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When we lived in Virginia, the sight of crocus blooms popping up in our yard meant that spring was close at hand. I think that is the reason why the crocus remains one of my favorite spring bulbs! But did you know that there are over 80 different varieties of crocus? The crocus is part of the iris family and is thought to have originated in Europe, Asia, and Africa. These flowers can live from … [Read more...]
Snowdrops – when You See These, You Know Spring Is Almost Here!
Ahh, spring is in the air. There’s a warm breeze blowing, birds chirping, and snowdrops dotting the ground! But don’t get lulled into a false sense of the season - old man winter can still rear his frozen head. Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to appear each spring. These blooms typically appear as soon as the temperatures are regularly above freezing - depending on where you live this … [Read more...]
Bottlenose Dolphins – Have You Seen These Amazing Aquatic Mammals?
Now, I realize that the likelihood of you having dolphins in your backyard to observe is about as likely as you penguins. But, chances are high that you kids love bottlenose dolphins, thanks to movies like A Dolphin’s Tale. So, why don’t we take a moment to learn about these amazing aquatic mammals! Bottlenose dolphins are very smart and playful marine mammals. They are often spotted jumping … [Read more...]
The Stinkhorn – A Mushroom Only A Mother Could Love
It “hatches.” It smells like death. Some have a questionable shape. What’s not to love about stinkhorn mushrooms? Stinkhorn mushrooms like to grow on rotting organic matter, so you typically find them in your mulch beds. But don't worry, if you don’t want these stinky ‘shrooms showing up in your flower bed, you can replace your hardwood mulch with pine needles. Like all mushrooms, what we … [Read more...]
The Robin – The Most Common Bird You See
The first bird I learned to identify was the robin, so although it is not my favorite - that spot belongs to the tufted titmouse - it does hold a special place in my heart. These orange-breasted birds are easy to spot and hear as they are typically the first ones to wake up in the morning! American robins are found all over the US and many stick around through the winter months as they can puff … [Read more...]
The Secret Life of the Gentle and Useful Cow
Don’t you love the way cows look at you? It’s so gentle and calming! We used to live near a cow field and although the smell wasn’t so great when the wind was blowing the right direction - we did enjoy pausing on our walks to observe their stocky bodies and wide heads as they gently chew their cud in the fields. These mammals are herbivores and ruminants, which means they digest the grass they … [Read more...]