Greensboro Daily Photo

Greensboro Is In the Heart of Horse Country

Straw Hat used to be a sleepy road, tucked in between Jessup Grove Road, Lewiston, and Horse Pen Creek. This horse is proof positive that there used to be horses at the aptly-named Horse Pen Creek. These days, the area has been changing almost before our eyes. This horse has probably seen a lot of these changes. It has a big field back behind its house, but yesterday, he seemed interested in hanging out in the front yard, near Straw Hat, the old dirt road.

Perhaps the was curious about all of the athletes practicing soccer. Within a stone's throw are the Proelific Park fields, Caldwell Academy, and Northwest Pediatrics. The horse is in good company as Guilford County remains one of the top horse counties out of the 100 in North Carolina. If you love horses, you probably know about all of the stables and riding options in the Greensboro area!

Country Park in August

Country Park is such a dynamic place to be in August, especially on a sunny day. There are still several hours of daylight in the evening. People from all walks of life are out exercising, maintaining a safe distance, and in their family "bubbles". People are out walking dogs, riding bicycles, running, and exercising. In the background of today's photo, you can see a group lifting weights. In the foreground is one of the many painted turtles along the water's edge. This one is dedicated to Noah Chambers, an 11-year-old who was hit with a car, and died as a result, while trunk-or-treating. Noah's turtle reminds us that life can be fleeting and we need to do the best we can to be kind to each other and appreciate the beauty of life, family, and friendships. Those words will become very important as we get closer to the elections.

It is so to see people enjoying each other and the beauty of nature in Country Park. We didn't see any turtles we were walking the loop, but we did see a lot of birds. Please note that the park asks us not to feed the waterfoul. And remember, wherever you see waterfowl, bread is not good for them. With the abundant rain recently, there seems to be a lot for the birds to eat! Happy Wednesday, dear readers!

Canada Geese Alive and Well in Greensboro

At least once a year, we like to post a photo of Canada geese; they command such a presence in Greensboro. The above photo features a gaggle of Canada geese. They live at Home Depot at Brassfield. There is almost always a puddle of water in the corner near the drain by the lawn and garden section. Even when it hasn't rained, the birds can usually find water there.

Two of the populations in the Piedmont area of North Carolina migrate back to Canada in the fall. One group stays here year round. The year round population is growing and the migratory groups are decreasing. Canada geese mate for life, and they don't usually mate in the first few years. In 2015, the population reacted almost 6 million in the United States. If you are interested in their habits and habitat, read more, here.  

Deer

Can you believe it is the last day of July? Summer is fleeting. The above photo was taken last week in northwest Guilford County. Once you get out in the suburbs of Greensboro, white-tailed deer seem to be everywhere and fawns are still being born. The gestation period is 201 days and fawns can't be born too late in the season as they need to be mature enough to survive the winter. It is interesting to see how the doe leaves them hidden and then comes back to get them, which was the case in the above photo. If she has more than one, she leaves them in different places as a precaution.

The lifespan of a white-tailed deer can be from 6-14 years, but the average age is 4.5 years due to hunting, disease, and automobile collisions. Are there deer you recognize in your yard? Do you think it is the same ones? They are creatures of habit and tend to stay in their given territory. As we all stay closer to home, noticing wildlife is a great pastime. Have a great weekend and let us know if you spot any does with their fawn! 

Praying Mantis

At least once a summer, we like to post a photo of a praying mantis. This one is small; we're thinking it is a male. He has been seen several days behind the blueberry bushes, in the same spot when we water. We haven't seen him since the big rain at the end of last week. Did you know there is such a thing as a Carolina mantis? Read here, if you want to learn about them. We learned from when we posted a mantis photo back in 2010 that the word "mantis" is Greek for "prophet." Also, the praying mantis is a distant relative of the cockroach.

If you are out exploring or looking for that praying mantis, here is a list of the 980 bugs and other insects found in North Carolina. With a little effort, you are bound to find some of these creatures sooner or later. Perhaps you could consider keeping a list of all that you see over the next month. See here. If you do not live in Greensboro, or North Carolina, for that matter, you can search your state at the same site. If you have small children in your life, who knows, you just may have a budding entomologist on your hands!

Farmers Market at Providence Farm

Today, from 10am-1pm, Providence Farm will be holding their Farmers Market. It is located at 2569 Huffine Mill Road. Darryl and Joy Cobb, who live at the farm have a variety of products from local farmers, bakers, and crafters; including everything from eggs to goat cheese, to bread, and even bison meat. They have product menus at the gate and work very hard to keep you COVID safe. The farm has been in the Cobb family for over 200 years, but this is the first year Darryl and Joy have undertaken selling products to the public. Joy recently retired from teaching in the public schools and is able to dedicate more time to tending to all of the critters. They have horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, turkeys, and working dogs. Some of the animals, like the donkeys, are rescues; some have a home there until they can find homes (the potbellied pigs); some, like Mr. and Mrs. Tom Turkey have become pets and come running as the owners approach. 

If you have a chance, drive to McLeansville today and support this local business. Likely, Darryl will greet at the gate playing banjo music. If you love history, this website will tell you the history of Providence Farm, dating back to the  1700s, way before Greensboro became a town! The above photo features the gambrel roof barn, not the corner of the property where the food is sold. However, we just couldn't resist photographing the playful chickens. If you are asked to wait a few minutes to shop, ask Darryl to pick you a tune; the keys of A and D are especially popular with old-time musicians! Happy Saturday!

 

See, here for more information.

Beetles of Greensboro: Why Did the Beetle Cross the Road?

You never know what you will find on evening walks. This giant beetle, almost 2", was seen along Jessup Grove Road near Proelific Park. It looks like a female Hercules beetle, given the shape and size.  See #35 on these pictures of the 151 beetles of North Carolina.  The females look very different from the males  (see here). Hercules beetles can be green, gray, or tan. They feed on and live in rotting wood. So, if you want to create a habitat for beetles, don't clean all of the sticks and downed trees out of your yard.

There are about 400,000 species of beetles and they were around to pollinate even before bees; which is why they are the pollinators for magnolia trees. Why don't you hold on to the above list of beetles of North Carolina and see just how many different beetles you locally this summer.

As for the above photo, that giant beetle sure looks imposing on the side of the road.  We confess the above was just the outer shell of the beetle. Perhaps she had moulted. During the walk, a 7 year old boy was in his yard with his mom and we gave it to him. It was a hit, because, he immediately ran to show it to his friend next door. Ahhhhh, making memories in summer.

Regarding the title question, we'll never know why the beetle was trying to cross the road!

Sustainable Living in an Urban Area

In the side yard of the Proximity United Methodist Church, near Fourth Street and Vine, is a house that appears to be participating in many sustainable practices. They have a greenhouse in the backyard, chickens, and evidence of gardening and composting and recycling, and more. If you have ever tried self-sufficient, and sustainable practices, you know that it involves a lot of hard work. If you look in front of the bright green container on the right, mid-photo, you can see one of the chickens. If you could see beyond the plastic cover, you would see plants thriving. 

We hope to drive by sometime and see someone out to talk to their ideas and goals for their fascinating, backyard efforts. It would also to be interesting to know if they attend the church next door. Actually, they have a church across from them too. Happy Wednesday! 

Make Way for Goslings

It is that time of year when the non-migratory Canada geese have their young. Frequently in Greensboro, the adult geese are seen with their babies crossing major roads- like Battleground Avenue. The above gaggle lives in Bur-Mil park near the pond over the hill at the wildlife center. The open field and clear access to the water is a perfect habitat for them. Canada geese are very loyal to mate and family. Both parents are very involved in raising the goslings. Somehow, those goslings are hardwired to stay with their parents.

In the above photo, the male is bringing up the read. He is slightly larger than the female and more vocal. If you look at his beak, you can see that he is honking as we were getting a little too close, These can birds seem like pests, especially because of their droppings. However, the more you learn about their behavior, the more endearing they become. Is the mate gets sick or hurt, the other will remain with it, until the hurt bird gets better or dies. This loyalty is amazing.

Have a great week, dear readers. And please, if you see them on the move, make way for goslings!

Click here to see a really interesting bird website, and to see how vast the sighting of Canada geese is.

Assassin Bugs

Have you heard of assassin bugs? We spotted these in a tree in Greensboro. It is a tiny egg cluster about the size of a  quarter (25¢) and are attached to a tree about 4' off the ground. Assassin bugs have a killer sting to their prey. It is a predator that feeds on insects, including aphids, caterpillars, beetles, and more. Generally they are considered a friend to farmers and gardeners since they eat things that destroy crops. However, do not touch them as their sting is very painful to humans.

Nymphs are hatching now. They molt through several stages and curiously, they seem to stay near the egg cluster, unless when we checked a few hours after taking this photo more were being born. Nature is amazing to watch and definitely provides something fun to do while we are in quarantine. Learn more about Assassin bugs from the NC State Extension Service, here.

Happy Monday! Happy May! 

Leave It To Beavers

In case you wondered, beavers are alive and well in Greensboro. The above photo was taken at Lake Brandt this past weekend, just north of the Strawberry Road entrance to the greenway. Beavers, America's largest rodent, on average weigh 35-40 pounds, but can grow to 70 pounds. Beavers are found throughout North Carolina. They are known to frustrate humans because they can fell a tree in no-time. The above cedar didn't have a chance!

While humans might not want their property flooded or swampy as a result of a beaver dam, the dams can actually help control erosion and sedimentation and provide habitat for wetland wildlife (reference and more information, here). Beavers are highly prized for their pelts, meat, and the castor oil derived from their bodies. As long as they aren't doing any harm, it is best to leave these critters alone.

Airborne Blue Heron

You never know what you will see when out walking. Greensboro's three lakes (Higgins, Brandt, and Townsend) have their fair share of herons. The above photo shows a heron that had just left Lake Higgins, heading east. We suspect he was headed to Lake Brandt. In North Carolina, these birds are commonly seen in the Piedmont region and they are year-round residents. The blue heron is a large wading bird, and if you look at that silhouette, it is hard to imagine that this beautiful creature can fly. Look at those long legs. The wingspan can get to 6 1/2 feet and it can weigh over 5 pounds.

Truly, the blue heron is a magnificent creature, and it is amazing to be walking and see one fly right overhead. Enjoy your weekend folks; try to get outside, but, keep your distance.

Happy Earth Day, A Day Late

Yesterday, was Earth Day and we featured Nanny Foster, a lifelong Greensboro resident,  who is very conscious of the needs of the planet. Today, we feature a bird nest built in a holly tree in northwest Greensboro, not too far from Bur-Mil Park. The nest is a work of art with the twigs assembled in a way that makes the nest sturdy and perfect for baby birds. We're not sure what type of bird made it, but it is only about 5' from the ground and mostly made of sticks with a softer grass area in the middle. Perhaps it was made by cardinals. Do any of our readers have an idea?

At any rate, birds are very sensitive to pollution and pollutants.If we maintain an environment in which birds thrive, it will be a good place for humans, too. Today is Day 1 of the Piedmont Triad BioThon brought to us by Stormwater SMART. If you want to participate in this opportunity to document the beauty around you in Greensboro and share with the rest of us, look at their website, here.

Happy Earth Day, a day late; however, truthfully, every day should be Earth Day! The local BioThon lasts until June 19th, the last day of spring.

Friendly Avenue Baptist

Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, like the rest of the churches in Greensboro, is holding its services online today, as opposed to in person. For the young and tech savvy, this arrangement is not much of an issue. However, for the older members and the ones without internet access, the arrangement is a real hardship. Some members have attended for decades, rarely missing a Sunday. The origins of the church actually date to 1899, but the present building wasn't constructed until 1963. If you are interested in reading more about the history, see the website, here.

For those members who are really missing their church, not to worry. The geese have promised to keep a watchful eye for you. Happy Sunday!

Dogs of Greensboro:London

During this time of quarantine, many people with pets are getting to spend a lot more time with them. Greensboro residents love their dogs and cats. The above photo features London, a soft-coated Wheaton terrier who lives in the Westerwood area. In true Wheaton tradition, London is super friendly, energetic, and playful.  Something unique about London is that he loves to have his photo taken! He should model! We had to remind him that we were physically distancing and couldn't touch him (since we are not his owners).

Seeing people out walking with their canines is a little bit of a distraction from spending most of the day in the house- a good diversion for the dogs, the dog walkers, and the people passing by. However, it is important to remember to interact socially while also physically distancing. It is fun, though, to learn the names of the dogs of Greensboro. We give London a four paws up in personality and temperament and were so enthralled with him that we forgot to ask his owner her name. Happy Thursday.

Bees Swarming in Greensboro

 

Yesterday a swarm of bees relocated onto a small tree in our Greensboro backyard. What do you do when 10,000 bees come your way? You call a Guilford County beekeeper (website, here). Right on the beekeepers' website, they have a link where you can contact a member near you to relocate a swarm of honeybees. They even help you identify what kind of bees are swarming. 

The above photo shows Larry the Beekeeper capturing our swarm to relocate to his property. It took Larry about 45 minutes to get all 10,000 bees, including the queen. He did not get stung once, nor did we, and we were very close. Larry was very helpful in answering all of our questions about catching bees, why they swarm, how they decide it is time to leave their initial hive, and on and on and on. Larry belongs to the beekeepers groups in three counties and was the first to respond to our call. We called three keepers. All three wanted them! If you have a swarm on your property, please do not spray them. Call a beekeeper. They will gladly relocate the hive for you. Larry first started keeping bees 38 years ago. Having been raised in eastern Guilford County, in farm country, he learned a lot about gardening and the importance of pollinators. He wants his children and grandchildren to learn the value of sustainable agriculture, which requires sustaining pollinators! Thank you, Larry. We are confident you will take good care of our bees.

Pets of Greensboro: Max the Bunny

As we all spend more time at home and fewer options for leisure time are available, it is a good opportunity to give pets extra attention. If you don't have a pet, perhaps you could consider fostering on from one of the Guilford County animal shelter/rescue groups. Often rabbits are available because people don't realize how messy they are or that the fur can irritate allergies.

However, rabbits can make very sweet pets. They recognize their caregiver, come when called, and jump for joy when treated right. The above bunny is about 6 years old now and originally came from Friendly Pets in Friendly Center. She had hopped into the bin with the male rabbits. It was discovered that Max is female when she was taken to Sheets Pet Clinic on Chimney Rock Ct. to be neutered. Sheets called to say that she would be spayed! Sheets is very reasonably priced and does a lot to get cats, spayed/neutered and adopted.

Consider giving a pet a home or spending extra time with your existing pets as you readjust your schedule over the next few months. As we photographed Max, she was doing a bunny binky (joyful jump-spin). She was so happy to be out of her cage and spending time with her owner.

Horse Farm on Pleasant Ridge Road

Spring is trying to come to Greensboro. Although it is rainy today, the temperatures should reach the mid-50s. The above photo features the High Silver Texas Paint Farm on Pleasant Ridge Road at Stanley Huff Road. The horses grazing and waiting for dinner is such a beautiful sight. Many of the horses are being boarded and some belong to the owner of the farm. 

If you want to take lessons, you can contact the owner, Jody Hinshaw. Riding horses is not just a pastime, it is a lifestyle. For riders, everything from the barnish smells, to the attire, to the before and after work to keep horses healthy, all add to the allure of the sport. When you drive by and see these well-cared-for horses on this farm, you will be very tempted to give the sport a try. Just look at those beautiful faces...

Cows on Stanley Huff Road

In  the first year of Greensboro Daily Photo, we photographed these  cows  on Stanley Huff  Road, near  Bunch Road.  It is nice to know that twelve  years later, cows  are still there.  If you consider how much Greensboro  has changed over  the last decade, and how much rural  acreage  has  been  developed,  it is  pretty amazing this pastureland is  still farmed. Just  across  the street  are the modern,  energy-efficient  homes of Gary Jobe. 

The cow  in the front of the photo published  previously on GDP appears to  have longer horns than the one above; however,  it  could be that the ones today aren't as close. As best  we  can tell,  these cows  are  Scottish  Highland  kyloe and a group of them is called  a fold. Change can be  good, but it can  be comforting to see  something on an ongoing  basis. Curiously, these  kyloe seem more likely to be  in the front field  when  it  is a  cold, rainy,  winter day.

Vultures Galore

October opens with a photo of the vultures roosting on the tower at the corner of Old Horse Pen Creek Road and 220 North Battleground. Right behind the CVS, on the northeast corner of the intersection, the tower is full of vultures.  On the east coast, vultures are expanding their range and they have moved here by the dozens. Vultures can be a nuisance, but they are part of the ecosystem, devouring animals that get killed on the road. Vultures are social, monogamous, and maintain strong social bonds throughout their lives. Basically, while they loom above Battleground, waiting for their next meal, they are having a good time enjoying each other's company.

We learned that in flight, a group of vultures is a kettle; resting, they are a committee; when devouring a carcass, they are wake. When we were there, the committee was settled in for the night. Have you noticed them anywhere else in Greensboro? 

Field of Cows

Today's photo features a field of Angus cows on Pleasant Ridge Road across from Summerfield Farms. They look healthy, are tagged, and seem to enjoy grazing in the field. Angus is the most popular breed of cattle in the United States. The Aberdeen Angus were first introduced here from Scotland in 1873.*  They look so beautiful and peaceful in the field.

Greensboro families love to go tot he beach and the mountains for Labor Day. However, if you are in town today, consider driving out to Summerfield Farm at 3203 Pleasant Ridge Road. From 3-5pm today, they will be having an the Labor Day Soiree Tractor Rides from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. It will be so much fun and, you just may get to see these beautiful cows across the street!

*reference.

Pickerel Frog

As gardens are winding down in Greensboro, wildlife seems to be abundant. The above photo features a pickerel frog hiding on a hosa leaf. The Piedmont is a key habitat for the pickerel frog. They have skin secretions that are toxic to many of their predators*; however, they perform a very important service in your garden, eating all of those mosquitoes, gnats, and bothersome flies. If you have them in your garden, it probably means that you have a water source not too far away.

If you don't have frogs near your home, consider hiking around Country Park or on one of the many trails and greenways. Be the first in your group, keep your eyes open, and you will find some interesting flora and fauna!

* reference and additional information.

Garden Spider Time in Greensboro

Have you seen a garden spider near your house yet? Now is the time the black and yellow argiopes are making their webs in Greensboro. The above photo was taken yesterday and the spider didn't seem to mind. The females lay their eggs and usually die by the time of the first frost. The baby spiders are on their own from the minute they are born. However, the mother has created the ideal environment for them because the strong web traps bugs that the baby spiders can feed on.

If you allow your spider to live and her web to remain, you are helping the ecosystem. As for us, there is a slight dilemma given that our spider has settled inside a bed of weeds that we were planning to cut down. At least it is in the back yard out of sight. What do you do when you see a garden spider? They are really, really fun to watch, especially if you have little ones around, and, even better if you have read Charlotte's Web! In case you are interested, HERE is a graphic of Spiders of North Carolina.

Cows on Highway 150

Greensboro is so beautiful this time of year when the skies are blue, clouds are billowing, and animals are peacefully hanging out in a field. Such is the scene in the above photo, which was taken on Highway 150, out in front of the St. Thomas Pentecostal Church. It isn't clear as to whether or not the church owns the land, but it sure does buffer their buildings from Highway 150 in Summerfield, an area that gets increasingly busy and built up each year.

Pastureland is still abundant in the outer perimeters of the county. If you get a chance, take a drive and take pause when you see these lovely scenes. If you love cows and livestock, the 2019 Guilford County Youth Livestock Show is this Saturday, August 10th, starting at 8:30 a.m. at the NC Cooperative Extension, Guilford County Center at 3309 Burlington Road. Here is the link about the event.

And Rain Brings Frogs

Well, it rained and rained in Greensboro over the last day and a half, but there is not more rain predicted this week. It is amazing how quickly temperatures cooled with the rain. From mid-90s to mid 60s, a drop of thirty degrees.

Today's tree frog photo is a little blurry, but it is the best we could do when this frog hopped on the back door during this last rainstorm. Those sucker-like, sticky pads on its feet make resting on glass super easy. With the lights on inside, there must have been bugs around to attract the frog. There are over thirty different kinds of frogs in North Carolina. If you want to see better photos, see our 2017 photo, here; and the 2018 one, here. We hope to make a frog photo an annual event. But you know how nature is; unpredictable!

Penguins at the Science Center

Splish Splash! The penguins are jumping for joy because the Greensboro Science is Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.  Even if you missed the celebration last night, you should go today and enjoy this Greensboro resource that has been getting better and better since opening in 1957. It has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums  and is a member of the American Alliance of Museums. If you join, you will get lots of free and reduced price entries to other science centers and museums throughout the United States.

Head to the iconic space on North Lawndale and learn more about these African penguins. They are an endangered species and are so cute. They will entertain you for hours. They may even convince you to participate in the next Tuxedo Trot. 100% of the profits from the event go to help with conservation of African penguins!

Watching Bumble Bees in Greensboro Gardens

We're pretty sure this is a bumblebee. There are almost two dozen species of bumblebees in the eastern United States and it was if half of them were in our Greensboro yard this week. The one in this photo was extremely large and spent several minutes feasting on the flower of a hosta plant. Its bottom half was so large is hard to believe that it was able to fly. The bumblebee is often referred to as the apex pollinator. If you move slowly they let you get close to them and pay very little attention to you.

There were several other species of bees buzzing nearby, enjoying the flowers on the mint plants. The hot days this past week have caused the mint to start to seed; not the best for the taste of the mint leaves, but fabulous for the needs of pollinators. Our yard is pesticide free and we plant lots of edibles which attract pollinators.  Interacting with nature is so much fun in the backyards of Greensboro.  What have you seen in your yard this summer?

Got Tadpoles?

Today's photo features a cup of tadpoles. Yes, you read correctly, a cup of tadpoles. The above green concoction is actually algae growing in a container of cuttings from a fig tree that we have been trying to get to grow roots this past month. We've had no luck on growing fig trees, but after yesterday's rain and today's sunshine, the green liquid is growing tadpoles. Likely, they are tree frogs. They must be fairly hardy creatures as you can purchase them on eBay. Regardless, we're trying to make sure that they don't get too hot or that the rain doesn't push them over the top so that they can continue to grow.  From the looks of that liquid, they've got plenty to eat!

With over 14 hours of daylight a day now in Greensboro, summer is in full swing. One of the best ways to enjoy summer is to spend time outside and notice, notice, notice.  Come to the Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival today at the Greensboro Arboretum and you will have plenty to see; from people dressed to please Mother Nature to people marveling at the grande finale fire show. In the meantime, check around outside your home and you just may see some marvel of nature. 

Pizza & Pooch

Pizzeria L'Italiano, located at 219 South Elm Street, has been a downtown institution since 2002. For being such a small shop, they have an extensive menu of Italian food. In the above photo, the owner is busy making pizza on a quiet Saturday as a women walks her big white dog down the street. When you walk with a dog that large, people stop to talk to you. Pooch (probably a labradoodle) and owner were very cheerful and accommodating. 

A downtown is such a dynamic, interesting place, be it Greensboro, or elsewhere. Downtown, people's lives intersect, sometimes without their knowing it. The lady did not seem to be aware of the man making pizza and he did not seem to be aware of her. However, they both caught our eye, and, together in their respective parts of the photo, create nice visual interest. 

Have a happy Monday. Consider taking a walk and seeing what interesting sights come your way. Maybe even stop in Pizzeria L'Italiano and grab a slice of pizza. It is really good.

Man, Dog, Truck, Weekend

What says weekend more than a person driving home after a hard week of work with a happy yellow lab on the back of a new white pick up truck? This photo was taken a few weeks ago in Greensboro along Battleground Avenue. It was a warm day, but the sun wasn't too intense. The dog seemed perfectly happy to hang out on the truck.

According to registration of dogs, labs are the most popular breed worldwide. At least in 2017, it was the most popular breed in North Carolina, too  They are kind, intelligent, loyal, and  make great companions. It is no wonder the man driving this truck picked a lab to travel with him. Greensboro is a pretty friendly dog city. We have trails and bark parks. Remember to keep your dog on a leash when you are in public and to be mindful of excessive heat as the weather gets warmer. 

 

Field of Cattle

A little mid-week fun being brought to you live from a cattle pasture near Greensboro, North Carolina. Actually, the above bovines live on Bunch Road, in the northwest end of Guilford County. They looked so beautiful grazing in that green pasture under the blue sky dotted with clouds. 

While North Carolina is not one of the top states for cattle, there are nearly half a million beef cattle and over 1,200,000 total cattle of all different varieties.* While we don't have data specifically for Greensboro, the Piedmont region is the most abundant area of the state for cattle. Our area is well suited because of that carpet of green seen above. To be sure, the cattle in today's photo look happy!

* reference and more information, here.

Country Roads

The above photo was taken this past weekend on a back road between West Market Street and Kernersville, that area where you can't be completely sure whether you are in Guilford or Forsyth County. This is rural North Carolina at its best; the way things used to be. From the looks of the home, it might not be around much longer. However, the horses look well cared for and happy on the property. 

Greensboro and the surrounding areas have a lot of horse farms. Scenic country vistas, like this one, are quickly being replaced by apartment complexes and Sheetz gas stations. Growth is inevitable and progress is, well, progress; however, there is something special to driving down a country road and enjoying nature in the abundant silence of a warm spring day.

Beauty in Nature...All Around Us

Sunday is the day we try to post something religious/spiritual. Greensboro has plenty of houses of worship, and we haven't exhausted them all in ten years of Sundays. However, sometimes, the most spiritual views of all come straight out of nature. Greensboro is such a beautiful city. The above photo was taken in Northwest Guilford County, reminding us that the area is known for horses, stables, and interesting landscapes. 

There has been so much rain lately, it is hard to believe that our last big snowfall was in early December. Also, it will be spring in 24 days. If you get a chance, head outside today and breathe in all the beauty of nature around us. For this beauty, we are thankful. If the weather forecast is correct, temperatures should rise to the mid 60's. The horses will happy today; we should be, too! 

Horse & Fog

This past weekend was extremely foggy in Greensboro. As long as the foreground is visible, fog can really enhance a photo. Such was the case with this horse, spotted at the corner of Pleasant Ridge Road and Stanley Huff Road. Greensboro is entering one of those time periods where just about every possible weather event will be experienced within about a week. From fog, to warm sunny days, to the likelihood of snow and ice. Are you ready? This beautiful horse is. Rolled bales of hay were delivered last night and there is enough to last through the most tenacious  of snowstorms.

If you love horses, there are plenty of stables around Greensboro. If you own horses and want a horse farm, horseproperties.net often has property listed in the area. Around Greensboro, conditions are good for riding, most of the year.

Woolly Worm Sighting in Greensboro

This woolly worm, or woolly bear was spotted in Greensboro last week. It is the caterpillar stage of what will grow into an Isabella tiger moth. First described in 1797, this creature is said to predict winter. If the brownish-red band is wide, winter will be mild.  Greensboro doesn't have any formal woolly worm predicting; however, Banner Elk, NC is a different story. There, an annual festival is held in late October with crafts and food and races. The winning woolly worm  predicts the upcoming winter weather. This year's winner of the race was a woolly worm from Montgomery County. He had a lot of brown, an indication that winter will be mild. 17,000 people attend the festival in Banner Elk.

If you spot one in the winter, they have a means of coating their bodies to protect themselves from the cold. Do not bother them. They know what they are doing. They actually need the cold to turn into a moth.  Today, Greensboro will hold a meeting to get ideas about how Greensboro could grow over the next 20 years. From 4-7 pm at Smith Senior Center on Fairview Street, the open meeting will be in session.* Please attend if you have ideas for our community. (Too bad the woolly worm festival idea is taken).

*more details, here.

Donkeys and Art

Hee haw, hee haw! These donkeys are braying the morning way to convince you to head out to Stealing Crow Farm on Highway 150, just east of Oak Ridge Military Academy (ORMA). Today, the "Keep It Local, Art and Pottery Show" will be held at 2409 Oak Ridge Road. There will be so much local art, from pottery to jewelry, to handmade dolls and so much more.

In addition, you will have the option to see some pretty cute animals, hear some music, and meet some great artists. This is the 20th year for this show. Twenty years of great artists from Greensboro and beyond! Wear a costume, or not. Nothing beats being out on a fall day and having the chance to own some really great art. 

Cats of Greensboro

 

After learning yesterday that Max the Cat, of Internet and Washington Post fame, lives in Guilford County, we decided to feature a Greensboro cat today. Max gained his fame in St. Paul, Minnesota for loving to roam, being social, visiting around, and especially loving to spend time in the the Macalester College library.*

Meet, "Callie," above, perched confidently on top of a 1985 Volvo. While Callie the Calico is not known to peruse libraries, she does like to visit people in the Sunset Hills neighborhood, is super social, and intellectually curious. She loves spending time on hoods of cars or near warm car engines waiting for the car owners to come out and say hello. Maybe she, too, can get some Internet fame. Perhaps, we can introduce Max and Callie and they can continue their adventures together. Seriously, we Humans of Greensboro love our pets and Max and Callie seem pretty happy with their lives in Guilford County. Greensboro is such a great place to be a cat... and a human.

*Max has his own Facebook page, here, and, read more about Max, here.  

Time for Spiders and the Central Carolina Fair

The above, yellow garden spider has taken up housekeeping behind a mailbox on the edge of a field in northwest Guilford County. She is about the size of a fifty-cent piece. Also known as writing, or corn spiders, they are common throughout the United States. These curious creatures can make their webs wiggle and they can zig-zag write, not unlike Charlotte in Charlotte's web. This is one of North Carolina's largest and most brightly colored spiders. They are masters of trapping prey. If you want to teach children about the food chain, this arachnid is a great specimen. It is not uncommon to find moths and butterflies in their strong webs.

Females live for about a year, at least until the first hard frost. If brought indoors, they can live for several years. Anyone want a pet spider? We know where "Charlotte" lives in Greensboro. On the other hand, if we wake up to find the message RADIANT, TERRIFIC or HUMBLE in her web, we'll rush her off to the Central Carolina Fair, which begins September 7th and and runs through Sunday, September 16th at the Coliseum Complex. This is the 120th year for the Central Carolina Fair.* Yes, the fair is 105 years older than a Starbuck's pumpkin spice late. In the 21st century edition of Charlotte's Web, instead of SOME PIG, do you think she might write, SOME LATTE?

*more information, here.

Living Waterscapes

Living Waterscapes is a Greensboro business located on Sandy Ridge Road, across from the farmers market. They have such beautiful things to make yards look magical: koi ponds, water lilies, elaborate playsets for children, pergolas, lighting, accent features, and so much more. The above photo features a few of their Japanese koi gliding in and around the water lilies. "Koi" in Japanese also means "love" and "affection" and you are sure to fall in love with these fish and their ponds when you see them on display. While koi, bred for their bright and shiny colors, are lovely to look at, these color patterns also make them a target for predators, from heron to raccoons. Living Waterscapes has the expertise to build outdoor koi ponds  that provide places for koi to hide and features that are deterrent to predators. 

Their original Greensboro location has been so successful since opening in 1999, they been rebranded as Pond Country and have expanded into the Charlotte and Knoxville, TN markets. The day we were on location, a couple in their late 70s walked out of the retail shop with a bag of koi in hand. They told us they'd been going to the store since it opened and they were chatting about the new fish they'd picked out together as if they were newlyweds. So much "koi" over their koi, it was heartwarming.

Carolina Mantis 2018

This is the time of year that gardens really start to get buggy. The above mature Carolina mantis was having a field day eating bugs in a local Greensboro garden. The Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) is native to North Carolina; however it is common throughout the USA, Mexico, and even South America. We're pretty sure this brown mantis is a female as she has short wings and widens out towards the bottom. Also, the females don't fly and this one only scooted around during the photo shoot and never flew away. (No mantis was harmed in the preparation of this blog post).

The praying mantis catches and eats other insects with their forelegs. A mantis doesn't have to eat daily, but can eat from 2-7 flies a day. They live approximately nine months, consuming as many as 1,000 bugs in their lifetime.* This should make the owners of the above garden very happy as pest reduction by mantis is very organic and good for the garden. We try to publish one mantis photo a summer. Have you seen a mantis in your Greensboro neighborhood yet?

*reference and more mantis fun facts, here.