Greensboro Daily Photo

Groundhog Day 2012

Groundhog Day 2012 has come and gone this week. Do you know the origin of the holiday? Do you follow the results? According to the predictions of both Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania AND Sir Walter Wally's in North Carolina, there will be six more weeks of winter. Ironically, good weather on any given February 2nd, Groundhog Day, indicates winter will linger. In the USA, we have been maintaining this tradition for over 125 years. Pennsylvania's early settlers brought the following saying from Europe: "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."* Candlemas is the 40th day after Christmas. So, historically, Groundhog Day is linked to Christianity.

Information related to North Carolina's groundhog-predictor is archived through the State Climate Office of North Carolina. Check here on March 15th, if you want to follow up on the accuracy of Sir Walter Wally's 2012 prediction. On the same website, archived through NC State University, you can check the groundhog's record in previous years.  Last time we checked, the Greensboro's own Natural Science Center had "Woody" the Groundhog on the prediction circuit, too.

As for the above groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, and land-beaver,  he was seen frequently in our yard in Greensboro this summer. We're guessing he'll be back...... sometime after March 15th. As far as we can tell, he's never poked his head out on February 2nd. Care to name him?

 *Huffington Post reference here.

D is for Dogs, People and Paws for Hope

In the above photo, we see the building that formerly housed the Central Carolina Convalescent Hospital at 710 Huffine Mill Road, between Summit and Bessemer Avenues. We drove by this weekend to see the former hospital again because there was a question about its location during Eugene Pfaff's recent book talk about the Civil Rights Movement in Greensboro. During the sit-ins, the above facility served as a place to detain protestors. However, it was initially built in 1948 to quarantine and treat polio victims.* One woman vividly remembered it was "somewhere out off of East Market Street" said when her parents drove her past this facility, she held her breath for fear of catching polio. 

This facility is so important to the history of Greensboro, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Great Mid-Century Polio Epidemic. It is always larger in our memory than it is when we actually visit it in person.** Surprisingly, nobody has pursued getting it on an historic registry. While, a few years ago, it appeared to be abandoned and deteriorating, there is hope for its upkeep, however.

On Sunday's visit, we learned that the facility currently houses People and Paws for Hope. This non-profit organization helps youth between the ages of 5-18 with Animal Assisted Therapies and Activities. They also help dogs be socialized with humans so that they can be adopted into forever homes. So, as serendipity would have it, our trip to the polio hospital brings us in a round about way to today's ABC Wednesday cause: D is for dogs, our canine companions. As People and Paws for Hope reminds us, we need dogs and dogs need us! Good luck to this organization. Good luck to 710 Huffine Mill Road!

*read an interesting article about the polio hospital (here).

**Last time we were there it was painted blue. 

Stephie's Birds

For Black Friday, we're headed out for a little retail therapy. What better way to start the day than to head over to Stephie's Birds to see some GIANT feathered friends!  Stephie, a second generation bird breeder/handler, is known up and down the east coast for her breeding of fabulously beautiful, healthy birds, of all sizes. From scarlet macaws to purple parakeets, her expertise in all issues related to birds keeps even a few vets ringing her phone. Above, a cockatoo named Chance watches over the store. In addition to selling birds, Stephie finds new homes for birds that the original owners can no longer keep. 

Recently Stephie's Birds relocated to North Battleground across from Wal-Mart.

While we only show a sliver of the sky in the photo above, we're sharing this photo with our friends at Skywatch Friday. We'll be sure to snap a few more photos when we are out finding bargains. How are you spending the day?

Woolly Worm Time in North Carolina 2011

Today, we bring you what may become an annual Greensboro woolly worm photo. Pyrrharctia isabella, or the banded woolly bear, is the larval stage of a moth that will winter over as a caterpillar. The furlike setae makes them resemble teddy bears and hide all of their segments and legs. Some people believe the more fuzzy black you see, the harsher the the winter will be. In reality, as the larvae mature, the black band decreases and the brown increases. In winter, the caterpillars freeze bit by bit except for their innermost cells. They can survive even Arctic temperatures as low as minus 90F. This photo of a wooly worm was taken one year to the day after the one we captured a year ago (Here). Although published later, both were taken on October 1st. 

North Carolina is one of many states with a woolly worm contest. The 34th annual Woolly Worm Festival will be held in Banner Elk this Saturday and Sunday. This proves to be a special year because it is the 100th anniversary of Avery County, NC. (Learn more here). Traditional music and dancing will surely be great there during the festival. However, we may have to settle for donning black and brown and wandering around Greensboro this weekend. 

Maybe you can have your own impromptu woolly worm race in your neighborhood. Otherwise, search GoTriad online (here) to find something that meets your interest this weekend. 

 

 

Signs of Fall: Seed Pods and Boxelder Bugs

In addition to football, another sign of fall is scattering bugs and seed pods. Seed pods burst open to begin their journey across the landscape while bugs scatter to seek refuge from the impending cold. Above, you see boxelder bugs clustered in these pods, in transition from their habitat in male boxelder, maple, and ash trees. These orange and black beetle specimens are hoping for a warm southern or western exposure window in a house to bask in the sun. Only the mature bugs will survive through the winter. For the most part, they are harmless to plants and people-- except for a little orange stain left behind and their appetite for eating seeds. We found these specimens on Fairmont Street during the Westerwood Art and Sole Walk this past weekend. While harmless and non-toxic, if a colony picks your home as the host house, you will know it as where there is one, likely there are hundreds.

Have you taken a nature walk yet this fall-- one where you take time to stop and look on the ground or on the undersides of plants? Greensboro's greenway and miles and miles of trails are a great place to start. Here is a website we like when planning a nature walk with children..... or grown-ups. Phones, headphones, texting?  No thank you. Binoculars, baggies, digital camera, walking stick, yes please! Here is one of our favorite finds from last year. 

Just in........ reader C Bond tells us these are actually milkweed bugs. They look so much like boxelders. Glad to have an entomologist in our readership!

Dog Days of Summer

 

Dog Days are "the hottest, most sultry days of summer." They refer to a time period that is hot, the air is stagnant, and it can be "marked by dull lack of progress."  Humans tend to sit around "dog-tired" hoping for rain. Some believe that wounds heal more slowly at this time. Dog Days are named for Sirus, the Dog Star because the Romans believed that Sirus' close proximity to the sun was the cause of this oppressive weather event (Wiki).  "The Romans sacrificed a brown dog at the beginning of dog days to appease the rage of Sirus" (Wiki).

Climate and latitude influence when Dog Days take place in a given community. In the Southeast, they have been going strong since July-- maybe letting up a little the past day or two.  August 16th also happens to be the Feast Day of Saint Roch, the patron saint of dogs. So, today is a DOUBLE dog day for us! We couldn't resist the opportunity to share this photo of two canines resting beside their respective owners in the Greensboro Arboretum. The brown dog at the right is thinking....... "I hope there aren't any ancient Romans in Greensboro!" The gray one, as vigilant as the gander who holds his head high guarding the flock, says, "don't worry, man, I got ya covered."  Neither is aware that 34 years ago today (8/16/77) Elvis Presley died.

Have the dog days of summer affected you at all? Are you looking forward to Indian summer?

Fishing on Lake Higgins

This Great Blue Heron was spotted fishing on Lake Higgins. Success! Look closely and you will see a small fish in his beak. Lake Higgins is a 226- acre municipal reservoir just north of Greensboro in Summerfield. You can access it from Hamburg Mill Road.

The manmade lake was constructed in 1956. It was named after Vic Higgins who was a Greensboro city councilman in the mid-1950's. Lake Higgins even has a hatchery pond for catfish and trout, accommodating up to 6,000 at a time (reference)!  Thanks to the hatchery, is not only good fishing for birds but also for people! Boat, kayak, canoe rentals range from $10- 17 a day and are a great way to have some summer fun! Right now, the lake level is full, fishing is rated as "good" and the water temperature is about 88 degrees. 

Lake Higgins is closed on Mondays though so don't try scooting out there today! Here's to another great week in Greensboro.

Ladybug Reminds Us, Life Is All Around

This is our second hydrangea photo in a week but we just can't resist sharing this little ladybug who was visiting us on the hydrangeas that refuse to open all the way. This is the time of year when something beautiful in nature presents itself with each new glance. Carrying your camera out to the garden pays off.

Ladybugs are actually in the beetle family. With over 5,000 species, these coccinellids are found worldwide. Four hundred and fifty species are native to North America alone. If you check the previous link, you will learn that the name actually comes from Mary, Jesus' mother, as the (European) ladybug-- featured above-- has a red cloak with seven spots, representing Mary's seven joys and seven sorrows. In the winter, ladybugs like to invade homes. Speaking of invading, Asian ladybugs are invading the USA and are causing concern with gardeners in the NC mountains (read here); however, so far in Greensboro, we seem relatively spared the recently imported ladybug. If you have ladybugs in your garden, they are helpful in reducing the aphid population. You can even purchase ladybugs for that purpose. Are you a ladybug lover? If so, head over to the Parisian Promenade at Tanger Bicentennial Garden from 1-5 and you'll be sure to see some nature, both real and recreated!

The Celebrated Sleeping Tree Frog of Guilford County

Of course today's title is a play on words from Mark Twain's 1865 short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." Doing yard work this weekend, Mr. GDP had a saw in hand to cut this little branch when he noticed it was home to a gray tree frog. The gray tree frog is widespread throughout North Carolina; however, they aren't usually spotted, sleeping during the day. This one almost seemed to be semi-hibernating; however, he is gone today. As seen in this photo, gray tree frogs are good at camouflaging themselves. Changing color quickly and blending in are features for which they are famous. If you click through on the above-linked website, you can hear their call. As we typed this post, that exact noise filled our yard. We work very hard to keep our yard amphibian friendly, especially avoiding pesticides. See GDP's gray treefrog photo from last year, taken by chance (with nature's cooperation) on the same day of the year and posted a year and two days apart (here).

Read more under conservation if you want to know how pesticides can harm frogs (here). Finally, the following website is extremely informative if you want to know more about amphibians and reptiles of North Carolina (here). 

White Butterfly on Lavender

Here, we see a white butterfly, in flight, making a beeline for a clump of lavender. Small white butterflies are pretty to look at, but they are pests if you are trying to grow cabbage, mustard, or (it appears in this case) lavender. Widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa, it is said that white butterflies were an accidental import to the USA. They are the kudzu of the butterfly family-- pretty, but tenacious and distructive. Hardy beyond belief, white butterflies are the first to emerge and the last to go during the growing season.  The caterpillars are hard to find because they hide on the underside of leaves and munch away-- camouflaged.  On a positive note they are pollinators. This one, a female, was spotted in Greensboro yesterday.

Butterflies have great symbolism in religion, art, and literature and were even featured in Egyptian hieroglyphs over 3,000 years ago. If you are in the mood to learn a little more about them, Wikipedia is a good place to start!

AB SEED at Piedmont Triad Farmers' Market

Saturdays are a perfect time to catch up on yard work and AB SEED at the Piedmont Triad Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge is a great place to go to kick start your yardening. In addition to great plants, they also specialize in fountains and other hardscaping. AB SEED, formerly known as Summit Lawn and Garden, has been open since 1956. However, stuck in the 20th century they are not! In addition to their main website, AB SEED has a blog and a Facebook page.

On the checkout counter, front row center at AB SEED, is one of their store kitties. He is basking in the comfort of a box and in the affection of an associate. Usually, cats meander through the plants, pavers, and pebbles daring voles & mice to enter the property. As seen in the photo above, mid-day is prime NAPTIME for the feline friends. They should add to the back of their t-shirts: Compost, plants and napping cats-- happen.... here!

If we get a chance, we'll link this to Camera Critters.

After the Storm in North Carolina

This weekend, North Carolina experienced its worst storm system in two decades: High winds, and excessive rain, too fast, were the main culprits. For the most part, Greensboro was spared; however, throughout North Carolina, 22 people are dead, 100 injured, and 800 homes need repairing (read WFMY story here). This photo was taken on Saturday at Latham Park and Wendover, just after the waters receded. Earlier, Latham Park was flooded. As bottles, cans, logs, yard debris, and other random items floated by, birds were flying low, from branch to branch, enjoying the fresh air and warm sun. Birds are a symbol of the soul, "flying free of the earth-bound body and seeking the heavens" (reference here), 

This week, as we reflect on the spirit of God's passing over homes during the Jewish Passover and on Jesus' ascending to heaven during Easter, birds hover, swoop, and soar, reminding us there is beauty and hope in a new beginning. Please hold in your hearts those who have lost loved ones and homes this week.

Red Bird, Red Bird, What Do You See?

Even the redbirds are happy that the high winds have abated and the weather is warming up in Greensboro. This male cardinal was spotted in our backyard this weekend. While we enjoyed watching him with his companion twittering around in our yard, we realized that it is high time to get out the yard tools, muster up some muscle, and pull weeds.

Did you know the cardinal is the State bird of North Carolina? Chapter 145 of the the General Statutes of the North Carolina General Assembly addresses State symbols and other official adoptions. 145-2 addresses the State bird and says, "The cardinal is hereby declared to be the official State bird of North Carolina (1943, c. 595.)."  If you want to brush up on your knowledge of North Carolina's official symbols, you can find all the information here. That information might come in handy when playing a game of Trivial Pursuit; once, of course, the yardwork is done!

In the meantime, today's title come from Eric Carle's book, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear."  To jump start your Eric Carle trivia, what sees the red bird and what does the red bird see?

Sea Gulls in ROW 8

Move over Alfred Hitchcock and The Birds. Attention Wal-Mart shoppers: Gulls are flocking to Greensboro. Last week, we spotted several hanging out in ROW 8 of the Wal-Mart parking lot near Cone Boulevard. While gulls are usually associated with the ocean, hence the name 'sea' gulls, it is not uncommon to find some species of gulls inland. Since they are scavengers, gulls are found in places where food is readily available-- like parking lots of fast food restaurants. Gulls seem to love French fries, even though they are as bad for birds as they are for humans! (Read more about gulls here). 

Certain times of the year gulls stop by other places in Greensboro such as the the Warnersville Recreation Center and Jones Elementary School. Once we heard a Kindergartener ask his parent, "Does this mean that Greensboro used to be by the ocean?"  Perhaps the gulls in ROW 8 are en route to somewhere for the summer. The gulls make us think that North Carolinians must have a little seagull in our blood: we love to flock to the beach! Have you made your reservations yet? 

Vigilant Min-Pin; Loyal Companion

Arf! Arf!

Last weekend, man's best friend vigilantly awaited the return of his owner at the Yanceyville Farmers' Market. This miniature pincher's eyes were glued to the exact door where his owner entered the market. Dogs are so smart and loyal that not even our photography was enough to distract him. If you are in the market for a loyal pet, the Guilford County Animal Shelter has several waiting for you (their new website is fabulous).  The Guilford County Animal Shelter has everything from guinea pigs and rabbits to dogs and kittens who are hoping for a second chance. The GCAS website has three pages of dogs and eight pages of cats. All have the potential to be loyal companions. What a great thing to do on a Saturday; head out to your local animal shelter and adopt a pet. If you adopt from GCAS and are a frequent reader of GDP, send us a photo with your new friend and we'll try to post it. If you are not in the position to adopt, consider volunteering or sending a financial contribution. 

The cool weather last weekend made it safe to leave this canine locked in the car. However, soon, in North Carolina, it will be way TOO HOT to leave a pet (or child!!!!!) in a car-- even with the window cracked. We're sharing this post with you as well as our friends at Weekend Reflection and Camera Critters. Happy Saturday all. We LOVE our readers and their pets!

"J" is for Jessup Grove Road

Today is ABC Wednesday and "J" is for Jessup Grove Road. The above farm, at the corner of Jessup Grove and Lewiston Roads, is how much of Guilford County looked in earlier years. It is one of 52 homes on Jessup Grove. According to the NCSU & A&T SU Cooperative Extension Service, Guilford County has the largest horse population in North Carolina. Horses account for 4.6 million dollars of income for our county-- over half of the livestock revenue. These horses on Jessup Grove live the new-rural lifestyle, meaning that they are beside several housing developments. On warm afternoons couples can be seen jogging or pushing strollers and walking their dogs past this farm. 

We featured Jessup Grove Road today because "Jessup" is a well-known name in Greensboro. Jessup Service  is a heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and refrigeration service that has been in business in Greensboro since 1950. The biggest surprise to us is that in 2001, Jessup Service Inc. was sold to Suzanne Brown. And so, a woman is behind the Jessup Service name on the softball and baseball jerseys that we will likely see again this season!

In researching the "J" streets in Greensboro, we quickly learned that there are 57 "J" streets and they are all over the map. Most locals have heard of Joyner St. near UNCG and Jefferson Road that connects Friendly Avenue to New Garden Road. However, did you know there is a J Street, a JJ Drive, a Jane Street, a Jans Court and a Justamere Farm Road? Of all the "J" streets, Julian, south of Lee Street and near Bennett College, has the most houses: 129. Stop back next week to see what "K" will bring. See GDP's previously featured streets here A-I.

The Bulldog Resides in Greensboro

"Who let the dogs out?"   Mack Truck, Inc., that's who... and the above photo is an 8-foot-tall gold statue of Mack Truck's trusty mascot, the bulldog. Just as the bulldog is a heavy dog, Macks are heavy vehicles.

Last year was the Year of the Dog in the Chinese Zodiac and the first full year of Mack World Headquarters in Greensboro on National Service Road. Their headquarters, just down the street from Volvo Truck, rolled into Greensboro, September 2009. Mack Truck is a Volvo Group Company so this move, during a time of corporate restructuring, was a financially sound one for Mack/Volvo. Mack vehicles are sold in over 45 countries worldwide. This is a business we can be proud to have housed in Greensboro. If you ever have a chance, thank this company for being here.

Oh, and for you Georgia and NC State fans, now you don't have to leave town to get a photo with your favorite mascot! Since this IS actually a sign, I'm sharing it with the sign, sign meme.

War Eagle(s) Spotted in North Carolina

Auburn University is not the only home of the "war eagle" mascot. War Eagles are soaring in nearby Davie County! Knowing that Auburn University plays Oregon in football for the National Championship today, Mr. and Mrs. GDP drove over to Davie County, home of the Davie County War Eagles to take this photo. While the Davie County War Eagles fell to the Hillside Hornets for the North Carolina 2010 4-A Championship in December, they still represent quite a Cinderella Story, making it all the way to the finals for the first time in the school's history.

We're hoping that Auburn's War Eagles can represent the South and beat Oregon tonight. Regardless, here's to a good game, everyone staying healthy, and record viewership for a Monday game! Many TV sets in Greensboro, including those in the local sports bars, will be tuned to this nationally televised game.

Our State Bird

It is easy to see why the redbird or cardinal is North Carolina's state bird. The males are pure majestic elegance with their red plumage, black mask, and yellow beak. These seed-eating birds have strong bills and will stick around through the winter if they have a reliable food source. If you are snowed (should we say iced) in and want to learn more about cardinals, start here. By the way, do you know how many US States claim the cardinal as their state bird?

The answer is the same as the number of days in a week and the states are: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. A little interesting trivia is that these states all form an unbroken line from Illinois to North Carolina. I'll bet Greensboro is not the only site posting a redbird for Ruby Tuesday.

Blue Christmas

Chirp, chirp. These birds on a wire at the corner of East Lee Street and South Elm have their eye on the pulse of South Greensboro, a part of the city that does not always sparkle. From their vantage point, they see people in need at Urban Ministries, The Salvation Army, Weaver House,  homeless camps, Grace Church and beyond. Actually, great things are happening to make our city aware of issues related to homelessness and to empower the homeless to have better lives. Partners Ending Homelessness is one such initiative. It isn't too late to help someone others in need... financially or emotionally. Every little effort makes a difference. From donating cans of food to toiletries to making financial contributions to donating unneeded clothing to volunteering time, you have many options for helping at all price points. And, if you yourself are in need, lonely, or worried about celebrating a holiday alone, go volunteer or go eat at a soup kitchen. You won't be turned away. Like the birds on this wire, life is better with fellowship.

Skywatch Friday where the blogging community comes together to share a skyview from our respective cities. The meme is the wire where we all come to park our fingers for a few minutes each Friday-- alone but together.

Serpents in Religion

Little did this unassuming serpent at Greensboro's Natural Science Center realize that he would be featured on Sacred Sunday!  Sacred Sunday is not only people and buildings, but also thoughts that cause us to pause and reflect on spirituality. The serpent is a recurring symbol in mythology and many religions. In the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:4-5 & 3:22/Old Testament), it is the deceptive serpent who tempts Eve to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. In the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, the serpent is analogous to Satan (see this Wikipedia site to learn more). In Abrahamic religions, the serpent is largely associated with deceit. Snakes can also be guardians and in Buddhism, a snake shielded the meditating Buddha from the elements.

In the play, Brother Wolf, written by Greensboro's own Preston Lane (Triad Stage) with original music by Greensboro resident Laurelyn Dossett, Rattler Man, spreads terror with his box of serpents. Rattler Man is a foil to the charismatic traveling preacher in this Beowulf-inspired play. While snake-handling exists in Appalachia, we don't know of any snake-handling religions in Greensboro. According to our internet "research" North Carolina has laws restricting the practice. As you pause and reflect, what does the serpent represent to you?

Yellow Dawg Construction

Yellow Dawg Construction is a local Greensboro business. According to their website, owner Gray Clark has been doing home repairs for over 35 years-- since his graduate school days. The Lake Jeanette-based business is named after the family's yellow labrador dog, Gracie. Mr. Clark is also an ordained minister and contributes to mission projects like Habitat for Humanity. We haven't met anyone from Yellow Dawg. We just stumbled on their truck when we parked next to it at the Apple Computer Store in Friendly Center. For those of you from elsewhere, "dawg" is southern for "dog." 

We specifically took this Photo to share with Mellow Yellow Monday.

Woolly Worm Time in North Carolina

People have been using woolly worms to predict winter since pioneer days. To determine the severity of the winter, you look at the brown band of color on the woolly worms, or pyrrharctia isabella. The thinner the brownish-red ban, the harsher the winter will be. If the colors on the wooly worm in our yard are a prediction, winter will be pretty mild this year. Much brown, little black!

If you are fascinated by this topic, then consider attending the 33 Annual Woolly Worm Festival, just west of Boone, in Banner Elk North Carolina the third week in October. Last year's winner of the Woolly Worm Race was a young boy from Chapel Hill. Maybe we'll pack up our woolly worm and head west!

We're sharing this with Camera Critters and Weekend Reflection.

Junkyard Dogs

Tucked away on Roseland Street, just off State Street, lives a metal worker/welder. He makes wonderful animals and signs out of meta scrapsl. Here we see a few of the end products, gnarling works of art. Hanging on the fence, just out of the camera's view is a masterfully-crafted Harley Davidson sign. We decided, however, to show this view because the real dog in the background is very protective of his menagerie, the junkyard dogs. We use this term affectionately. Some of you may remember Jim Croce's 1973 song "Bad, bad Leroy Brown" in which the lyrics "meaner than a junkyard dog" are heard. Then there is the 1980's wrestler, Junkyard Dog, who is said to have gotten his name from that song. We'll those are all thoughts evoked as we stroled past the metal dogs on Roseland Street in Greensboro, North Carolina.

We're sharing these dogs with you today on Ruby Tuesday where a little red goes a LONG way!

 

Rainbow Rooster @ Central Carolina Fair

Fifty-one weeks a year, this English rooster is white. Once a year, for the Central Carolina Fair, he sits on the lap of his Burlington, NC owner while she paints him with food coloring. His decorative plumage draws plenty of attention at the fair. Children, who might not otherwise spend time in the poultry section of the fair, flock to see the rainbow rooster. According to one of the men tending the section, this rooster is tame. Roosters live anywhere from 5- 20 years, we plan to stop by the rooster cages every year to see how many years the rainbow rooster makes an appearance. Dying fur has been elevated to an artform with poodle owners (see here and here) but this is the first time we've seen a rooster.

His crowing today announces the nearing of the end to this year's fair. If you can't make it to this local fair, you can still catch the state fair next month in Raleigh. But we don't think the rainbow rooster is scheduled to appear!

 

Banding Canada Geese

The Canada Geese of Greensboro seemed to have forgotten that their ancestors used to migrate to and from Canada. This generation is content to live in the Wal-Mart parking lot, along Battleground Avenue, and in Country Park. The neck bands are useful in gathering data on a given goose's travels and migratory patterns. The Bird Banding Laboratory has a 1-800 number to report the whereabouts of a banded bird (1-800-327-BAND). We have to chuckle because we're pretty sure K5H7 is content to spend the remainder of her life in Country Park. We doubt she migrates back to Canada. However, if you ever see K5H7 in your neck of the woods, please report the whereabouts of the sighting here, on Greensboro Daily Photo,  (as well as calling the 1-800 number).

Canada geese, on average live 10-15 years. They can live up to 40 years. If you want to hear what one sounds like, listen here. Many people complain, especially owners of golf courses, as each goose can generate up to a pound of "poop" a day (times 20-30 birds times 365 days, wow!). If your yard has been selected for their waste dumping, you may can enlist the help of the poop patrol. Unfortunately, that particular franchise has not yet arrived in Greensboro.

We're sharing this with Camera Critters and Monochrome Maniacs. K5H7 is saying to me, "We're not going anywhere!" She was so tame, I got as close to her are you are to your computer screen. Ever notice how in a flock, at least ONE goose always has her head up to be on guard for the flock?

 

Watermelon Eating Cat

Here is a photo of our 12 year old cat chomping away at composted watermelon. He ate watermelon for over ten minutes. Although he is healthy, the watermelon must have had some nutrient his body needed. What do you think it was? After an hour or so in the sun, the watermelon had the texture of innards. Maybe he liked that!

We have two cats and their food preferences are completely different. The one who wasn't interested in eating watermelon is overweight and not as healthy as this cat. What quirks do your pets have? For our language buffs, English could use a little morphology here-- to help us in determining what is eating what!  What if it were bacteria eating cat? Would the bacteria be eating the cat or the cat eating the bacteria?

We're sharing this one with the Ruby Tuesday gang that adores everything RED! Also, thank you to Moscow Daily Photo for reminding me that it is nice to comment on the commenters comments once in a while. Finally, Barbara Farr of Phoenix City (Alabama) Daily Photo posted about a Fresh Market that opened in her area. As you know, Fresh Market is a Greensboro Company!! So much to be thankful in this blogging world.

 

"D" is for Dog Days

"Dog days" are the hottest days of summer. In our part of the world, the southeastern United States, August is prime time for dog days. People say that wounds take longer to heal and infection is more likely during this time when the air is sultry and stagnant. According to Wikipedia, "Dog Days were popularly believed to be an evil time 'when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies' according to Brady's Clavis Calendarium, 1813." In Greensboro, yesterday was one of the DOGGONE hottest, muggiest days yet. Maybe there is something to those dog days! 

In the photo above, these dogs, getting acquainted at a recent Dog Walk, don't seem a bit concerned! Perhaps the beautiful canines (Sirius and Sirisita) are planning to meet at Greensboro's Bark Park, quite a popular canine destination! 

For ABC Wednesday, "D" is for "Dog Days."

 

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Lantana

Butterflies seem to love lantana. Here we see a female eastern tiger swallowtail enjoying a meal. You can tell it is a female because of the blue around the bottom of the lower set of wings. Female tiger swallowtails can also be black. This is the first time we got close enough to notice that the bodies are striped too. Lantana and tiger swallowtails both do exceptionally well in Greensboro. We planted lantana because the flowers turn into dark purple balls which eventually look rather silver. They add great visual interest to the garden and keep humans, AND butterflies, interested in them all summer long. Butterflies have contributed significantly to pollinating  our garden this year.

 

Praying.......Mantis

Today, we invite you into our garden (literally) to pause and reflect on nature. Here we see an insect known, in English, as the praying mantis. It is called a PRAYING mantis because when it holds it's two front legs together, it looks like it is praying. The scientific name Mantodea  and common name, MANTIS, come from the Greek word for prophet. As for why it is called a prophet, we do not know. 

What do you think of when you see these insects. Praying prophets? Do you see the beauty of nature and the world around you?  Do you see a tidy little bug that does no harm to your garden, yet devours bugs that are harmful to the garden? If you are a little cricket, stuck in the grasping, spiked forelegs, you might call this insect a PREYING mantis. Does you perspective change learning that the closest living relative of the mantis is a cockroach?  Like poets and writers have been saying since the Greeks in the 3rd century, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What beauty can you find today in your world?

 

Parisian Promenade

On Sunday, Greensboro Beautiful hosted the Parisian Promenade at Tanger Bicentennial Garden on Hobbs Road. Their blog describes the event to a T. " The Parisian Promenade recreates the sights, scenes, sounds and smells of a spring afternoon in Paris-- all in our own Bicentennial Garden. Sidewalk artists, strolling musicians, jugglers and sidewalk cafes are featured-- all within the colorful backdrop of the garden in bloom." You didn't have to have a poodle to attend; however, we dubbed this white, standard poodle as best of show. We also loved seeing the original art and talking to the artists. The accordion player was delightful. The food prepared by the culinary program at GTCC was fabulous. We also saw a trained cat, a woman on stilts, a game of giant lawn chess, a dog parade, and so many other delightful things.
 

We're trying this on Ruby Tuesday  (see the top bow).

 

Froggie Went A Courtin'

This year, frogs seem more abundant than in recent years.  We've got lots of frogs around our house and want them to stay happy and healthy. Therefore, we avoid using pesticides. With approximately 5,000 species, frogs are one of the most diverse, but threatened, groups of vertebrates. We spent a lot of time studying this frog before photographing from this angle. Judging by the whitish spots under the eyes of this frog on our door, this is a gray tree frog . The photo shows the translucence, permeability, and vulnerability of a frog's skin. Also, you can barely see it but between the frog's eye and extended right front leg, some bugs are using his skin as a host. 

Now that the days are longer and the weather warmer, we hope to capture more photos for Camera Critters. We're going to double dip and share this with our friends at Weekend Reflections! If you want to smile and have about a minute, click here to listen to Froggie went a Courtin'!

 

Ants & Peonies...

There is an old-timey saying that if you don't have ants on your peony bushes, they won't bloom. Truthfully, peonies don't need ants to open the blooms. However, peonies do emit a sweet sap that attracts ants. For us, ants and peonies just go together!  Like baseball and hot dogs, you can have one with out the other, but they just seem right paired up. 

To get rid of the ants, avoid insecticides. Carry the blooms upside down from the garden, shake gently, and dip in a bowl of cool water. Nothing says summer is arriving like a mason jar full of homegrown peonies-- and daisies, and chamomile and.............. ants!.

 

Dog Walk in Price Park on Saturday

If this sweet, obedient dog could talk, he would tell you to come to the dog walk at Price Park in Greensboro this Saturday (Registration Fee [$15], Check in 8-8:30; Prizes 9:30). Get up early, walk your dog on the nature trail, and have a chance to win some GREAT prizes. Local Girl Scout Troop 40172 has worked hard to make this event special for canines and their humans. 

From individual doggie water bowls, to T-shirts, to well marked trails and prizes, no detail has been missed. The trail begins in the parking lot of Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch Library off of Hobbs Road. The event will help the Guilford County Animal Shelter and their Foster Care Program. The following veterinarians' groups have supported this event financially: 

    --Gate City Animal Hospital, 

    --Greensboro Veterinary Hospital, 

    --Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital, 

    --Happy Tails Emergency Veterinary Clinic, 

    --Lawndale Veterinary Hospital,

    --West Market Veterinary Hospital

For our friends at ABC Wednesday , O is for Obedient!

 

Tails to Trails Dog Walk

 Girl Scout Troop 40172 is hosting "Tail to Trails" May 1 at Price Park in Greensboro as part of a Silver Award project. The event, near Kathleen Clay Edwards Library and Jefferson Elementary School, benefits the Guilford County Animal Shelter. Dog owners may bring their leashed dogs, walk the trails at Price Park, and support a worthy cause.  In addition to walking you dog, you can learn more about foster care for dogs and cats that aren't ready for adoption. These girl scouts have worked hard on this service-learning event and could really use our support!

Check in for the event on Saturday, May 1st is from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Prize drawings will be at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $13 before April 15 and $15 after April 15. Walkers should bring donations such as food, treats, toys, blankets and pillows for the shelter. The first 100 participants will receive a "Tails to Trails" T-shirt, doggy goodie bag and doggy bandana.  For information, to register, or to offer a donation, contact the troop leader: Mary Ann Wettach, (336) 547-8522 or mwettach@bellsouth.net.  

We're sharing this irresistible photo of Greensboro Pomeranian Bijou with our friends at camera critters.  Fortunately Bijou knows nothing about animal foster care; however, we bet she's giving a four-paws endorsement for this event!

 

Out Running

Saturdays in Greensboro are just perfect for going outside with a canine critter!  Here we see a man running along South East Greenway in the Sunset Hills neighborhood of town. Nearby, the city is busy working on expanding our city's trail system. We hope to get out this weekend and enjoy the new greenway. We just had the ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Also, Greensboro was featured on NPR this weekend because we will be one of two cities in the nation with such an extensive greenway/trail system.  Spring keeps trying to come to Greensboro and we are ready for it!

Today, we're sharing this photo with the camera critters meme.

 

(Bull)dog Day Afternoon

Sunday afternoon, people were out walking, enjoying the break in the weather. These dogs, their owners, and curious bystanders were all talking in front of Friendly Pets at Friendly Center. Bulldogs are gentle people lovers who enjoy daily walks and lots of human interaction. We had to chuckle at this picture because the dogs really did visit with each other. Lots of sniffing. However, by the time of this photo, they looked as if they were saying, "OK! Enough! Can we go now? Why do our people always have to stand around and talk?"

Thanks to that bright red leash, we're skidding into Ruby Tuesday , where people celebrate the color red.

 

got PIGEONS?

Walking downtown the other day, we spotted a feral pigeon hunting for food on the railroad tracks. Greensboro doesn't seem to have a pigeon problem and, in true pigeon character, those that are around seem to live downtown. If you love pigeons, chances are you know that the National Pigeon Association just held their national conference in Salt Lake City, Utah at the end of January! Seeing how fancy some of the specialty breeds are, our little old park pigeon would not garner much interest! Did you know that pigeons drink by suction and so, ideally, their water source should be at least an inch deep. Also, while pigeons are grain eaters, the feral/park pigeons have learned to eat just about anything humans toss out.

Pigeons and doves constitute the same bird family: Columbidae. Many people use the term interchangeably. However, North Carolina has a great tradition of dove hunting but not pigeon hunting-- at least not for food! Finally, the main differences is not in the birds but in the word origin.  "Dove" comes to English via German, "Taube," and "pigeon" comes from French, "pigeon."

 

Indu Convenient Store & Fanta City

Indu Convenient Store is located at the Fanta City, the Triad's International Shopping Center at 4925 West Market Street. Fanta City is a large complex for ethnic goods, foods and activities from saris to Colombian coffee, bubble tea and rice to Tae Kwon Do. Approximately 3 years old, Fanta City is one-stop-shopping for many different ethnic groups. The complex is truly a pan-global conglomeration of cultures. Additionally, Fanta City is a place to gather with family and friends and holds many different meetings and events. The red roof, arched doorways, and light stucco walls remind us more of Florida or California than Greensboro. 

We will feature other photos of Fanta City at a later time. Today, we chose this outdated calender at Indu Convenient Store to share with our Weekend Reflections friends and our friends over at Camera Critters (see the parrots?). The cars in the reflection were waiting patiently for Indu Convenient Store to open the day we were there! If you are from elsewhere, likely, you will feel a little nostalgia when walking through Fanta City!

 

Merry Chihuahua Christmas

Merry Chihuahua Christmas! Today, we feature Sassy the Chihuahua decked out in her Christmas garb. If you frequent Greensboro's Arts and Crafts festivals, likely, you have met Miss Sassy. She loves dressing up and traveling with her owners who sell wonderful vintage jewelry. We got tickled when we noticed that the fish necklace was as big as Sassy.

The chihuahua is a centuries-old breed originating in Mexico. It was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904. The AKC prefers that chihuahuas, the world's smallest breed, weigh between 2-4 pounds and Sassy is indeed within that range. If you attend a local craft show and see Sassy, please stop for a visit. Her owners are very nice and she loves the attention! Who knows, next time we feature her on GDP, she may be dressed up as a lepechaun, an Easter bunny, Uncle Sam...........

We are delighted to share her with the pet loving world on Camera Critters!!!