Greensboro Daily Photo

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.

Dogs of Greensboro

Humans of Greensboro love their dogs. The above photo features a great dane who was the hit of the Corner Market (corner of Elam & Waker) in Lindley Park last Saturday morning. The owners, and canine as well, were very accommodating as people right and left approached to pet the dog. Pet, pet, question, question. and so went show and tell with this lovely dog. 

Great Danes are a German bread of dog. They are also known as the German mastiff. They are calm and friendly. If you like dogs, but don't have one, visit any public space in Greensboro on the weekends and you will easily get an opportunity to pet a canine. Pet adoptions are also an opportunity to get to know some dogs that need love even more than the ones with owners. Remember to ask permission first. Not all dogs are as stranger friendly as the above gentle giant.

And Then There Were Frogs...

It wouldn't seem like summer in Greensboro with a rainy spell to bring out the frogs. This green tree frog (hyla cinera) is more common in the Costal Plain region of North Carolina, but is expanding into the Piedmont (Greensboro's region). The green tree frog likes wetlands, swamps, and moist, shady areas.* The above frog was spotted on a metal fence post in the middle of a butter bean patch. While green tree frogs are known for being easily frightened, this one seemed determined to hang out in this same spot, even though the humans around him were busy picking butter beans. What a reward for working hard in a garden, getting to see nature's creatures, also enjoying the garden. 

Of the 28 frogs and toads found in North Carolina, the green tree frog is one of the brightest in color. It is the state amphibian of Georgia and Louisiana. Do you know the state amphibian for North Carolina? Read below the reference.

 * reference and a chance to listen to how this guy sounds.

 

North Carolina has two state amphibians. The pine barrens tree frog is our state frog and it looks a lot like the above frog, except the stripe in brown. North Carolina also has a state salamander, the marbled salamander.

Cows of Greensboro

It has been a while since an animal has been featured on Greensboro Daily Photo. And so, this weekend, we drove around the countryside on a quest to find an animal to feature. Just north of Greensboro, beyond the Highway 220 and 68 split, we found a pasture full of the above breed of cows. The cows were seen together in a pasture grazing happily. The one in the photo was particularly interesting, with that off-center blaze on her face. Perhaps it is the smaller ears, the large head, the color, or the muscular nature of this cow, but, she looks like she could be a cousin to a hippopotamus. 

A google search indicates that these might be Maine Anjou cows. If so, they were bred in the 19th century in France and known as a dual purpose breed, as they are good for both beef and milk. At any rate, they looked very happy and healthy and if, indeed, the herd was Maine Anjou, that would be pretty exciting to have them here in the area, as approximately 2/3 of the population of 60,000 is in France.

Within the first couple months of Greensboro Daily Photo, back in 2009, we uncovered a fold of Scottish Kyloes living in Greensboro. It is interesting to ponder how people get interested in a certain breed of cattle, and how they decide to raise them locally.

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.

Skinks of Greensboro

With summer approaching, for many, there is more opportunity to spend time out of doors exploring the flora and fauna of Greensboro. One creature you are likely to see is the little critter photographed above, a skink. Skinks are readily available in Greensboro. These reptiles are lizards and, while they resemble newts, newts are actually amphibians and are a type of salamander. Skinks live in a variety of habitats. They like to hide under things like logs where their predators cannot reach them. They like to be under leaves and in gardens where there are plenty of insects to eat. 

The skink above, spotted near the golf range at Bur-Mil Park, is one whose tail has been sacrificed to a predator, but whose life was spared. You can see the tail starting to regenerate and the skink, himself, looks well fed. The beauty of the extended hours of light of the warm summer days make nature watching in Greensboro's parks so much fun. 

Canine Companions in Greensboro

Greensboro residents love their canine companions. Yesterday's GDP post featured LeBauer Park, a local park that has a special section for dogs. Country Park also has a "bark park" section. Owners who know their dogs have been well socialized can let their dogs run around within the confines of the fenced-in area.

Greensboro also has many dog-friendly businesses. Replacements, Ltd., for one, allows employees to bring their dogs to work. Many brew pubs allow dogs on leashes. When the festivals in the parks, like MUSEP, start back up for the summer, you will see many canine companions. You will also see dogs out running with their owners, like at the "Running of the Balls" in Sunset Hills each December.

The old English bulldogs in the above photo didn't look like they were in the mood to run, but the were photographed while out exploring with their owner in Price Park. If you are interested in a dog, please look at the local animal shelters. There are plenty of options.

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.

Cat Cafe of Greensboro

Everyone is talking about the fact that Greensboro got a cat cafe. It opened this weekend with very heavy bookings. You need to have an appointment to attend and the were almost completely booked this weekend. The cost is $10 an hour, which helps cover the care of the cats. The Cat Cafe is located in the 600 block of South Elm Street, near Elsewhere Museum and across the street from Mellow Mushroom. 

To enter, you must sanitize your hands and go through the entrance door and then a 3' gate. The current batch of cats is a range of adolescent kittens and adult cats; all but the house cat are available for adoption. The cats are very friendly and playful. Coffee and snacks are available for purchase in the back of the store-  in a separate section. 

The Cat Cafe fills the need of giving people a chance to interact with kitties, especially if the are too busy to have one at home. It also brings like-minded people together and, who knows, you just might make some new friends while admiring a grey tabby or a bi-color, short-haired orange-marmalade colored American house cat, like the one who was flirting with us in the window Or, was it sticking its tongue out at us because we didn't adopt him?

(above). 

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!