High Virginia Outdoors: Diversify

High Virginia Outdoors: Diversify: "One sure way to get the greatest pleasure from the outdoors is to diversify your interests. We tend to get stuck in the rut of doing the sa..."

High Virginia Outdoors: Migratory Visitors

High Virginia Outdoors: Migratory Visitors: "Field Sparrow The past two weeks have been good for observing birds; during their fall migration. I have seen several species, here in my ..."

Migratory Visitors

Field Sparrow

The past two weeks have been good for observing birds; during their fall migration. I have seen several species, here in my yard. As of today, I still have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds present. October 12 is the latest date that I have recorded for hummers in the past. Today is the 12th. they will not be present, much longer. Yesterday evening, I had a large flight of Chipping Sparrows, there were more than 50 individuals here feeding on weed seeds. I searched the flock, trying to find something rare. I had hoped to find Clay-colored Sparrows, Lincolns or anything else; but alas there were only a couple of Field Sparrows mixed with the flock. White-throated Sparrows are beginning to show up in the area also. I had an Ovenbird, staying here for a week. It headed further South on Saturday. Several Pine Siskins and Purple Finches made their appearance on October 4th and some have decided to hang around for awhile.

I have had a steady trickle of warblers, over the past two weeks. Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, Black and White, Tennessee, Yellow-rumped and Cape May Warblers have been present. Ruby-crowned Kinglets showed up on Saturday. For some reason, I had several Scarlet Tanagers; which I had not seen all Summer.

It is prime time to get out the binoculars and take a leisurely stroll through the countryside. Enjoy the fall colors and hopefully encounter a bird; which you have never seen before. You never know what may show up. Go out a search out that song you have never heard before; it may be something good.
A Field Guide to Warblers of North America (Peterson Field Guide)
Sparrows of the United States and Canada: The Photographic Guide

Autumn Silence

The opening day of squirrel season has arrived ; in the hills of West Virginia. Until a few years ago, this was a highly anticipated day for me. I could always be found on a hardwood ridge; twenty-two in hand and squirrels in the game bag.

Gunshots were steadily heard until Halloween. Now, the woods around home are still. Trees are gone, squirrels are gone. The hickory ridges are now covered in blackberries and saplings. Coyote heaven.
I sold my .22's in 2004, after realizing that it wasn't feasible to drive 50 miles when you only have a couple of hours to spend hunting. The rewards do not justify the time and expense involved.

I spent all morning outside and a beautiful morning it was. I never heard on shot fired from the hillsides. Areas which are still blessed to have their mast producing trees, have an abundance of foods available to the critters of the woodlands. But, when the trees are gone; so is life. From here in the orange water, clear-cut wastelands of northwest Randolph County. Enjoy your Autumn if you still can.

Butterfly of the Month/October-Eastern Comma

It wasn't easy; making a decision about October's butterfly. Cabbage Whites and Red-spotted Purples seem to be the most adbundant fliers of early October.  But, I have noticed several Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) butterflies.  These butterflies can be seen from early spring, thru October.

These are butterflies of woodland edges and moist soils.  They can usually be found near gravel road mud holes. 

A hooked, silver comma can be found in the center of the hindwing, to help in identifying this butterfly.

Eastern Comma

The Butterflies Of West Virginia and their Caterpillars (Pitt Series in Nature and Natural History)

Wildflower of the Month/October-White Heath Aster

White Heath Aster

October in Appalachia is Aster month.  Members of the Aster family, dominate our landscape. We have over twenty five species, in our region.

White Heath Aster (Aster pilosus), while not being the showiest member of the family; may be the most common. It is also the longest blooming aster of our region and can be seen, during most years into November.

Asters are composites, the bloom is composed of the disc flowers, which are tubular and found in the center. The colorful ray flowers in shades of purple,pink,blue or white make up what we think is the simple flower.  White Heath Aster has several common names:  Nailrod, Steelweed and Michaelmas Daisy.  It can be found in fields, wasteplaces and roadsides and is one of the lastest available food sources for many species.

Ramp Seeds

Ramp Seeds

The Ramp is the king of spring, in the Appalachian Highlands. This member of the Allium family can be smelled from numerous towns and campsites.  But, have you ever seen the seed; from which the tasty leek is born?  This is the seed head of the Ramp (Allium tricoccum). This photo was taken in September.  The seeds will fall to the ground and sprout from the leaf litter of the forest floor and bring on a new generation of the pungent leek.