Eeep-peep…eeep-peep…eeep-peep… Enjoying the springlike evening air, I paused in my driveway, straining to block out the highway noises so I could focus on the subtle sounds I hoped were not simply my imagination. Could it be one of the earliest … Continue reading →

Many areas of Angle Fly are infested with densely packed, spiny shrubs known as Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii). This time of year its arching branches are decorated with attractive, dangling red berries which add a spot of color to the … Continue reading →

This week, I want to introduce you to another native evergreen, one that is just as graceful and often grows side by side with white pines: Tsuga canadensis, the Eastern Hemlock. Although hemlocks are also very tall, their details offer … Continue reading →

Pinus stobus – the scientific name of our native White Pine has a pleasing lilt. In pre-colonial days this majestic tree grew across large portions of Eastern North America, reigning as the tallest tree in the forest. It was reputed … Continue reading →

Blink and you may have missed it, but for a few short days our woods were full of snow. Snow reveals many things that are otherwise hidden, offering hikers fresh experiences along the snowy trails. Animals leave traces of their … Continue reading →

Whenever I find myself beaten down by the long, gray days of winter I walk through the woods looking for the first signs of spring. What I seek are the purple tips of Eastern Skunk Cabbage blossoms (Symplocarpus foetidus) melting … Continue reading →

Moss is one of the most beautiful of green plants. Although mosses seem very different from garden flowers, they are all chlorophyl-containing organisms and make their own food. Perhaps because moss is tiny and mingles with mushrooms, we may think … Continue reading →