Greensboro Daily Photo

Produce Stands and the Flavors of Summer

Produce stands are a summer tradition in the South and they are plentiful in Greensboro this time of year. These side-of-the-road pop ups are a great place to stop and chat a while, unless of course vendors are super busy. By talking to the vendor, you can tell how the growing season has been, what is in season and what is not, and maybe even get some suggestions for recipes. Recently, the above stand has been at the Spears YMCA on Horse Pen Creek Road. Until this past week, they have had strawberries, but strawberries are out of season now. Blueberries and peaches are plentiful. 

The above produce was from Candor (Johnson Peaches if we remember correctly) which is located in Montgomery County. According to the 2010 census, the town of Candor only has 840 residents. However, come the third Saturday in July, which is July 21st this year, all of Candor will be celebrating the peach festival and peach EVERYTHING will be for sale. Until then, in Greensboro, we can all enjoy Candor/Sandhills peaches from the farmers markets and produce stands. Maybe we can even sneak off to Yum Yum to get some ice cream to go with those fresh peaches. By shopping locally, we are reminded that different foods have a season. Oh, the flavors of summer. 

Cabbage White Butterfly on White Echinacea

Summertime is Greensboro is such a great time to enjoy the local flora and fauna. As the summer solstice approaches and the hours of daylight are almost at peak for the year, there is so much to see and appreciate. In the above photo, a butterfly was settling in for the night, trying to blend in with the white cone flower. To the right of this scene is a cabbage patch and the larva of these butterflies are a serious pest to cabbage. Fortunately, the growing season for cabbage is over and we were able to harvest all of the cabbage before the invasion of the cabbage butterfly.

Insect-plant interaction is fascinating. Sometimes it is a good thing. For example, magnolia trees are pollinated by beetles. So, if you have a magnolia tree in your yard, you may notice beetles also. Sometimes, the relationship is not so great, as is the case with cabbage butterfly that comes to invade the cabbage patch. If you are sitting with your friends and family glued to their phones, have them investigate the flora and fauna and the dynamic interaction of the two. With all of the rain this spring, Greensboro is especially green and rich in vegetation.

Rainbow Over the Golf Course

Today's photo was taken at the golf course of the Greensboro Country Club along Carlson Dairy Road. While the farm course is extra thirsty due to having extensive landscaping done, most golf courses require generous amounts of water. The photo reminds us that when there is water, and the sun is angled just right, a rainbow forms. Rainbows can appear in unexpected places at unanticipated times. Let's all help each other find the rainbows even when the clouds loom large. Happy Sunday.

Hydrangeas Galore at 133 Paisley St.

In Greensboro, this has been an especially good spring for hydrangeas. The weather has been a bit cooler and sufficiently wet to make these beauties spring to life. Every year, this property at 133 Paisley Street, on the northwest edge of downtown has the most beautiful hydrangeas. The green shingled house appears to be rental property, but the landlord is diligent about mowing the lawn and keeping up with the landscaping. We keep hoping to see someone working outside, so we can ask about these beautiful hydrangeas. Does someone water and fertilize them. Or, do they magically find a way to care for themselves?

Here's to a weekend of admiring the beautiful plants that are blooming around Greensboro and to admiring all of the beautiful yards. If you are near Smith Street Diner, walk around the corner and have a look at these beautiful flowers. Happy Saturday, dear readers!

Iris Season in Greensboro

Just when it seems like winter is finally behind us, iris season is almost over in Greensboro. The irises have been blooming beautifully over the last couple of weeks, and now, the are ready to let go of their glorious blooms. Actually Schreiner's Iris Farm in Oregon has mapped out the bloom season, explaining that some varieties bloom early and some late, with a total blooming time at about six weeks. They can start as early as mid-march and last into June. Worldwide, there about 200 species of bearded irises. The are perennials and easy to grow. Iris was the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and the name fits as there are iris blooms of about every color- and size. If you are looking to decrease the amount of grass in your yard, as well as the need to water, yet you want some color, iris plants are a good choice. 

The above photo features one variety of bearded iris in a Greensbor yard. If you know of any iris gardens in Greensboro, let us know so we can get out to photograph them. They are very photogenic. Last week, we shared a photo of chard, spinach, and cabbage (it is still growing strong and producing servings of green, leafy vegetables). Perhaps, subconsciously, Wednesday is nature day on Greensboro Daily Photo.

 

Piedmont One Mic Acoustic Convention

The first annual Piedmont One Mic Acoustic Convention (#POMAC) was held this past weekend about 45 minutes southeast of Greensboro in Franklinville, NC.  Last year, Mark Dillon (playing guitar above) presented the idea to the Franklinville Town Council and they were eager and agreeable from the start. Once permission was granted and funding was arranged, Mark and members of the Piedmont Old Time Society began planning the festival. Thankfully, committee members had a lot of experience attending festivals and took great care to make POMAC enjoyable for musicians and spectators alike. Thanks to festival costs being underwritten by Franklinville for this first year, the festival was free and prize money was awarded to individuals and bands in a wide variety of musical categories.

Franklinville, formerly a thriving cotton mill community, is now a sleepy little town, located along the Deep River in eastern Randolph County. The venue was just perfect, with the Deep River as a backdrop and the viewing area on a natural slope with all views leading to the stage. Plans are already in the works for POMAC 2019. To learn more, check in from time to time at the Piedmont Old Time Society's website, here.

Cold Gardening in Greensboro

As the world becomes more aware of sustainable practices, small-plot, home gardening is gaining more traction. The above photo features part of a cold-weather garden planted in a yard in northwest Greensboro in late March. The beauty of cold-gardening is that the plants are cold resistant, and the growing season happens before bugs overrun the garden and start eating the plants. After a month, the small garden has already produced several servings of spinach and chard. The cabbage looks healthy, indicating that it will soon produce heads. There are no signs of insects.

With winter finally behind us in Greensboro, it is not time to plant summer gardens. Please consider filling your property with as much produce as possible. Vegetables and greens look lovely planted among the flower beds. Working the dirt is good for the soul. Plus, gardening can help you get to know your neighbors. Perhaps you want to offer them a little gardening space. Perhaps you can garden and they know how to can; you both get vegetables for the winter. Perhaps you can give them some garden space in exchange for house sitting on your beach weekends. Best of all, perhaps you can share the produce when 100 tomatoes are ripe at once. Happy Wednesday! It is a good day to plan your garden.

Greensboro Astronomy Club

One of the best ways to hook students on science is to expose them to it early. In the above photo, members of the Greensboro Astronomy Club are showing the curious, young and old alike, about a world that is not always visible with the naked eye. They were set up in Price Park at Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch Public Library during Greensboro's recent Earth Day event.

The Greensboro Astronomy Club meets at the Greensboro Science Center. Monthly, a group of kindred spirits gathers to observe and discuss astronomical events. Members are very generous in sharing equipment and expertise. Their next meeting will be Friday, May 18th at 7:30pm at the Greensboro Science Center on Lawndale. If life from the earth to infinity and beyond, this may well be the perfect group for you.

Yellow House at the Corner of Meadowood and Greenview

Nothing says spring like a bright yellow home and bright pink azaleas. Built in 1962, this three bedroom, two bath split level home reflects an architectural style popular in the mid-20th century. This design makes it possible for the adults to be in one part of the house and the teenagers to hang out in another.  The home is located in the Friendswood neighborhood at the corner of Meadowood Street and Greenview Drive, just off Wendover Avenue. You can tell the owners take great pride in the home by the meticulous trim on the azalea, essentially turning it into a hedge.

The gnarly tree on the left is at least as old as the home. It adds charm and character to the lot, reminding us that plantings of all ages have a purpose in landscape. Consider it an overgrown bonsai. If you take Meadowood on your trek two and from Wendover, Sam's Club, or Costco, keep an eye out for this cheerful house. Surely, people who would paint a house bright yellow are cheerful, too.

Even google maps captured the pink square hedge on his house!

Spring Blossoms

 

The cherry blossoms have reached peak in Washington, D.C. and, while Greensboro may not be brimming with sakura blossoms, the blossoms of spring are lovely here. Greensboro has rolling blossoms. Early bloomers include redbud and tulip magnolia, flowering trees like pear and cherry; then come the dogwood and azalea. The above photo shows blossoms on a long stretch of road in northwest Greensboro. As of this week, the lilac are starting to bloom.

This past Saturday, April 7, parts of Greensboro saw snowflakes late at night, reminiscent of the blossoms in the photo. On occasion, every several years, it snows in April in Greensboro. According to the records of the National Weather Service, it has never snowed in Greensboro in May. * Is it too hopeful to assume Greensboro has had its last snow for the year? The blossoms and light in the above photo exude a translucent crispness. The jacket and hat of the man walking his dog indicate that it is a cool spring day. How wonderful to enjoy a walk along a road with no signs of traffic, not uncommon in Greensboro if you get away from the main roads and plan your walks when it is not rush hour. Happy Tuesday!

*see record snowfalls for Greensboro, National Weather Service records, here.

 

 

 

 

Living the Good Life On Walker Avenue

This house on Walker Avenue, in the heart of Lindley Park, is all dressed up for spring. The home is impeccably maintained and the yard has great curb appeal. The owners are nice, neighborly folks, who came out to strike up a chat as we were photographing their flowers. They planted the above tulip bulbs last fall and, this week, the flowers are in full bloom. The tulips provide a great accent to the stone wall.

The house, built in 1928, while only a little over 1,600 square feet, has that wonderful front porch where the owners can enjoy each other and their neighbors on warm afternoons and evenings. Today's photo speaks volumes about life in Lindley Park. From the Arboretum to Bestway, Lindley Elementary School, all the shops, and homes in between, spring has sprung in Lindley Park, and the yards are looking glorious.

Spring Blossom Time

Since the weather forecasters are hinting at a wintry mix for Greensboro on Wednesday, today might be a good day to provide a "blossom status" for the community. Greensboro is ready for spring and, after such a sunny afternoon, yesterday, blossoms are sprouting out everywhere. The above blossoms are budding on the shrubs at Deep Roots Co-Op on Eugene Street in Downtown Greensboro. It is hard to believe that this photo was taken in a parking lot on a busy street. 

On Saturday, Joymongers Brewery Company, Deep Roots' next door neighbor, was bursting at the seams with people out celebrating St. Patrick's Day. In the meantime, Deep Roots was offering parking for $5 a car for those headed to the brewery. However, for those who were at the lot to shop for healthy food, or to take photos of blossoms in the lot, parking was free.  

Take time to zoom in and appreciate these special signs of spring in Greensboro. Happy Monday!

Starmount Drive

This house on Starmount Drive, just off of Holden Road, is a prime example of just how beautiful Greensboro is this time of year. On a sunny day, houses simply exude beauty and warmth. This house, built in 1955, has been extended and renovated and is now over 4,000 square feet. Stephen Jobe was the architect of this home that has many custom features, like the dormer and the rounded mahogany front door, that give it lots of curb appeal.

The Starmount Forest neighborhood is located near Friendly Center, Sternberger Elementary, Starmount Country Club, a park, and more. The Starmount name is the English translation of "Sternberger", a very prominent Greensboro family. Emanuel Sternberger was a merchant from South Carolina who moved to Greensboro and joined the Cone Brothers in the production of flannel. Today, the neighborhood, school, street, and Tannenbaum Sternberger Foundation are just a few of the many ways their legacy and impact on Greensboro is remembered today. If you have time this weekend, consider getting lost in one of Greensboro's neighborhoods. You will see so many lovely homes.

Mighty Tendril

On any given day at the Yanceyville Curb Market, you can find farmers from age 20 to 80 selling their produce, and the farmers at The Mighty Tendril are on the younger end of the continuum. The mighty Tendril is owned by a young couple, who bill themselves as business and life partners- Emily and Adam. According to their website, Emily and Adam met at UNC Chapel Hill, where they became committed to healthy and locally sourced food. After graduating, they began farming and, in 2017, moved their operation, The Mighty Tendril, to Cedar Grove, just north of Mebane.

Every Saturday, The Mighty Tendril sets up a table at the Yanceyville Curb Market. You never know what intriguing vegetables they will bring and Emily and Adam are always so enthusiastic when talking about customers about fresh vegetables. The above photo features flowers that they brought to sell last weekend. Their bouquets are vibrant and always freshly picked. It is nice seeing farmers, young and old alike,  living their dream. This new generation of farmers is as passionate about farming as the older generation. Next visit, we’ll have to get a photo of them, if we can find a time we’re not interrupting their time with customers.

Blooming Trees at L&O Body Shop on Burlington Road

Imagine driving back from Raleigh on I-40 West on a Friday afternoon when the traffic is bumper to bumper, getting off on Mt. Hope Church Road in McCleansville and seeing this beautiful scene. These trees are located on  Burlington Road on the lot of L&O Body Shop. The scene was so beautiful and peaceful, we had to pull into L&O's parking lot to sit and take in this beautiful sight. If you could see a 360 view, you would find somebody jumping a car. You would see workers trying to finish up work at a decent time on a Friday afternoon. You would see workers doing a double take, wondering if our car was there for service. L&O has been repairing car bodies, from fender benders to nearly totaled, since 1980. They are one of those businesses that you might not notice, until you need their services. But, those trees in full bloom, against a bright blue sky, command attention.

We also featured a nature shot on Greensboro Daily Photo yesterday, and don't want to go overboard with nature photos. However, spring is arguably the season when Greensboro is at peak beauty. Residents (and even car body shops) take great pride in their landscaping. We hope you don't mind our indulging our love of photographing signs of spring in Greensboro. Greensboro's natural beauty is worthy of this extra attention!

Tulip Magnolias Bloom and the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament 2018

The tulip magnolia, also known as mulan magnolia, it starting to bloom in North Carolina. With so many plants starting to bloom now, we've got to hope that they don't get too beaten down by rain. According to the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, sugar maples should start blooming in the Piedmont this week too.

This is a busy weekend for Greensboro. Tonight is First Friday, so downtown will be lively. Also, the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is in full swing at the Coliseum, culminating with the championship game to be played on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. We should all go out and support this series; no only because it is good basketball, but we want to show that Greensboro is a great basketball town. After all, spring and basketball tournaments just seem to go together. Happy Friday!

New York Pizza

Happy March 1st. The New York Pizza building is an interesting one. At one point, it was a gas station, and then Buffalo's, and now NY Pizza. As seen in the above photo, the metal facade reflects the setting sun, always managing to look shiny and polished. To the right, an outdoor seating area has been added on. To the side and behind the building are lovely trees already blossoming and in their full glory. They have been like this all week, which seems a little premature since there can still be ice storms in March. The blossoms are there for all to enjoy and are a sure sign of spring.

Yesterday's view of the construction at 2704 Battleground Avenue was taken from this parking lot. The road to the left is Martinsville Road. At one time, it must have lead all the way to Martinsville, Virginia. For now, it is a fast way to get from Battleground Avenue to Pisgah Church Road at Lawndale. Greensboro has many great establishments for pizza and NY Pizza is one of them.

 

February Weather

Overheard in Greensboro recently, "There is a reason February is the shortest month of the year. It is so dreary." The above photo features a field just north of Greensboro near the Highway 220/Highway68 split. Local temperatures hovered in the low 30's. It was trying ver hard to freeze and the threat was significant enough to cancel many local church services. The scenery is rather beautiful, as long as you don't have to drive or, at the very least, have a reliable four wheel drive. The white of the slush brings the straw gold and pine greet to life on an otherwise dreary day. 

The end of the day, Greensboro was gifted a beautiful sunset. Let's see what today brings.... possibly a lot of people moving slowly and sluggish, post Super Bowl. Greensboro's sports bars had hefty crowds, in spite of the weather. Happy Monday, dear readers, in Greensboro and beyond.

Springlike Weather on Carlson Dairy

Yesterday in Greensboro, the temperature rose to 50 degrees. After a mostly-rainy Sunday, the sunny Monday afternoon felt like spring was giving our community a visit. The above photo was taken just off Carlson Dairy Road on the Farm Course of Greensboro Country Club. Nine years ago, this course had a six million dollar renovation. British golf course architect, Donald Steel, redesigned the par-72 course. It is the longest course in Greensboro and is said to be one of the longest in the state.

Over the last few decades, country clubs have evolved to emphasize being family friendly and having something for everyone in the family-- tennis, golf, swimming, social events, great meals, and more. Even if you don't play golf, or belong to one of Greensboro's local country clubs, you can walk the perimeter and enjoy the views. Greensboro's many golf courses provide expansive views and are a great way to appreciate nature's great beauty. Look at that blue sky that provides a great backdrop to that lovely field. Before we know it, indeed, spring will be here.

Snow Day

Yesterday morning, the predicted snow fell, and then some. Not only was school cancelled, it was not even an optional teacher workday. People were advised to stay put and Greensboro was silent. It seemed as if there were as many cancellations as places open. Uncharacteristically, even more snow fell than was predicted. Even with electricity and access to programs for binge watching and social media for posting snow photos, people have been hinting at cabin fever. 

Hopefully the bird bath in the above photo will not crack and the fig tree will weather the storm. Fig trees aren't supposed to be subjected to temperatures below 20 degrees. Somehow each year, the manage to grow again. How are you spending your time? Are your pantries stocked?

Super Moon

Yesterday, we had a super moon, the full moon coincidee with its being at its closest point to the earth during its orbit. While this week's super moon was the largest for  2018, we will have an almost super moon on January 31st. Since it will be the second full moon in the month, it will be a blue, super moon. To add to it, there will be a total lunar eclipse that night in most of North America. Since a totally eclipsed moon usually looks red, it will be a red, blue, eclipsed almost-super moon. *  Surely, on the 31st, somebody in Greensboro can arrange a moon watching event. Any suggestions on the best vantage point to moon watch in Greensboro, with low light pollution?  

The above photo was taken last night at a private residence in Greensboro. In her book, The Bright Hour, Greensboro author Nina Riggs references an Emerson quote about a special first hour of morning and its effect on the body and soul ( reference ). There is a similar effect at that sapphire blue hour at twilight, when we must let go of the day and are reminded that the moon controls more than the tides. If you are interested in astronomical events and skywatching, consider joining the Greensboro Astronomy Club.

* reference and great information, here and here.

Winter Solstice & Turkey Vultures

Yesterday, December 21st, was the Winter Solstice which means that, in the northern hemisphere, days start getting longer. Greensboro adds one minute of daylight from now until January 7th at which point we gain two minutes a day of daylight. For some reason, the above scene reminds us of the barren and bleak aspects of winter. The above photo, taken in the countryside off Highway 220 near Stokesdale, shows a turkey vulture resting on a fence post between a barn and a row of evergreens. 

From the year 2000 to 2010, the turkey vulture population increased by 130 percent in North Carolina.* It isn't entire clear why the population is increasing. One thought is that since the deer population has increased and more dear are being killed by cars, the buzzards have easier access to food. They are also attracted to fields that have been freshly fertilized with manure.

These imposing birds have a wingspan of 5 feet or more. They look so powerful as they float through the air. In winter, with the leaves off of trees and shrubs, the buzzards are easier to see and their food sources (decaying carcases) are easier to spot.  In North Carolina, turkey vultures/buzzards tend to be sedentary, as opposed to migratory; so, we don't have much luck in getting them to migrate somewhere warmer during these cold, dark months. 

*reference and additional information, here.

Dang Skippy, Inc. at Daisy on Battleground Avenue

Stores within stores is a nationwide trend. Antique malls have long rented space to individual vendors. However, booths of new retail items, up-cycled items, and original artwork are appearing in large, repurposed retail spaces. Daisy's Designer Alley at 3121 Battleground Avenue, a few doors up from Lowe's, has attracted a great assortment of shops. The above photo features one of their newest vendors, Kier Skipper, who makes furniture, food serving boards, and other items out of reclaimed wood. He never cuts down a tree; he only harvests wood from trees that are already dead. In 2015, Skippy saved 700 trees; in 2016, 1,200; in 2017, 1,800. If the trend continues, we should expect him to save over 2,500 trees in 2018. He even has some reasonably-priced, scrap pieces that crafters could use for their own art projects. He tries to save every little bit of those hardwoods that get blown over in storms. Some of the wood is sealed with polyurethane and some is left natural. (Skippy says he can tell by the smell of the polyurethane how far along it is in the drying process).

We met up with Skippy as he was hauling in items for his booth. He is a U.S. Army veteran who enjoys his newfound career an a woodworker. Skippy still had quite a bit to load in when we left. Stop by his booth, Dang Skippy, Inc., and have a look at his great selection at Daisy. If you have some unique request, inquire at his e-mail address, barnpoles@gmail.com. It will be interesting to see where this new start-up venture leads him. If you are lucky, you will meet Skippy in person. He is optimistic, upbeat, easy to talk to, and always seems to be smiling.

Stream at Yanceyville Curb Market

As we enter the most "decoration and merchandise dense" time of the year, our brains really benefit from those calm slices of nature that show no signs mankind and technology. The above stream is located in front of the Yanceyville Curb Market, across from the old War Memorial Stadium. We have been monitoring its progress for years. The Sierra Club has been working to clean up the stream and to restore some native plants to the stream bed. All of their hard volunteerism is paying off. When we were there on Saturday, there was no sign of garbage in the stream.

It is hard to believe that the above photo was taken from the cement bridge at the farmers' market. It is as if we were in the middle of the woods at a state or national park. The blue, gray, brown, and black in the photograph really situate it in winter. The bog garden and our local lakes are also lovely this time of year. We hope you have a great weekend, that it includes a little bit of a nature walk. You deserve it. Happy Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving 2017

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are dining on good food with family and friends today. Word has it that turkeys were in good abundance this year which brought the price down. North Carolina ranks number 2 in turkey production in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thirty three and a half million turkeys were produced in NC. Minnesota was the only state producing more turkey than North Carolina. Poultry is a top agricultural industry, generating over 34 billion dollars in revenue for the state.*

The above photo features a plate of  food that was harvested entirely within 70 miles of Greensboro: peas and snaps (the shells of the peas that were too small to open), turnips, hot peppers, and greens. The protein is deer meat, not exactly the traditional Thanksgiving turkey. However, given North Carolina's deer population is over a million, we’re betting it could be a big revenue generator- if there were more of a commercial a market for it. About 125,000 deer were harvested this past hunting season, so somebody is eating deer meat. To be sure, it is sourced locally.

Regardless of what you have decided to serve today, enjoy your meal and make good fellowship. If you venture out shopping, be extra nice to those who have to work. Today, as always, we give thanks for you, dear readers.

*reference, News and Observer.

Pleached Hornbeam Walk at Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden

Today's photo was taken at the Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden on Main Street in Kernersville, about 12 miles west of Greensboro in the next county over. The promenade is actually a walkway, known as the Pleached Hornbeam Walk, installed in 2008 and sponsored by Fidelity Bank. It is hard to tell from this photo but the tree branches are entwined onto wire, growing more two dimensionally than three. Hence, the term "pleached." The hornbeam tree is actually in the birch family with "horn" referring to the hardness of the wood, and "beam", the Old English word for tree (German, baum). The elongated arrangement, seen above,  forms a lovely wall and it is as if you are surrounded by nature, even though the living wall is only one layer of trees.

Walking and sitting in silent meditation there was extremely peaceful yesterday. Although the winds were strong, taking photos was enjoyable, as pods and drying plants are glorious this time of year. The wind made photography challenging, but rewarding. On Sundays, we try to post something spiritual, inspirational, and reflective. Most everyone appreciates the spiritual aspect of walking in solitude, without the distractions of our hurried, technology driven world. If you need a respite, consider Ciener Garden.

 

Happy Friday!

Friday is upon us. The above photo features a little outbuilding in northwest Greensboro. It is surrounded by kudzu, briars, an overgrown garden, and hardwood trees.  Fall is a time when the scruffy look of fallen leaves and plants that have gone to seed add to the character of the season. The warm colors of the leaves make the little white building stand out and invite exploration.

We hope you have a great weekend and find a little time to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Greensboro's trails are lovely and inviting this time of year. If you like to shop, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so in Greensboro this weekend. Merchants have filled the stores with inventory and are working their hardest to encourage us to shop locally.

However, if you do indulge in retail therapy, please try to find a little time to steal a little solitude, a spot of your own...

 

Late Afternoon Light

Yesterday afternoon, if you happened to be outside around 5:00 p.m., you might have noticed those glorious skies in Greensboro. The above photo does not feature any noteworthy landmarks and you can't necessarily tell it was taken in Greensboro. However, the purple to blue to white sky as a backdrop to the orange and gold leaves was spectacular. As we walked along Mill Street, towards Kick Back Jacks and Starbucks, even without the best vantage point, it was as if the sky were glowing. Times like this, we pause, click, and appreciate the beauty around us.

When the drab, dark, gray days of winter are upon us, we are especially thankful to have enjoyed glorious days like yesterday. Living in a city with four distinct seasons, especially in one where the winters aren't too brutal, makes us ever grateful. North Carolina has about 655 species of trees, shrubs, and woody vines that contribute to a glorious leaf show in autumn.* But this time of year, it is hard to beat the colors of the majestic maple trees.

*reference

Spider Season

Spider season is upon us in Greensboro! The above photo is of argiope aurantia, a black and yellow garden spider. This is a female as her body is quite large. These colorful beauties are common in gardens, forest edges, and old fields. They spin round orb webs and decorate them with a bold, trademark zig-zag, which is known as a stabilimentum*  (something that is a stay, support, or point of stability). The above spider was smart enough to scurry out of the way when we came to photograph, but in less than five minutes, she returned to her place in the sun, a prime spot for catching insects on this warm, fall day. Garden spiders eat other spiders and other pesky insects, so, while they may seem creepy, they are actually helping control the bug population. 

If you read Charlotte's Web, you know that around the time of the state fairs, spiders need to spin their webs, lay their eggs, and prepare to die. They is why they are so active this time of year. Did you know that many orb weavers eat their web at the end of the day, rest, and spin a new web in the same location. Spiders are so interesting and fun to study. If you have any children in your life, we encourage you to let them use their imagination and spider watch. Good, free, imagination-building fun is alive and well, right here in Greensboro, North Carolina.

*reference and more information about spiders of North Carolina, here.

Great Egrets on Lake Brandt

Walking on the nature trails at Bur-Mil Park and on over Lake Brandt will only get more and more breathtaking over the next couple of months. The above photo features a great egret in a tree waiting over the lake, waiting for the perfect moment to swoop down and capture breakfast. Egrets are great fishermen. Like the herons, they like their solitude. On the day we were walking last week, this egret was by himself. However, another egret was in sight on the other side of the lake. Great egrets have held their own, with respect to population because their habitat extends beyond the coastal area, well into the other regions of North Carolina. The snowy egret, on the other hand, resides mostly on the coast of North Carolina and their population has decreased 70% since the 1990s. 

If you like learning about birds of North Carolina, here is a great site. These egrets usually only stick around our area through October. So, if you want to see them, put on your walking shoes. They are fun to watch and photograph.

We hope you are having a great Thursday and remember, they say Thursday is the new Friday!

Eaton Farms

Eaton Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze is located on Highway 150 between Oak Ridge and Kernersville. According to Buzzfile, they have been operating for approximately 40 years and they operate primarily as a tobacco farm. However, if you drive by in the springtime, they are growing strawberries. We aren't sure what the above crop is as it is too late for pumpkins, which are already on store shelves. Maybe it is a cold weather crop like greens. At first glance, driving by quickly, the rows, of slightly raised beds, looked like fields of lavender. The barn in the background, with the plywood pumpkin prominently displayed, is the first stop for shoppers and visitors.

We'll have to stop back when the maze is in full swing. The popularity of "breakout" games, where teams of people work together to break out of places by solving clues, will likely add to the frenzy for groups to try their luck at corn mazes. Corn mazes and pumpkin patches can generate great revenue for farms by attracting tourists and people who would not otherwise go to a farm. Being outside is such a healthy activity for people- if you can encourage them not to use their phones, but to enjoy all that is to be seen in nature.

Blue Heron on Lake Brandt

This blue heron on Lake Brandt seems like he might be just a little bit too friendly.  As we stood on the trail, just south of Owls Roost near Bur-Mil Park, he started walking towards us. These imposing, blue wading birds have been increasing in North Carolina since the 1980s. They are now found in about every county, except those in the mountains. However, blue herons are not as abundant in North Carolina as they are in the counties east of us. They like wetlands and can live by fresh and salt water. They like to nest in live trees that are standing in water, which is precisely where we saw this bird fly to, when he heard the rattle of the boards on a wooden bridge on the trail. In Guilford County, the herons are year-round residents. They are about four feet tall and have nests that are often four feet wide.

It is so nice to walk and bike on Greensboro's trails this time of the year. Sights like this great blue heron are out waiting for all to enjoy; it is not too hot. Autumn is upon us and, soon, leaves will be changing colors and falling to the ground. We hope you have time to enjoy the weather while it is still warm outside. Happy Monday!

And the Fog Rolled In

Greensboro was spared the high winds and strong rains from Hurricane Harvey and Irma.  We did receive rain, and yesterday afternoon, the fog rolled in. The above photo features the fog hovering over the Greensboro Country Club's Farm Course. This 18-hole, private course has been open since 1963. The total yardage for the course is 7,302 yards, close to a mile and a half long, and making it the longest golf course in Guilford County. While private golf courses do not want people walking on them who are not golfing, usually, they are appointed in a way that it is easy to map out a walking course in the neighborhood near them. Just looking at the above course makes our pedometer add steps.

The above scenery is reminiscent of an English moor, with low growing vegetation and grasslands. The fog softens the horizon and it almost feels like you can reach out and touch it. With the fog came warmer temperatures last night. Greensboro was in the high 60's yesterday and it is supposed to get close to 80º today. If you do monitor the steps you take, today is a good day to walk. With Greensboro's beautiful scenery, walking is a restorative activity. Come walk with us!

Signs of Autumn

The rains over the last few days have brought in signs of fall. Temperatures have dropped, days are getting shorter, and trees are hinting of color change. Persimmons are one of those seasonal foods, only available in the fall. The above persimmons are starting to ripen. Soon they will have transitioned from bright green to a vibrant, dark orange. They are Asian persimmons, not native to the USA and they don't need a first-frost to ripen and to temper the astringent bitterness of the local variety. Native persimmons, much smaller and seedier, need a good frost to sweeten them up. While we are losing native persimmon trees to land development in Guilford County, in the more rural areas, you can find persimmon trees. 

The Colfax Persimmon Festival will celebrate its 10th year on November 4th from 10am to 4pm. This celebration grows in size every year. The native persimmon was a favorite of Native Americans. If you've ever had persimmon pudding, you know it is a taste like no other. It is hard to do anything with it commercially as the seeds are time-consuming to extract and the ratio of fruit to seed favors the seed over fruit. So, start asking at the farmers' markets and, by all means, attend the festival.

Let's hope we can keep summer around for a few more weeks, especially while all of Greensboro is celebrating the National Folk Festival this weekend!

We Are All ALIKE We are all DIFFERENT

This weekend, on an urban walk along Spring Garden Street, the above plants were spotted near Spring Garden Street on Holliday Drive, just behind Spring Garden Bakery. They are the same plant, but at very different stages of growth. The purple one is drying up, the yellowish one is younger. They reminded us of the juvenile non-fiction book, written in 1991, by Cheltenham (PA)  Elementary School. The book about culture, diversity, and individuality is aptly titled, "We Are All Alike We Are All Different. It reminds us of the importance of embracing diversity. 

Last night, a candlelight vigil was held in Greensboro to mourn the violence in Charlottesville and to stand in solidarity for social justice. Look at how much prettier this photo is with the two flowers being completely different colors. They are alike; they are different- just like us.

Each year, Greensboro becomes increasingly diverse. The website of the City of Greensboro has the following population data: White 44.2%, Black 41.1, Hispanic 7.8, Asian 4.0, and the other categories making up a few percent* Working together, embracing differences, and treating each other with dignity, will be what it takes to thrive in the 21st century. These are serious times.

* reference.

 

Miniature Horses

Greensboro and Guilford County are known for having horses. We are one of the State's counties with the most horses. The above photo was taken just outside Greensboro, near Oak Ridge, on a farm where they have miniature horses, at Westergaard Kennels and Dog Boarding. In addition to raising golden retrievers and boarding dogs, the kennel also raises miniature horses on their 15 acres.

It is hard to tell the above horses are not full sized, as there is nothing to reference, other than the fact they are shorter than the fence. They are usually about 3 feet tall or less. Miniature horses can live up to about 35 years; so, if you get one, you are committing to a pet that will span generations. Miniature horses tend to be friendly and interact well with people.  The photo below features one that really tried to befriend us. 

Tobacco Field

In North Carolina, tobacco has been a successful cash crop and central to our state's agricultural history. In North Carolina, tobacco growing dates back to the mid 1600s, as it was one of the few crops that grew well in the dry, sandy soil. The above field is an example of soil quality the Sandhills and even here, in the Piedmont. The above tobacco is planted out West Market Street, near the Guilford/Forsyth County line. 

Over the past decades, North Carolina has been moving away from its agricultural industry, with more emphasis on the industrial and service oriented sectors. There was a day when virtually every community in Greensboro, and the surrounding areas, had parcels of land planted in tobacco. Now, the crop is not nearly as easy to find and employment in tobacco. Between 1992 and 2012, employment in the tobacco industry has declined by almost 50%*

As you can see from the above photo and the insert below, tobacco ripens from the bottom up. The bottom leaves have already turned yellow. If you want the leaves to grow larger and thicker, you need to cut off the flowers before they open. Trimming directs the energy to other parts of the plant. Most North Carolina children who live on tobacco farms have had the chore of working the fields and helping in the process. The tobacco in the photo has a lot of flower buds.

This weekend would be a good one to take a drive around the rural parts of Greensboro to look for tobacco fields, old tobacco barns, and other traces of our agricultural history.

 

*reference, here.

Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtle is a beautiful tree/shrub and has been especially popular on the suburban lots of Greensboro. There was a time in the 1990s when virtually every new home came with a crepe myrtle bush as part of the landscaping. Many crepe myrtle never reach full height as they get brutally lopped off. The above crepe myrtle has reached tree height, growing well above the roofline on this suburban lot.

As you can see, where there is a crepe myrtle in bloom, there is a mess. Those blooms shower anything and everything in their path. The crinkled, crepe-like flowers keep blooming all summer. In the fall, the tiny leaves take on a showy display of color before they... you guessed it... drop, all over driveways, vehicles, gutters, rooftops and anything else in their path. The blooms of white crepe myrtle resemble snow. 

While native to the Indian subcontinent, they sure find themselves at home in Greensboro. 

Sunflower

From Tuscany and Provence to the Biltmore Estate, to the Triad, and the rest of the sunflower-growing world, sunflowers exude warmth and happiness. The above sunflower was photographed on a front lawn on Joyner Street in College Hill. As you can see, it has not yet gone to seed. Once the center pod turns to seed, you know summer is fleeting. Right now, the heads of the sunflowers on Joyner Street are still perky and perfectly formed. As they mature, they will droop to protect the seeds from the elements. Eventually, they will turn brown and dry out, but the seeds will be tasty.

If you go to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, you will see a field of sunflowers, a contrast from the formal gardens. Biltmore has over 100 acres dedicated as a wildlife food plot and the sunflower garden is a large part of that garden. Bumblebees, songbirds and doves are especially attracted to sunflowers. If you plant sunflowers in your yard, you will bring so much joy to not only wildlife but to people like us, who walk around looking for signs of Greensboro's seasonal beauty. If you get a chance, drive around the block from South Mendenhall and Joyner Street and see some beautiful old homes and nice flower gardens. This sunflower will be waiting for you (and the birds)! Happy Friday!

 

Flowers in Lindley Park

The south end of Lindley Park backs up to Spring Garden Street and extends to Holden Road. The above photo features a gentleman watering the cone flowers around the sidewalk at the part of Lindley Park near the entrance sign on Willowbrook Drive. The view is beautiful at this bend. And on sunny days, butterflies, bees, and birds, can be seen enjoying this flower garden.

The founder of Lindley Park, John Van Lindley (1838- 1918) was a pomologist and nursery person. He owned over 900 acres in this part of town and just west of here, before it was incorporated into Greensboro, when it was known as Pomona. He also donated 60 acres for a recreation complex, which is located near the above photo. At one time, Mr. Van Lindley had over 22,000 customers in his nursery business. He had more customers than Greensboro had residents at that time. Were he alive today, he would be proud of the unidentified gentleman above who is working hard to ensure the neighborhood flora thrives! You have to admire the fact that he is watering by hand, being careful not to waste any water.

Stop back by in the fall. Once these coneflowers go to seed, goldfinches will be plentiful.

BY THE WAY: Stop at the Corner Market this Saturday morning (at the corner of Walker and Elam) and kids will be able to make slime. They are calling it Slime Day. Lindley Park is always doing something fun! You can shop for flowers, produce, arts and crafts, while the kids are making slime!