Greensboro Daily Photo

What is it?

So, with Greensboro honoring the quarantine and staying at home we need to get a little more creative with the Greensboro Daily Photo posts. And, we are determined. Thank you readers for continuing to check in. The above photo was about the most curious thing we've seen on a recent nature walk. Does anybody have any idea what this is? It is either something about to hatch or it is a disease on an evergreen.

If you recognize this curiosity, please tell us. Whatever it is, it grows in Greensboro. Happy Saturday!

Spring in Greensboro

Greensboro was this beautiful yesterday. As long as you are are able to maintain physical distance, consider heading outside and admiring the beauty of Greensboro this time of year. Yesterday, the skies were clean from the recent rain and the decrease in traffic. Just look at the range of color in the photo of this lot in northwest Greensboro. As you can see, the sun was casting long shadows since it was after 6:00 p.m.

Without a lot of effort, you can see the photographer in this photo. With a little more work, you can see a lovely home hidden behind the trees. We could photograph this same spot every few days, and it would look different. In spring, Greensboro's landscape is ever-changing, always beautiful, even on overcast days.

Dogwoods Are Starting to Bloom

Today is Sunday and, in Greensboro, dogwoods are starting to bloom. Regardless of your religious beliefs, the flowers signify beauty and rebirth. In Christianity, the dogwood symbolizes rebirth and resurrection. Some believe the the cross Jesus was crucified on was made of dogwood. However, there is no reference to that in the Bible, and dogwoods don't grow naturally in Israel. 

As we weather this quarantine, together, but apart, today would be a great day to spend outside. If you are a Christian and missing your church community, likely, they are offering services online. For that matter, even though we are in Greensboro, through the Internet, you can listen to about any church service you want to today. Most are being recorded and you can watch them any time you want- even at a future date. Regarding these dogwoods, better hurry. They wait for nobody and spring is quickly springing! Happy Sunday!

Long Walks and a Little Musing

One of the positive things to come out of being quarantined is that life has slowed down a little bit and people are dedicating more time to being outdoors and taking walks. Yesterday was perfect weather for being outside. The above photo shows a new home being built beside the farm course of the Greensboro Country Club and Proehlific Park. 

Just in front of the new construction, at the street, is a port-a-potty. As people take their morning and afternoon walks in this area, we're wondering if they ever consider using the facility when nature calls. With virtually no businesses open, one has to plan ahead for bathroom breaks, or, get creative!

On a different note, Greensboro is known for its lovely landscaping. How wonderful that the builders and owners decided to leave those mature trees in the front yard. That canopy has taken decades to grow. Happy Saturday! May your day be filled with lots of love, positive thoughts, and some time outdoors.

Afternoon of the Striped Grass

Happy Saturday. Today will be another beautiful day in Greensboro. The above photo features our view in northwest Greensboro while walking on Thursday afternoon. As we all self-isolate, nature can feel like a dear, special friend. The trees, colors, and the fresh grasses take on a life of their own.

So many untruths are floating through our social media feeds these days. According to National Geographic, swans are a regular in the canals of Burano, Italy, and the dolphins weren't in the canals, but filmed in the Mediterranean Sea.* The good thing to come of these untruths is that humans love a good nature story and flora and fauna uplift us. As beautiful as Greensboro is, we can go out and create our own nature stories. The title of this one is, "The Afternoon of the Striped Grass." Sometimes people think Greensboro is flat, until they have the adventure of walking up and down the striped grass.

* reference and more information, here.

Mural at Bruegger's on Battleground

Over the last couple of years, it seems as if murals are popping up all over Greensboro. The above mural of Pinocchio is at the top of a tall retaining wall over the parking lot of Bruegger's Bagels on Battleground Avenue. Pinocchio's nose, lengthened from lying, is long enough to hold several bagels. In front of the mural is a fruit tree that has blossomed out. 

It is fun to see signs of spring merge with signs of art. Today is the first day of spring, the spring equinox. According to the almanac, this is the earliest it has been in over a century. As you continue to self-quarantine, perhaps you can find a way to celebrate the season that some maintain is Greensboro's most beautiful time!

Reflecting on Life and Spring Blossoms

In spite of all the world is dealing with, we cannot forget the beauty of nature. Right now, the landscape in Greensboro is filled with fresh, beautiful blossoms. At the moment, tree pollen is high and the blossoms are poking out to delight us. Red bud trees and tulip magnolias have bloomed. Forsythia bushes are gloriously yellow. The above photo features pink, tree blossoms- likely a cherry tree- in full bloom. The photo was taken in northwest Greensboro yesterday afternoon, about 6pm as the sun brought with it so much color.

As we are asked to limit our social interaction, remember, nature is here for us. The glorious Greensboro landscape reminds us that seasons come and go and the landscape changes. Things that seem to be forever, seem fleeting once they are over. Try to carve out some time in your day to step outside and take note of all that is beautiful around you. Hurry, as it will change quickly.  Have a great day!

Nature's Rebirth

Signs of spring are popping up all over Greensboro. The above photo features tulip magnolias growing above a stone wall with a woodshed and field in the background. The tulip magnolia was first cultivated in southwest China, but grows well here in Greensboro. Unlike the other white magnolia that is so popular in Greensboro landscaping, the tulip magnolia is not evergreen. It loses its foliage in the winter and, each spring, it blossoms and then gets leaves.

The photo was taken in northwest Greensboro earlier this week. The sky was a stunning shade of blue. As we all work to redefine leisure time activities, consider walking around and enjoying nature. It can be very spiritual. Nature never disappoints and, spring especially is beautiful in Greensboro. Everything begins to flower and leaves cover trees. Soon, it will be hard to believe that winter was ever here. Happy Sunday!

Nature and the Glorious Sky along Bryan Blvd

Today's photo is of Bryan Boulevard heading toward town- approaching Westridge. Sometimes on these local highways, like Bryan Blvd., they can seem like nothing more than a means of getting from Point A to Point B. However, the other day, the sun was shining, the air was clean, the clouds were glorious. The late-afternoon light was just right. The sky reminded us that there is nothing more beautiful and restorative than nature. Do you ever feel uplifted by nature? Greensboro has four distinct seasons and, for the most part, days in Greensboro are pretty special.

Regardless of whether you think earth is brought to us by an omnipotent diety or simply by nature herself, there is something spiritual about a view like the one above. Happy Sunday! May today bring you joy.

(By the way, the photographer wasn't driving)...

Spring Is Springing... A Little Early

Next Sunday, Daylight Savings Time begins. Not only is the amount of daylight expanding, soon, it will be daylight longer into the evening. March 19th will be the Spring Equinox. The above photo shows that, in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina, spring is trying its hardest to move into the area.

Greensboro was so beautiful yesterday. The skies were a bright, clear blue. It looked fabulous, especially when contrasted with white blossoms and green foliage. Happy Sunday, may it be a day of rest and, if you have to work, carve out a little time to enjoy the natural beauty all around us.

Snow Day 2020

This is a color photo and what Greensboro looks like after a little snow. By evening, there was about an inch of snow in northeast Greensboro and it hadn't started sticking to the road. The Guilford County Schools had already closed for today before dark yesterday. Usually, the more rural parts of the county get a lot more inclement weather than Greensboro and High Point. Regardless, it is best to be safe.

Please make the most of this snow day. Perhaps you can make a pot of beans and some cornbread. If you can, head outside and have some snow fun. In a month, it will be spring! We hope you enjoy the day, and remember those people who have gone to work. If you are from elsewhere, don't laugh. We take our snow seriously! 

Another View from Lewiston Road: A Country Mailbox

Remember those country mailboxes where the owners of the property took great care to decorate their mailboxes? The above mailbox was seen on Lewiston Road (not too far from the little green house and the property with the tire-on-a-post. It shows a charming tradition from yesteryear. People took great care to ensure that the mailbox reflected the personality of the people within. A fish mailbox, where the mail person has to open the mouth of the widemouth bass to insert the mail, provides evidence that a fisherman lives on the property.

Today's mailbox features purple and yellow flowers with monarch butterflies landing on them. Have you ever noticed in nature that usually where there are purple wildflowers, yellow wildflowers are nearby? Purple and yellow are complementary/opposite colors. Even in the wild, opposites attract. Likely, the person who painted this mailbox has observed the behavior of flowers and butterflies in nature. And, this custom mailbox on Lewiston Road makes it easy for visitors to know which house they are looking for. "Just turn off when you see the black mailbox with flowers and butterflies painted on it."

How do you describe your own abode to visitors?

Country Curiosities on Lewiston Road

When you bicycle, ride a motorcycle or walk you see things that go unnoticed when enclosed in a vehicle. The above scene was seen on a Sunday afternoon walk along Lewiston Road. This tire up on a post is perched, just east of the bridge over Lake Higgins. It is very curious as to why someone would place a tire there. It looks like some construction is being done on the property. Perhaps the tire lets workers know where to turn. 

Lewiston Road begins at Fleming Road at Cardinal Crossing. It continues past a dollar store and mini shopping center, a church, then some country homes, farmland, new large homes, housing developments, and then continues down to the bridge over Lake Higgins where it crosses over Bald Eagle Walking Trail. Lewiston ends where Pleasant Ridge Road meets Carlson Dairy. It is a relatively quiet road on Sunday morning. However, regardless of where, where, or how you travel on a road, do so with extreme caution. If you travel in other than a car or truck, you will be surprised what you notice; including a tire marking the way. Oh the things you will see!

Congregational United Church of Christ

This photo is of Congregational United Church of Christ last weekend when the sky was filled with a low-lying strip of puffy clouds positioned from west to east above the city. We noticed this backdrop when driving by on Friendly Avenue and simply had to turn around to come snap a photo. This church, actually located on Radiance Drive, comes by its name honestly. In the Greensboro community, they are leaders in working for issues of social and racial justice. They are a progressive, liberal and welcoming Christian community.

Founded in 1900, the congregation built and moved to the above location in 1952. Julie Peeples has served the congregation as head pastor since 1991. She is very well liked not only by church members, but also by the Greensboro community. Hopefully, she will remains in her position for a very long time.

The weather is supposed to be good all day today, but we have a feeling the above clouds were a rare phenomenon and not likely to be seen again for a very long time. Please enjoy your day, regardless of what the weather brings our way.

It Was a Dark & Stormy Night

The weather has been really odd in Greensboro this past week. The above photo was taken a few nights ago on North Battleground at Horse Pen Creek. Today, it is colder that it was earlier in the week; however, at least it should be sunny. Take advantage of the dry days over the next few days. It should be clear until Tuesday. Even though Valentines Day is over, it is still a good weekend to get out and spend time with those you love.

If you are looking for something to do, here is an events calendar today, detailing the many events taking place at the Coliseum today to a chocolate event at the Central Library.Greensboro is action-packed with events this weekend. Please get out and enjoy our community.

Camellias

Camellias are currently in bloom in Greensboro. These evergreen plants always add to the landscape where they are planted, even when not in bloom. The flowers come in a wide variety of colors and are lovely, even though they are non-fragrant. 

The above bush is about ten feet tall and serves as a great cover for birds, who hang out here between efforts to find food. Camellias grow well in Greensboro, as long as the soil drains well and they aren't over exposed to direct sun. Camellias add so much to a landscape and, once established, require minimal care. 

Happy Valentines Day! While these camellias aren't roses, they sure are as pretty. If you have them in your yard, pick a bouquet for someone you love!

North Battleground at Night

It has been a rainy week in Greensboro; warm, but rainy. Today, it should be in the 60s, wet and unseasonably warm for February. The above photo was taken last night in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart on North Battleground. That area of town has been developed extensively over the last few years, including the widening of the road and the opening of the 840 loop in this area. It is nice to see a little bit of nature that persists in the area. Actually, the webbing in the trees is kudzu, that will be back in all of its glory this Sumer. For now, it creates an eerie scene, like something out of a mystery movie. The backdrop of light is the neighboring strip mall. Nature has a way of keeping us healthy and adding so much beauty to our lives; even if it is nothing more than a neglected strip between two shopping destinations. Happy Thursday.

Supermoon Setting Over Lake Higgins

 

Nothing is more beautiful than nature. The above photo features the supermoon setting over Lake Higgins at about 7:00 am this morning. If you want a spiritual Sunday today, consider a mediative walk along Lake Higgins in northwest Greensboro. This 226-acre lake is the smallest of the three reservoirs, yet offers so much for the angler, kayaker, or nature lover. 

It is fascinating how the moon could have been so bright this morning , yet enveloped in the pink of dawn, barely visible. Do you see it and it’s reflection peeking out of the center of the photo? Sometimes we have to trust in things, even when we can’t see them or they are barely visible. Walking at dawn makes you think about things like that. In Greensboro, the air is crisp and the sun is shining.

This Old House

 

Do you ever go out exploring in find old homes that look like someone really love them at one time, but now they seem abandoned? This old house is located on Mount Hope Church Road in the eastern end of the county. It is not too far off the road, and is definitely showing signs of wear; however, There is a chair on the cozy front porch and it just looks like it is waiting for someone to come and try it out.

The house looks as if it is abandoned and just waiting to be torn down. Surely, those walls have lots of stories to tell. There is even a Facebook page for abandoned structures in North Carolina. Wondering if this little Greensboro place has made that list. Happy Tuesday!

Sunny Winter Day

After several dreary, cold and dark winter days, Greensboro finally got a beautiful day of sunshine yesterday. Temperatures rose to 60°. The above photo is simply of a patch of suburban woods in Greensboro. The sky is a fabulous blue, probably a result of rain, which can have a cleansing effect. 

As you can see in the above photo, there is a pine tree with its green needles shining through the deciduous hardwoods. One of the hardwoods has leaves that, while dead, simply don’t want to let go of the branches. Nature is so beautiful, especially in Greensboro. Happy Monday!

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.

Hellebores: Blooming Flowers of Winter!

One  plant  you can always count on to bloom in winter is  the hellebore. While  they  are often called a Lenten  rose, because  they are  usually blooming during Lent, they are not a rose.  Hellebores are in the buttercup family, and they grow  well in Greensboro; especially in well-drained soil, winter sun, and shade or semi-shade in the summer. In a bed under deciduous trees is perfect.

Two of the best sources for hellebores in  Greensboro are from Janice Nicholson or  from a friend  who  has them as they  can be prolific to  the point of being invasive. Janice  has  a hellebore  nursery at her home, Gethsemane Gardens, selling to local  nurseries and  at the Greensboro  Curb Market on Yanceyville.*  In addition to being easy to grow, and  blooming in  the  dark days of winter,  deer do not like them! Imagine plants that do not attract  the many deer of Guilford  County.  

Hopefully, you enjoyed  yesterday's  70  degree temperature, blue skies, and warm sunshine as much  as the above  hellebore!

*  reference and more in  formation, here.

Buddha Guilford College

Guilford College is an  institution of higher education  in Greensboro founded by  Quakers in 1837. It also played an  instrumental role in the Underground Railroad (especially in the mid 1800's), helping slaves  find their way to freedom. The Guilford College campus is lovely and it  backs up to  a wooded area. There  are also  several private residences  on  the grounds where families with  links to  the college  and Quakerism  reside.  

One lovely residence has a few  Buddhas  on their property. The above photo is one of their  Buddha statues, on the stump  of a tree that had to  be  cut down. Buddhism sees trees  as worthy of recognition and protection. Even though  this tree had  to  be cut down, there are several on  the property thriving  under the good care  of the residents.  If you look closely, you can  see  antlers on  the side  of the bust. A deer left them not too  far from  the Buddha  and the  owners felt it fitting to  attach  them to  the side.  Perhaps the gesture is a nod  to the indigenous cultures once in the area. There is so  much history on the college's 340 acres! Happy Sunday!

Night Sky

Once we  accept the darkness  of winter  and the long  nights, they can actually take on a beautiful aura. Winter nights  are cozy when spent  in  the warmth of family and friends. The above photo features a recent night  sky over  South Holden  Road.  In the upper right hand corner, you can see  a crescent moon with a planet shining  brightly above it.  

Tonight is Saturday night and Greensboro will have plenty of options for entertainment. One  fun  event will be the live music of  Jakobs Ferry  Stragglers at Little Brother Brewing downtown Greensboro- at the corner of McGee and  South Elm. This  group hails  from West Virginia,Pennsylvania, and Maryland and, if you like spending time downtown as  well  as live music, this is a great option. Besides,  while last night  was  a full moon, if it is not too cloudy tonight, you should  be  able to enjoy  your  evening dancing by  the light of the almost-full  moon!  Happy Saturday!

Tree Pruning

Now is the time when just about everything is dormant in Greensboro, except maybe those hellebores  that are chomping at the bit to  bloom.  The above photo show a  home at Katie Drive where some tree work is being done.  It is the perfect  time to check the health  of trees  and to  prune them  as  needed.  When no  leaves are  on  the trees, it is easy to  see  where trimming is needed. Most tree companies have arborists  who are trained to  help you maintain  the health  of the trees on your property. They can  determine whether the best choice is to preserve, trim, or remove,  so that you don't have  the dreadful  of clearing a tree that has done  damage. From canopy to  roots,  and everything  in  between, every  part of a tree plays a crucial part  in helping it stay healthy.

Do you  have trees in your yard? Is  there anywhere you could plant a tree or two. After all, trees go  a long way  to helping  birds and other animals thrive. Trees help  keep the green  in Greensboro. This thought evokes a Chinese proverb...  "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The  second best time is  now. "

Hiking Around Town

Well, Christmas is behind us and it is time to look onward and upward towards the new year. The above photo was taken on the trails at Lake Higgins yesterday. Bald Eagle Trail was busy with clusters of families walking mid afternoon. The weather was unseasonably warm, perfect for being outside. If you haven't been on a hike in a while, today would be a perfect day to hit the trails around Greensboro.

Here is a link to find the trails around Greensboro. Walking is not only good for the body, but also for the brain. It is also helpful to be reminded of how important it is to protect nature, especially areas with public access. Happy Boxing Day! Check it out. While it may not be celebrated much in Greensboro, it has a lot of meaning around the world.

Christmas Tree Lot

It is that time of year when the ubiquitous Christmas tree lots have popped up on the corner of a parking lot in neighborhoods across the city. For those who celebrate Christmas, going to get the family tree can be such a memorable experience. Of course, with so many Christmas tree farms in North Carolina, you can go for the ultimate experience by heading to the mountains, around Sparta, and picking your tree right from the farm. However, another option is to go to that grocery store parking lot and pick out one that will fit the ceiling in your house.

From stepping on the lot, to selecting the tree, to having it tied to your car, to getting it home and decorating it is a picture perfect moment. The above photo was taken at Wagoner's lot on New Garden Road. The Wagoner name has been associated with Christmas tree selling in Greensboro since the 1930's. 

Canada Geese, Here for the Winter... Actually, Forever!

It is as if, one day, the Canada geese arrived in Greensboro and decided to stay. They have adapted very well to living in human-altered areas. As a case in point, the geese in the above photo seem perfectly content to hang out on local golf courses. They only fly away when golfers arrive to hit the ball. Since they travel together, get rather large, and can be very noisy, they don't really have predators.

Even thought the birds can be a nuisance, they are protected by the migratory bird act. They love open fields, so if you want to keep them away, plant tall grasses, which trick them into thinking that predators might be hiding. Regardless of how you feel about them, look how beautiful they look as they circle around waiting for this photographer to leave so they can land again! Honk, if you love geese!

Homes Along Lawndale

There is one block on Lawndale, around Rosecrest and between the Target plaza and the shops at Cornwallis that is all residential. The homes are about the same size but vary in age and style. At one time, the area seemed far from town and rather rural. Now, the homes are still charming, but appear to be a holdover from an earlier era. 

The above brick home used to have a giant oak tree in the front yard. The stump is about 6 feet in diameter. It may have been damaged from a recent storm. Hopefully, the owners will plant something in its place so the community can watch it mature over the upcoming decades. In the meantime, we sure have a good view of this charming home.

Happy Thursday! Tomorrow is First Friday and the Festival of Lights in downtown Greensboro. Hope to see you there!

Sky Over Patterson Street & Holden Road

We've featured the Patterson Street/Holden Road area more than once. However, as you can see in the above photo, the sky in that area is just so dramatic on sunny afternoons. This was the view on Monday. Perhaps it is the open space that makes the view seem so expansive. Or, the fact that the sun is still visible as it starts getting low to the horizon, a time when the color can be so intense. If you notice the photographer's shadow in the red splotch to the right, shadows were long on that sunny afternoon.

This area is quite the destination if you are interested in recycling, making art, up cycling, and thrifting for bargains. From disposing of hazardous waste to purchasing antiques or buying used materials for art, explore this area, just down the block from the Coliseum. You also have great meal options at Stamey's Barbecue, Arigato Japanese, and Bangkok Cafe Restaurant in this same part of town. The yellow strip on the left of the photo is part of a carwash, another thing you can do, here, on the northeast corner. Happy Wednesday! May the sun shine in your heart, even on days it isn't shining overhead.

Thanksgiving Sky... and The Really, Really Free Market

The Thanksgiving sunrise in Greensboro was so beautiful yesterday. It was a perfect fall day with the temperature reaching 57 degrees. Evening was also a special treat with the waxing crescent moon visible in the wester sky just after the sun dipped below the horizon. This first phase of the new moon appears as a crescent sliver to the right and the whole form of the moon is visible. Those who braved Round 1 of Thanksgiving weekend shopping surely noticed this beautiful moon.

As for today, a very special event is happening in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. Kathy Clark has yet again organized the "Really, Really Free Market." Today, from 10am - 2pm, at 1417 Glenwood Avenue, in the Christ United Methodist Church lot, people will be bringing and taking items and no money will exchange hands. This is such an environmentally friendly way to spend the day. Besides, giving used items it trending; so, you can help the environment and be right in style. Hope to see you there. If you see Kathy, be sure to thank her and, if you have some time on your hands, ask her if she needs any help! Here is an old photo of the event.

Still Fall and Still Time to Enjoy the Corner Market

Blink and all of a sudden it is the fourth quarter of the year, winter is almost here, and it is cold. However, as seen in this recent photo, taken at the corner of Walker and Elam, fall is still holding on. If you are reading this post on Saturday morning before noon, hopefully you know that the Corner Market will be going strong. Since 2013, the organizers have worked hard to build community, nourishing both body and soul.

There is usually a nice variety of produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, and arts and crafts. On the day the above photo was taken, the Appalachian Brewing Company was making their rounds in their tan and green van, making sure that the stores on this corner were stocked with their specialty brews. Have a nice Saturday and consider getting out to one of our many local markets to make new friends and get some great local nourishment.

Leaves Browning

For some reason this view on Mill Street, from the parking lot of the Red Collection, is just so beautiful. Even now that these trees are browning, they look so beautiful. The stripes on the road and the parking lot edging, as well as the wiring, frame the photo. Sometimes photos that are more monochrome make a statement. Greensboro has been unseasonably cold this week. Hopefully your heating system is working and you have changed the filters.   Today the temperature is predicted to reach 50 degrees. That will feel like a heat wave! Have a great weekend. Take some time to appreciate the beauty of nature. There is plenty to appreciate in Greensboro. Have a great weekend.

Fall on Lake Higgins

We need to share another fall photo today because Lake Higgins looked so beautiful with its fall colors, its stillness, and the jet contrails reflecting on the glassy surface yesterday. Monday is a day of rest for Lake Higgins; it is closed to the public. Lakes Townsend and Brandt are open on Mondays. On any given day, at least two lakes are open. Greensboro isn't a city built around a river or lake, but we do have three beautiful lakes if you travel just north of town. 

While the leaf colors this fall aren't as varied as some years, the rusts and oranges look beautiful against the backdrop of the blue reflecting in the lake. It is nice that the shoreline is protected and people aren't building at water's edge. Even when it is busy with people fishing and kayaking, Lake Higgins is a place of great solitude. There is even a trail you can follow that runs along the northern edge of the lake.

Happy Tuesday!

Fall Color throughout the State

Given the dry fall in North Carolina (other than recently), the leaves have not been at their peek. However, expacially when the sky is blue It is possible to get some beautiful photos of nature. Today's photo was taken a little west of Greensboro but shows the intensity of the flora on a bright, sunny fall day. It is so nice to see mature trees, even though they sure make a person feel tiny.

Today, for the Guilford County Schools, it is a mandatory teacher workday. If you are in a position to take your children or adult friends out to look for signs of fall, today would be a super day to do so. Happy Monday!

Fall on Lindell Road

With the recent change weather, it is starting to look like fall in Greensboro. Temperatures have dropped some and there has been rain. The above photo was taken at the corner of Spring Garden Street and Lindell Road. This is the entrance to Lindley Park, where the park used to be. If you look closely, on the right, you can see the stone columns that welcome you to Lindley Park. Throughout Greensboro, leaves have started to change color and fall. Before you know it, the city will be coming around to collect the leaves you leave at the road. Are you ready? Do you want to be? Read more here:

Greensboro's Department of Field Operations will have two rounds of loose leaf collection. If the leaves are at the curb by November 12th, they will be collected by December 23rd. Leaves on the curb by December 27th will be collected by January 25th. If you elect to use the regular yard waste service, they will take them every week, as long as they are in clear plastic bags or garbage bags. They use the leaves to fertilize city properties. Most importantly, the program keeps leaves from blocking the storm drains. In 2018, almost 14,000 tons were collected and reused (reference and more information, here).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

910 Walker Avenue

This house at 910 Walker Avenue, between Tate and Mendenhall Streets is a vintage beauty. For having been built in 1906, it still maintains quite a bit of charm over a century later. Although it has a yard that looks overgrown, as you walk by, the yard has the feel of a micro-prairie. Not all cultures and not all decades favored the manicured lawns that are expected in many neighborhoods today.

Urban micro prairies are valuable green space because they attract native insects and pollinators.* As Greensboro and Guilford County lose more and more land to housing developments, it is crucial that we be purposeful with flora to help fauna. The more prairie-like spaces with wildflowers, shrubs, and trees, also help with erosion and help lower temperatures in the summer. As fall rolls in, if you are considering planting, consider adding some native plants to your yard. If you want inspiration, seek out yards like 910 Walker Avenue and see them close up. Hurry, before old-man winter keeps us inside!

 

*reference and more information here. Also, NC State and NC A&T can help with making lawns attractive without over-relying on grass (see, here).

Lake Daniel Park

Lake Daniel Park runs parallel to Benjamin Parkway, at the northern end of Westerwood. The above photo is the stream that meanders through the park. In times of great rain, it tends to flood. The big round rocks along the edge help control the flow of water and help with erosion of the bank. 

We were impressed recently, during our walk along the stream, not a single piece of trash was spotted. As we were leaving the area, we noticed three 8-ish year olds biking towards the stream. One of them made a great kid comment.  He leaned into his handlebars and said, "This spot is where you usually find the best sticks!".  How wonderful that there still children who love playing outside and value knowing the perfect spot to find good sticks. If you see some children wandering around the Westerwood/Lake Daniel area with Harry Potter wands, ask them if they got them in Lake Daniel Park at the special spot for sticks. Happy Friday. May your weekend be filled with great times in Greensboro, especially outside! 

The Not-So Mysterious Bite Out Of the Fig

Fall is here and it is not just the humans who are noticing the changes. Animals are scurrying around looking for food to stockpile for the winter- especially squirrels. The above photo shows a fig tree with lingering fruit. Some critter, likely a squirrel, took a big bite out of the fig and either decided it wasn't ripe or one bite was enough. Figs are very vulnerable to squirrel predation and they provide nourishment through many months of the year. 

This particular fig tree is in Westerwood where neighbors are very intentional about plantings; edibles, micro-prairies, and wildflowers are seen throughout the neighborhood. Trees and plants take on a charming scruffiness in fall, with or without the help of squirrel who are enjoying their last hurrah before winter. 

Fun Fall Walks

In Greensboro, autumn is the perfect time to take long walks. Days are getting shorter, but the sun casts such beautiful, golden shadows when it is low to the horizon. The sounds and smells are breathtaking. The above photo shows a walkway along a golf path in northwest Greensboro. One of the greatest parts of golfing is being outside in nature.

However, if you don't golf, or belong to one of Greensboro's many golf courses, the city parks offer many great options, including a vast assortment of trails and greenways. It is supposed to be hot for the next couple of days and then cool off dramatically. If you want to beat the heat, plan ahead to walk on Friday. It will be First Friday and, it is always fun to walk the length of Elm Street from near LeBauer Park and the Cultural Arts Center to the South 600 block of Elm Street, near Gate City Boulevard. In the meantime, today, we'll continue to search out new paths and trails. Happy Wednesday!