Greensboro Daily Photo

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!

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? 

Pumpkin Time, Maybe a Little Pumkin Spice, Too

It is officially fall and its signs are abundant- except maybe the Greensboro weather. Pumpkins are starting to pop up everywhere. These are at Lowe's; however soon you will be able to buy them everywhere from the big box stores to church lawns. Pumpkin patch fundraisers bring great profits for youth groups. Rudd Farms is a fourth generation farm just outside Greensboro. It started as a tobacco farm and has evolved into a farm for the public to purchase edible produce. There are so many local options for purchasing pumpkins. Keep your eyes open.

Pumpkin spice flavoring and scents are also widely available. Pace yourself with the pumpkin spice, but enjoy it now, as scents of winter and Christmas are just around the corner!

A B Seed Inc.

Mark Abee of AB Seed Inc. knows plants and is ever generous with his knowledge when customers ask. His garden center is located by the farmers' market at 2914 Sandy Ridge Road. If you notice, AB is a play on his last name, Abee! In the above photo, Mark is helping a customer assemble a garden arrangement of planters and fall mums. Mark gets many of the planters from Vietnam and China and travels to the factories to select the planters. How appropriate this photo was taken on the first day of fall. If you want your yard to look like fall, visit AB Seed as he is receiving new inventory daily.

Mark is a Grimsley High graduate who also attended The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He majored in botany, a major no longer available at the flagship institution. However, in his 45 years in the gardening profession, Mark puts his plant knowledge to work every day.

As fall transitions to winter, his store will become a winter wonderland, with scented candles, Christmas decor, and even clothing. The plush, super-soft pullover jackets are more comfortable than pajamas. Seasons change and seasonal traditions continue; however Mark is perhaps happiest of all over the fact that he is now a grandfather. Truly, he is one of those  lifelong Greensboro residents everyone needs to meet!

Magnolias in Autumn

Magnolia trees are an iconic part of the Greensboro landscape. Usually, they are photographed with their velvety, aromatic white blossoms spreading out over the glossy green leaves. As evergreens, they have something to offer the landscape every month of the year. The above photo from yesterday afternoon shows one of the pink fuzzy pods next to one that has gone to seed. The bright red berries burst from the seed pods and really stand out, adding a pop of color as we all wait for leaves to start changing. Squirrels and birds love the magnolia fruit. 

If you want to grow a magnolia from seed, you need to harvest when the berries are red, like the ones above. However, growing a tree from seed is quite a complicated process. Read, here. If you are interested, we'd be happy to try to get you some seeds. It would be fun to monitor the progress! Happy Monday, dear readers.

Hardwoods, Nuts, Acorns and Autumn!

With autumn around the corner, the hardwood trees are starting to drop their bounty. Hickory nuts, beech nuts, black walnuts, and acorns are abundant this fall. The rain this summer really helped these trees produce. The squirrels and other mammals will be thrilled and will be filling their special hiding places in preparation for winter. As you are cleaning off driveways and areas around your house, please consider finding a place in your yard to compost the nuts. It can take up to fifty years for an oak tree to produce acorns, so please avoid cutting mature trees down unless your home is in danger of having a tree fall on it. It is the trees that give the critters food and oxygen and help keep the "green" in Greensboro. Consider taking a nature hike this weekend and seeing how many different nuts and seed pods you can find.

Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian is bringing high winds and storm surges to the coast of North Carolina. So far, Greensboro has experienced some wind, but nothing damaging. The above photo, taken yesterday afternoon, shows a meadow of tall grass bending as winds were coming through. The scene looks like it could be at the Carolina coast; however, it is actually on land that was once part of Jefferson-Pilot's 414 acres at New Garden Road.

Many school districts east and south of Guilford County closed because of the storm. Fortunately, Dorian is not likely going to disrupt the school or work day in Greensboro. Dorian, is a name that comes from Greek, meaning "gift." Let's hope Dorian's gift will be to die down and not cause damage and not disrupt our much-anticipated North Carolina Folk Festival- underway this afternoon!

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.

Flight of the Monarch!

Can you believe that it is already September? Many butterflies have been in the area lately. The monarch butterflies are passing through, heading south to Mexico so that they can arrive in time for the Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd. The above male monarch was spotted in Greensboro last week. You can tell it is a male by the two spots on the back and the thinner veins.

There is something so spiritual about nature and the eco-systems. How the butterflies know the route, even though it is a different generation migrating every year, is such a mystery. Some things we may never be able to answer, and some things will be solved by curious scientists. For now, we will simply sit back and enjoy the butterfly parade. If you want to follow the monarch migration, visit here.   Have a great Sunday and find something in Greensboro that you are thankful for. We have so much to be thankful for, including this monarch butterfly that is big on beauty but weighs less than .75 grams!

Hanging Flower Baskets Downtown

Summer is quickly winding down in Greensboro. There are two MUSEP concerts remaining, and traditional public schools start on Monday, August 26th. Downtown still looks beautiful with the hanging baskets of purple flowers on the streetlights. The arms of the lights look as if they were made for the baskets. A 2013 article from the News & Record indicates that the flower basket program been a downtown tradition for over 15 years.

The baskets are environmentally friendly with the selection of drought resistant plants and the use of gray water for watering. There are 245 baskets and they were installed by Downtown Greensboro Incorporated. They are installed in the heart of the business district around Elm Street, McGee Street, S. Greene Street, February One Place, MLK Drive. Barring any unforeseen weather events, they hang from May to October. While the article we've referenced if older, we haven't seen any updated information to say that anything has changed. Regardless, they are super beautiful and well cared for. Have you noticed them?

Reference and read more about the baskets, here.

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.

St Thomas Chapel

St. Thomas Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church is located at 633 Highway 150, not too far from Northern High School. Above is one of the buildings on the campus. To the left of this church is a newer, larger building, also part of the property. St. Thomas is built way back off from the main highway and just behind a cow pasture. It is a great example of how farmland and animals have to learn to adapt to being around so much human activity.

Bishop Tyrone Hunter has been pastoring the congregation for over 40 years. He is a devout believer, dedicated to his family, his church, and the gospel. If you are looking for a Pentecostal congregation to join, St. Thomas could be just what you are looking for. Take a Sunday drive out to the northern end of the county and see for yourself. Happy Sunday!

Biking Around Greensboro

 

The above photo features the shadow of a cyclist along Hamburg Mill Road. Hamburg Mill connects Pleasant Ridge Road to North Battleground Avenue, and the Lake Higgins Marina is also in the area. The upper corner of the photo features a bed of sunflowers which, curiously, were not turning to face the sun.

Saturday and Sunday mornings are prime time for cyclists to be out on the highway. These mornings have the least automobile traffic. If you want to try biking on the road, consider joining a group ride organized by one of the local bicycle clubs or through the bike shops. There are still some stretches of road in the outer perimeters of Guilford County where it is possible to bike past beautiful farmland and other rural scenes. The greenway and off-road trails are the safest options. Even if you are not inclined to cycle, consider finding some outdoor activity that you enjoy and head outside this weekend. Happy Friday!

Hamilton Lakes

Hamilton Lakes, a quiet suburb of Greensboro, was founded as a town in 1920. The lake in the photo is part of the community and open only to community members. While the town was annexed by the City of Greensboro in 1957, the lake and recreational amenities remain private through private contributions and neighborhood association dues.

As you can see from the photo, Hamilton Lakes is very family oriented. There are two miles of trails, two lakes, a stream  and many other recreational opportunities. When Greensboro businessman A.M. Scales began developing the 1,600 acres for residences, it was known for its architectural momentum. With all of the home renovation happening, especially on Henderson Drive, it appears that momentum is continuing. However, at the heart of it all, is keeping the sense of strong community and opportunities to enjoy nature, regardless of architectural style or the sizes of homes.

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!

Full Moon Fun!

Did you happen to see the full moon on Tuesday evening? The July full moon is known as the Thunder Moon. In the above photo, the moon was rising over the little pond on Tory Hill Drive. You can see the reflection of a floodlight in the very center of the photo and the full moon at the top center and the reflection of the moon at the bottom. Greensboro looks so dramatic under the moon glow.

Get Outdoors sponsored a full-moon paddle on July 17th.  If you missed it, they will host another one during the next full moon on August 15th at a local city lake. They will even provide glow sticks. These outdoor, group adventures are so much fun and great exercise. Hope to see you there from 8:00- 10:30 p.m., paddling by the light of the moon!

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?

Sunrise on Lake Higgins

Yesterday, the weather in Greensboro went through many stages. First, the morning started with a warm sunrise. The above photo was taken at Lake Higgins, just as the day was filling in with color and the sun was peeking out over the water. Deer were milling around, fish were striking at insects on water's edge, dragonflies were snacking on bugs; the lake was teeming with life.

By afternoon, the skies opened and the rain came down, drenching the yards and streets. By night, the crescent moon was surrounded in a swirl of clouds. As you start your Monday, try to take a little time to appreciate nature. Gardens are growing and flowers are in full bloom. We need to protect our green space and keep the green in Greensboro. Invite a friend to take a walk while we have these long days of light. Whatever you decide to do, have a great week.

Blue Swallowtail Butterfly

This blue swallowtail butterfly was found in the parking lot of the Lake Higgins Marina. They are usually found in forests and there is a nature trail right beside the marina. The underneath part, the part visible when they are perched on a flower is black with orange spots. If you are able to spend time outside, observing nature, you will find many great living things, like butterflies. 

Today is the first of the month, so for the worldwide, City Daily Photo community, the theme is the color blue. Blue is for the blue swallowtail, whose habitat covers much of North America, especially where the pipevine plant is found. Happy Monday, happy getting outside to enjoy nature!

Got Mushrooms?

Yesterday's post featured the Balk Eagle Trail at Lake Higgins. Today's photo is an example of the many mushrooms you will find along the trail now. With all of the recent rain, there are many different kinds of mushrooms to see along the way. As feasible, these public trails are left alone, for nature to do what it wants. Human intervention only comes when a tree falls across the path, obstructing the way for walkers and cyclists.

If you do walk the trails, please leave things as you found them. Do consider taking a bag to collect any trash that might have been left behind. As for the mushrooms. it will seem like they are growing before your eyes. If there is a little one in your life, it can be fun to research the names of all the things you will see in the woods.

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. 

Happy Summer Solstice

Happy Sumer Solstice today! In the northern hemisphere, today is the day with the most total hours and minutes of daylight. In Greensboro, the sun rose at 6:02 am and will set at 8:39 pm.  After today, daylight will decrease slightly until December 21st. Greensboro has some fun solstice events. Today, is the 15th Annual WAM Summer Solstice Party at the Weatherspoon Art Museum, beginning at 5:30. Tomorrow, from 2-10, the Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival will be happening at the Greensboro Arboretum. 

Please consider donning an outfit as cheerful as the above sunflower and head out to celebrate, light, nature, and the beauty of life's cycles with other people in Greensboro, or wherever you happen to be! Today, in Greensboro, the sun is out in all its glory, ready to celebrate with us.

Purple Martins on Lake Higgins

This purple martin habitat is located on Lake Higgins. If you notice, the gourd-like nests have slats, specifically designed to only allow entrance for the purple martins. At the 10:00 position, a martin is in position to squeeze into its nest. This nest design is important because, otherwise,  European sparrows invade the nests. The purple martin population has suffered severely over the past century, almost completely diminished by the 1980s. Thanks to great conservation efforts, these birds are making a come-back.

The above cluster of nests is maintained by Don and Trent Taylor, who are members of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. This bird, a member of the swallow family, depends almost exclusively on humans for housing. They spend their winters as far south as Ecuador.

They are renowned for the large quantity of bugs they can eat in a day. No need for mosquito repellent when you have purple martins!

Greensboro Science Center

The Greensboro Science Center, located on Lawndale Drive, just keeps getting better and better. The aquarium exhibit has expanded and provides so many different displays of ocean animals. From penguins to a giant octopus to everything in between, the aquarium is a fabulous experience. There are also many other science and animal displays. It is easy to spend an afternoon at the center- especially in summertime.

If you are looking for a gift for a friend or family member, consider a membership to the Science Center. For less than $40, you can purchase a gift that will last all year long. The membership for the local center also gets you a discount to many science centers and zoos throughout the United States. Keep cool and see the many cool exhibits. See more from the Greensboro Science Center throughout the week on GDP. Happy Tuesday!

Golf Course Maintenance

Golf course maintenance is big business in Greensboro because we have so many public and private courses in the area. From the Wyndham Championship, which is a professional tournament on the PGA tour, to high school matches to people out on putting greens, all levels of golf are available in Greensboro. The above photo shows someone smoothing out the sand on one of the sand trap features at the Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club. This course is located at Carlson Dairy Road. This course has Zeon zoysiagrass which tends to be a little hardier than Bermudagrass.*

As feasible, the bulk of the work on a course is done early in the morning and in the evening, before and after the groups are playing. For people who like to work out of doors, this job can be very rewarding. In addition to working on the grass, greens, and rough areas, the ponds and lakes need attention, too. For higher levels of expertise, many golf associations have agronomist superintendents. If you play golf, know that there are plenty of people working to keep the courses in the best shape possible. Some years, cold and heat are responsible for damage. So far, this year in Greensboro, rain has been a challenge!

* reference and golf-industry article about Greensboro courses, here, if you are interested.

Pallet Gardening as seen at Ciener Botanical Garden

The people of Greensboro are getting increasingly conscious about sustainable living, and so are our neighbors in surrounding counties. The above photo features a planter made out of shipping pallets, those wooden structures that used to be just about impossible to get rid of. The above planter is on site at Ciener Botanical Garden in nearby Kernersville (Forsyth County). Some garden cloth is stapled to the pallets, creating a trough-like bottom that can be filled with soil and then plants. The technique makes it easy to garden vertically and would be conducive to planting climbing plants like squash, cucumbers, and beans. 

If you are doing any creative gardening, creative recycling, or a combination of the two, let us know and we'll try to get by to photograph your efforts. Pallet containers are great for community gardens where produce is grown to share with the local community. If you have time during the week, head over to Ciener Botanical Garden to see its seven lovely, well-appointed acres. To be sure, you will leave with ideas for your own yard.