that great mouse hunt in the sky (Actually she's becoming one with the earth next to a hickory tree). The change in the wild life near the house has been amazing. Ground birds and ground squirrels are now abundant near the house. Even the larger birds are hanging closer. I almost stepped on a pileated woodpecker a few minutes ago. What he was doing on the ground I have no idea. 

Virginia Ground Cherry

Taken just this morning

Mist

The mist monsters were out this evening after the storm passed through. You have to be here...

This is a Hippeastrum, not an Amaryllis as it is often sold as.

We have had this one for a couple of years. It is an impressive bloom and easy to care for in the off season. This one sits a couple of feet above the kitchen table as I type.

Indigo Bunting Tragedy

I kicked myself and put up the bird screens. Too late for this beautiful jewel...

Today's Walk at Whites Creek

Check back for a few more shots, including the gay wings(now posted). The Gay wings are new for me just this year. They grow in colonies and follow a strategy similar to orchids in that the flower mimics an insect in order to get pollinated, as opposed to providing nectar in payment for services rendered. Lured with a promise of sex, the insect pollinates the flower but doesn't appear to receive anything in return. Life just isn't fair, sometimes.

Updated with a few more shots.

Just Over 3 1/2 Inches of Rain Last Night

Looks like this just a few minutes ago...

Compare that to this shot from fall...

Just Now

Since I couldn't get the yellow throated warbler to display and hold still for a picture, you'll have to make do with this handheld telephoto shot in cloudy conditions of the scarlet tanager that hangs around the front yard.

Come On Baby!

This boy was strutting his stuff for the lady.

April 1, 2011..No Fooling!

Morning mist rolls down the creek.

This yellow rumped or Myrtle Warbler is all dressed up in his Spring finery to impress the ladies now.

Spring Time in the Country

This is the view today from the top of "jump rock". You can see what jump rock looks like from down below by looking at the photo over on the right here at Whites Creek Journal.

Trilliums are emerging. This is most likely a yellow trillium. Let you know later in the month when it blooms.

There are joys one experiences when living in the country. This friend has passed on to that great kitchen floor in the sky, where all good little scorpions go when they get squished by the Great Lambskin Moccasin from the guy sitting in the chair next to the kitchen table.

Showing Off The Yard

Took a fine walk with a photog friend that covered over three miles of Whites Creek trails today. He hung with me as we jumped Ford Branch and hiked along the Creek to a spot above the confluence to Piney Creek. This place is way too big to see in a day or even a decade, but if my friends are willing to follow I'm willing to show them around. There's nothing like a long hike and good conversation.

Update: Mushy's photos from the day are posted at his site HERE.

Gobbler in the Morning

This old boy roosted just below the house last night. He was practicing his strut about 50 off the ground on a limb way too small for a twenty pound bird. Sorry for the fuzzy shot. I need to get optical grade windows or cut in a rifle port to take pictures through. There is way too much cool stuff that happens in our yard.

Today's Walk...Behind the Waterfall

This beautiful spot is on a tributary to Ford Branch. With the recent rains it was flowing nicely.

Spring Song

Taken through the window glass just now, the song is still sweet.

The call can be heard here.

Happy Valentine's Day..Love is Strange Edition...Really, Really, Strange

If you ever wondered where they got the idea for the Alien movie monster...

If you never thought of your friendly neighborhood mollusk as a man of action, think again. Freshwater mussels like this cheeky little Epioblasma triquetra (a/k/a "Snuffbox") propagate their kind by grabbing a passing fish, clamping it down forcefully and then proceeding to shove some larvae down its throat.

Watch

Today's View

Looking out over the Tennessee Valley.

Compare today's picture to this from last summer...

This last one is the wrap around image for the blog. I'll lead anyone who wants to follow up there. Just let me know.

The Boys are Dressing Up for Spring

We're starting to see courting behavior in the trees. I watched a nuthatch take suet to its mate in the dogwood tree and the spring color is beginning to show on the warblers and finches. Get outside and see for yourself what nice weather we have for hiking today. This yellow rumped warbler is terrorizing much larger birds at the feeder, showing off for the girls. His rump flashes are too fast for a picture to turn out so far.

Update: Here we go. Impressed girls?

Whites Creek Journal Global Headquarters

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