Greensboro Daily Photo

Time for Recreation on Lake Brandt, Higgins, and Townsend

 

The above photo features a view we had last summer kayaking on Lake Brandt. It reminded us that we need to get out for some water time this summer. Greensboro has three lakes, north of the city; Lake Brandt, Lake Townsend, and Lake Higgins. It is possible to kayak on all three; and,  few times a year, night kayaking is offered (see schedule HERE). Whether you go out by day or night, kayaking on the lakes is great exercise and great fun.

Lake Brandt is a municipal reservoir that was originally built in 1925. It ws expanded in 1958.Lake Higgins was constructed in 1956, and Lake Townsend in 1969. Randleman Lake is the newest lake. While it was conceptualized and initiated in the 1930s, it was not completed until 2004 and officially opened for public recreation in 2010. See HERE for more information on Randleman Lake and Marina.  

See you on the water!

Artichoke Thistle @ Old Greensborough

Today, we're headed back to Old Greensborough for a look at one of the plants currently in bloom around the parking lot. If  the "Seek" app (which is part of iNaturalist)  is correct, this is an artichoke thistle. Wikipedia  indicates the plant is very hardy, can survive drought conditions and , with a little bit of work, parts are edible.* If you saw Monday's post of the Old Greensborough building, you will see that the plantings surrounding the parking lot are beautiful. This photo was taken on the north side of the parking lot.

The Old Greensborough building at the corner of Elm Street and 620 W. Gate City Boulevard has three floors of businesses. To enter the building, it is necessary to have an ID. So, we asked three different groups of people leaving the building about the maintenance of this little, urban wildlife habitat in the heart of the city and every single group had a similar response. This is not a direct quote, but an aggregated response. "I don't know her name, but it is one woman. We used to see her out there with a wheelbarrow working a lot. But, the plants are pretty well established and they come back every year; so, we don't see her as often." We are determined, by the end of the summer, to see "the one lady", to at least find out her name and whether she is part of  and formal garden organization like Master Gardeners or Greensboro Beautiful. We'd love to interview her and give her the recognition she deserves..  

*Learn more about the artichoke thistle HERE.

Happy Wednesday!

Old Greensborough

What did we do upon learning it would be thirty minutes until we were seated for Sunday morning brunch at Chez Genese? We walked all along the south 600 block of Elm Street, of course. The above photo features the Old Greensborough Gateway Center- built in 1919 and housing the Blue Bell Factory. Today, the renovated building functions as an entrepreneurial co-working space (reference and more information HERE). Renovations happened over five years ago, between 2017-2019.  Most noticeable to us on the exterior was the new entrance (just barely visible in the middle of the right margin of this photo) to increase accessibility for all. Also noteworthy is the fact that every bit of the property, not covered with asphalt, sidewalk, or the building itself, has been artfully landscaped. The property is certified wildlife habitat by the national wildlife federation.  It has earned that designation because it provides food, water, cover, and places for wildlife to raise young. 

In walking the property, and using the iNaturalist and SEEK apps, we identified many plants. First, where is just about every color echinacea (cone flower) possible; figs; the American century plant; eastern redbud tree;  floating marsh pennywart; lambs ear, deodar cedar; artichoke thistle;  and, the potentially invasive, border privet. Likely, there are more plants; we stopped researching when our table at Chez Genese was ready. However, the lesson learned is that even tight, urban spaces can become certified as wildlife habitat. There are signs on the lot reminding people to respect the garden, which means touch and take nothing. Of course, the only thing we took were photos, oh,  and the inspiration to help create wildlife habitat anywhere we can. 

Happy Monday!

 

Bluebird at Green Hill

Sundays, we like to post something religious or spiritual at Greensboro Daily Photo. We were walking in Green Hill Cemetery yesterday looking for something to post. There is a large tombstone in for form of a cross near the entrance. The name on one side is Rucker and on the back side Fry. We got our picture, and as we were leaving, saw this male, western bluebird on William Francis Clegg's worn tombstone. Sadly, William was born July 17, 1910 and died a little over a year later on September 13, 1911. We have been using the Merlin Bird ID app daily to identify birds in our Greensboro yard. So, somehow, it felt very special to see this bluebird so close and so low to the ground near downtown Greensboro.

When we looked at the other side of the tombstone and saw William's birthdate, we remembered one of our relatives was also born on July 17, 1910. One of many things we love about Greensboro Daily Photo is that it causes us to notice in ways we might not otherwise notice. We hope you, too,  have something that inspires you to notice the beauty in the little things around you. Green Hill Cemetery, located at 901 Wharton Street, is a very special place to walk and reflect on life and the importance of making our time on earth matter. 

Happy Sunday!

Magnolia Time in Greensboro

Today, we got our first magnolia bloom of the season in our Greensboro yard. Our tree is  a southern magnolia (magnolia grandiflora). It is a mature tree, over 2 1/2 stories high and at least 50 years old. They can live from 80- 120 years, so hopefully, it will be around for a while.

The Southern Magnolia is native to North Carolina, and it is known for its large, fragrant white flowers and glossy leaves. The magnolia is an ancient genus. Magnolias have been around prior to the evolution of bees, so they are actually pollinated by beetles. If you have a large magnolia tree, you may notice more beetles in your yard, on your porch and even in your house. We're going to head around town this week and see where else the magnolias are blooming.

Robin Egg, Babies are Hatching!

Out walking about his weekend, we saw this robin's egg shell. Just look at that lovely blue. Robin eggs incubate in 12-14 days. Hopefully, the baby birds lived. We try to provide a habitat full of berries and a natural setting where they can build their nests.

American robins can be found in North Carolina year-round and winter over here. It is not uncommon for winter roosts to number in the thousands.   They have adapted to a variety of habitats, but in the winter, are more abundant near the coast than in Greensboro. They do like all the berries found locally. 

Robins can have two to three broods a year. If we are lucky, we can go back and find more babies. It is always fun to look.

Happy Wednesday!

Blackberries Blooming in Greensboro!

Give us one more day to feature the flora of Greensboro. Above, you see a photo of our blackberry plants in our yard. They are in full bloom. And, if the deer don't get to them first, we should have a good crop of fruit this year. A hearty, mature plant can yield as much as ten pounds of fruit.  We have a wild, volunteer variety, and, if you look closely, you can see thorns here. Our plants are full of thorns. Perhaps that will deter the deer. Have any of you in Greensboro tried using "Irish Spring" to keep the deer away? 

The blossoms look so pretty and, as with all white blooms, they look so pretty even by the light of the moon. If you want to learn more about blackberries in North Carolina, read this page by NC State Extension. They are one of our main "go to" sources for all local flora and fauna information. Remember to plant edibles. As more and more acreage gets clear-cut for housing and retail in Greensboro,  homeowners will play an important role in helping keep the green in Greensboro!

Happy Tuesday!

Japanese Maple Tree Seeds

As we walked around our yard yesterday, we noticed that the seed pods are starting to form on our Japanese maple. We couldn't remember what we called them in childhood. They are formally called samaras, but we called them helicopters and whirlybirds. That was some good, old, pre-Internet fun. While they are forming now, they won't likely fall until late summer or early fall. These papery seed pods hold seeds which we only recently learned are edible. Right now, they are too small, but if we remember, we will try some this fall.

Japanese maples grow well in Greensboro, as long as the soil is well drained and at least slightly acidic. It might be possible to get Japanese maples from the Greensboro Cooperative Extension Center (3309 Burlington Road). It may also be possible to purchase them from the NC Master Gardeners Association.  The Greensboro Cooperative Extension Center offers many special events. We have always enjoyed the ones we've attended. To see the calendar of events and their other resources, see HERE. With the cooler weather we've had, you still have time to plant.

Happy Monday!

Azalea Time

Azalea time is quickly moving past peak in Greensboro. However, this city is still displaying the beauty of spring, with all of the fresh greens and varied blossoms. Azaleas are commonly grown in Greensboro and can be planted spring or fall. If you like planting native plants, try the Piedmont azalea, the orange azalea, or the sweet azalea. The orange azalea is known for being easy to grow. Also, the encore azalea is popular because it reblooms. Interestingly, all azaleas are rhododendrons, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas!

The above azaleas are hovering near a mature tree that is actually on the old Jessup property on Horse Pen Creek Road. This would be a great time to get out and enjoy the beauty of spring, even if you experience a raindrop or two!

Happy Friday!

Featuring Canada Geese on Earth Day 2025

Happy Earth Day 2025. Earth Day is a fixed date holiday, always April 22. We were out looking around trying to find something to feature and happened upon this family of Canada Geese. They reminded us of the extent to which animals have adapted to co-exist with humans in and around asphalt jungles.

These migratory birds, Canada geese, are found as far north as the Arctic. In Greensboro, they are most likely to be found in Wal-Mart parking lots. They love freshly mowed grass next to a water source,- even retention ponds. Such is the case with the above family. They were grazing on the little patch of grass near a retention pond at the North Battleground Wal-Mart.

North Carolina has both migratory and resident populations of the geese.  It is estimated there are 10-12 thousand in migratory Canada geese and over 100,000 residents. They are a good food source to native predators like foxes and coyotes. The above male goose was pretty aggressive about protecting his hen and their six babies. Traditionally, they lay eggs in March and April and the incubation period lasts 66-30 days. This past week, we have seen them popping up everywhere.

If you get a chance, do something today to celebrate nature and to help it along. Key concepts include, reduce, reuse, recycle, share, protect, plant edibles and native plants. And, don't feed the Canada geese. They know what they need to survive!

Happy 55th Anniversary of Earth Day! Happy 45+ years of resident Canada Geese in Greensboro!

It Is Iris Time in Greensboro.

Easter weekend is upon us. It is time for flowers and floral dresses. We had the best time walking along Walker Avenue, taking the time to notice nature. Guess what? Irises are blooming. We saw these yellow lovelies and also learned that we have a friend who will volunteer to come and help people thin their iris beds; something that should be done every few years. She helps friends for free and since she is the third generation of people in her family to do so. She has agreed to help us in the fall. When she comes, we'll have to feature her on Greensboro Daily Photo. How wonderful life in Greensboro is, especially when it comes to friends helping friends and neighbors helping neighbors. 

Irises don't bloom for long, and each bloom only lasts a day; however, in their prime, they are stunning and the scent is delightful. Here's to everyone having a great weekend. Oh, and at the end of our walk, we landed at Bestway on Walker and found enough goodies to fill Easter baskets for the family. One of the highlights was PARTY CAKE Easter Peeps. Yes, Bestway has party cake flavored peeps. And, by the time you have read this, we just may have busted into the package of peeps.

Happy Saturday!

City of Greensboro Orchard

Greensboro is so lucky to have a public orchard on the greenway at the corner of West Smith Street and Prescott Street, between the western edge of town and the Westerwood neighborhood. On Sunday, in conjunction with the City of Greensboro, the Greensboro Permaculture Guild held an informational session in the first public orchard in Greensboro. Above, guild member and horticultural specialist , Aubrey Cupit shares his expertise with a group. The event was free and open to the public. Aubrey explained how agricultural ecosystems can be sustainable and self-sufficient when people work with nature as opposed to against it. In the session, we learned that a grass mowed lawn with a tree stuck here and there is not a sustainable ecosystem.

In the above photo, you can see that multiple fruit trees have been planted, in what is now a healthy and productive orchard. Fruit trees that do well in Greensboro are plum, cherry, paw paw, persimmons, and figs. If we remember correctly, all of those fruit trees are planted in this space along the greenway. Fostering biodiversity in public spaces and setting up private permaculture spaces is an idea that is gaining traction in Greensboro. If you are interested, go to the Greensboro Permaculture Guild's website, or follow them on Facebook. They do meaningful, community-based activities. As an example, their members have been working to help this orchard thrive. It is a great group of people with a wealth of knowledge, committed to earth care, people care, and fair share!

Happy Tuesday!

In Greensboro, Dogwood Season Is Upon Us

If you live in Greensboro, you know that dogwood season is upon us. Spring is such a lovely time of year here. We have to enjoy every day with these beautiful trees as they will only last a couple of weeks. In Greensboro we have a combination of white and pink dogwoods, and Kousa dogwood and native American dogwood. This year, with Easter being on the late end of the season,*  many plants have already started blooming. 

On sunny days, driving around the older, established neighborhoods in the city, the landscaping will take your breath away this time of year. Old Irving Park, Sunset Hills, Westerwood, College Hill, Hamilton Lakes, and Lindley Park are just a few of the areas that are well worth your while to drive through or even take a walk. The Greensboro Arboretum, Tanger Bicentennial Gardens, and Gateway Gardens  are also a great place to admire nature and to take those special prom photos.

 

*based on the way it is calculated, after the first full moon after the spring equinox, the latest Easter can be is April 25th.

Lady Banks Roses

It is time for our annual photo of Lady Banks roses. The above bush is located at our friend's house in Sunset Hills. We anticipate its blooming with every visit in the spring. It is an heirloom rose that is fairly. hardy and known for being nearly thornless and having hundreds of miniature, buttery yellow blooms. This is the first year we noticed the lovely scent, reminiscent of violets. They love full sun and well-draining soil. It only blooms once in a season, but leaves behind canes of rich green foliage once the blooms are gone.

We may love to look at these roses; however, they are one of many culprits leaving pollen in Greensboro. The count is particularly high now and, if you look at this National Allergy Map, you can see we're in the red. One only needs to look on the cars to see, actually, we're in the yellow. Indeed, car washes are busy now. We hope you aren't too bothered by the pollen and are able to enjoy the abundant beauty around us.

Happy Tuesday! Happy April 1st! 

Spring Sunset In Northwest Greensboro

Yesterday, we got a nice sunset photo in Greensboro and thought we would share it today. However, about 8:15 p.m., we were returning from a walk and saw this view over the golf course of Greensboro Country Club Farm Course. The twilight glow last night was extra special. Somehow the reflection of color in the water feature is so much more vibrant than the actual sky. As spring progresses, this view will change dramatically when as trees leaf out. Not long after this photo, stars were visible. The moon phase was waning crescent at only 28% illumination. Perhaps having less ambient light helped intensify the colors. At any rate, Greensboro is beautiful this time of year and you will likely see lots of photos of nature. It is hard to top.

Happy Tuesday!

Saucer Magnolia

The saucer magnolia is a deciduous tree that blooms early in the spring. They bloom before the leaves emerge. It is a hybrid plant originally bred by the French plantsman Étienne Soulange-Bodin in the early 19th century. They are very popular in Greensboro and are at peek this week. March 20th is the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the saucer magnolia is almost always out by then. Greensboro is a breathtaking sight to behold in spring. If you get a chance, please head out and enjoy the landscape- especially in the established neighborhoods.

(We are sorry about the late publication. With no warning, Typepad was down. We were worried, we'd lost 17 years of daily posts!).

Happy Monday!

Saucer Magnolia

The saucer magnolia is a deciduous tree that blooms early in the spring. They bloom before the leaves emerge. It is a hybrid plant originally bred by the French plantsman Étienne Soulange-Bodin in the early 19th century. They are very popular in Greensboro and are at peek this week. March 20th is the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the saucer magnolia is almost always out by then. Greensboro is a breathtaking sight to behold in spring. If you get a chance, please head out and enjoy the landscape- especially in the established neighborhoods.

(We are sorry about the late publication. With no warning, Typepad was down. We were worried, we'd lost 17 years of daily posts!).

Happy Monday!

Lenten Roses on the Last Sunday before Lent

Tis the season for Lenten roses, or hellebores. This evergreen, flowering perennial is one of the earliest bloomers, coming alive in late winter. They  bloom from late November until May, depending  location, species or hybrid. Their leathery leaves provide ground cover year-round. White is the most dominant color in the Greensboro area, but they come in a variety of colors. We have friends who take great pleasure in seeing how many varieties they can grow: Striped, yellow, the deep purple, almost black, spotted, some that have a slightly metallic highlights, and double flowers. We get ours from friends when they are thinning their herd. Also, locally, Gethsemane Gardens and Nursery specializes in them. If you want them to proliferate in your yard,  remember most hybrids are sterile.

Hellebores like organically rich soil and grow well under trees. They don't seem to be of interest to deer and rabbits, which is a big consideration in many parts of Guilford County. While they are beautiful, they are toxic to humans, cats, and dogs. They are called Lenten roses because the often grow during the Lenten season. Lent this year is from Wednesday, March 5th to Thursday, April 17th. So, the above crop, thriving in our yard,  is right on time. As you are out and about, or on your way to church today, see how many clumps of hellebores there are along the way. 

Happy 1st Sunday in March!

Night Sky Over Greensboro

Last night, we went out walking at sunset to try to find a clear view of the southwest sky since tonight, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune should be visible after sunset. The Cline Observatory in Jamestown is open to the public on clear Friday nights (see HERE). If you are interested in seeing this parade of planets, we suggest you get access to a telescope. It should be a night to remember.

This is the last day of February. Can you believe tomorrow is March! March is always a great month in Greensboro. March 5-9th the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament will be at the Greensboro Coliseum.  Frida, March 7th is First Friday, March 9th is when clocks roll forward an hour for daylight savings time,  and March 20th is the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. Perhaps best of all, signs of spring are popping up everywhere. By the end of the month, the city will be turning green again.

Happy Friday!

Winter Jasmine

This afternoon, we were out urban walking on Highland Avenue, off of Gate City Boulevard. When we saw these flowers, we knew they were too small to be forsythia. But, they are the same color and a similar shape. Using our iNaturalist and Seek apps, we saw that this is winter jasmine. Winter jasmine is a deciduous, perennial shrub. Originally from Tibet and Central China, it is a member of the olive family.  It reminded us that Greensboro plants in Greensboro are about to start blooming. We like to refer to this bloom calendar for North Carolina (see HERE). 

You know we will be out walking and seeing what is in bloom, where, in Greensboro. Up next in February is Columbine; and then a lot will look in March. Try those apps. It is so much fun to increase expertise on plants around us, not only their names, but their origina.

Happy Saturday!

Big Beautiful Night Sky

February has been quite the month for fabulous sky views.  With the cold, clear nights, extended hours of darkness, trees still without leaves, and the planetary alignments, Greensboro has had some spectacular views this month. The above photo was taken a couple of nights ago. The moon wasn't quite full, but it was highly visible. The vapor trails from air planes coming and going from PTI Airport crossed the moon at just the point to make it look like the trails were moon beams. 

According to the sunrise-sunset calendars, Friday, February 14th, Valentines Day, is the last time until November that the sun will set before 6:00 p.m. in Greensboro. Our city is beautiful in every season, and winter is the time to see snow; however, this has been the winter of the big, beautiful, night sky. Find your special, low-light-pollution area to star gaze and have a blast.

Happy Wednesday!

Stars and Planets in the Night Sky

This is a fabulous week for viewing planets in the night sky in NC. Saturday night, several planets were visible in the night sky, the air was calm and crisp. Cell phone photography is not the best for night photography; however, we felt the above photo provides an idea of what the sky looked like on Saturday night in the Piedmont region of North Carolina after that cleansing rain we had on Friday. We weren't as interested in seeing planets as we were marveling how well we could see the start. 

Here is a LINK to a website that tracks planets visible in the night sky in Greensboro and the times they will rise and the extent to which they will be visible. This last night,  here was the reading: Mercury, very difficult to see; Venus, great visibility, Mars, perfect visibility; Jupiter, perfect visibility; Saturn, average visibility; Uranus, average visibility; Neptune, very difficult to see. If you want to visit a planetarium,  UNCG, the Greensboro Science Center, Guilford College, GTTC Jamestown, and High Point University all have planetariums and most publish times when they are open to the public. If you keep your eye out, sometimes there are pop up events around town, too. We owe it to those ancient mariners to be able to look up in the sky and to at least identify some of the major constellations. 

Happy Monday and happy stargazing.

Reflecting on Winter Sunrises in Greensboro

Sunrise is at 7:30 today. Driving around Greensboro, on sunny, winter days, you may notice that it seems as if the sun is always in our eyes. In the northern hemisphere in the winter, the earth's tilt is away from the sun, creating this lower position of the sun on the horizon. This photo shows this intensity. It was taken at 8:30 am, prime rush hour! Sun in our eyes, snow, and cold weather; alas, winter has arrived. According to WFMY News, as of 5:00 am on January 11th, Greensboro had 2.1 inches of snow. Just a little bit north of us (Mayodan, Toast, and Mt. Airy) received between 4-5 inches. Equally challenging were those cold temperatures and winter weather usually lasts through February.

On Friday and today, Guilford County School teachers are teaching remotely, a plan that hasn't been utilized since the COVID Era.  To be sure the central office administrators are doing what they think wisest for the district, making decisions with "an abundance of caution."  And yes, there are GCS employees checking at 3:00 am in various parts of the county to determine road conditions.  We are a big district. While school closures affect businesses and families, at the end of the day, keeping children safe is a top priority. What will the rest of the winter bring? We hope you are safe, warm, and have an understanding boss if you have children at home today and need to stay home with them.

Happy Monday!

Winter Golden Hour

Yesterday,  it was a rather dreary, rainy, overcast day all day in Greensboro. Then, at about 4:00 p.m. the sun came out.  The rain washed the air clean and this was the view when we were out walking. If it hadn't been so dreary, the pre-sunset,  "golden hour" glow up might not have caught our attention. The sun was low to the horizon, giving the dormant brown grass, and the lingering brown leaves, a warm hue. It was just so special and reminded of us of just how beautiful nature is in Greensboro.

The photo was taken at the farm course of the Greensboro Country Club, off of Carlson Dairy. We just had to stop and snap this photo.  Water features may not be so beautiful to golfers, but they are spectacular for photography. We should be back with some more over the top Christmas scenes this weekend or next week. But for now, a palate-cleansing scene like the one above is a pretty special gift.

Happy Thursday!

Let It Snow!

Above is a glimpse of the dusting of snow on the ground in Greensboro yesterday morning. Just like that, temperatures dipped into the 20s and with the cool air, a little snow appeared in the night. Don't be fooled though, the roads were icy. There were several accidents and some roads were closed. The call came in about 4:30 am for Guilford County Schools to be on a three hour delay. By 8:30, the decision was made to cancel school today. It was probably best to not have busses full of children on the roads or high school students driving. We'll see what today brings. Anticipated temperatures are between lows in the 20s to highs in the 40s with temperatures warming by Sunday.

In December, once it gets this cold, winter clothing and Christmas sweaters appear. The temperatures will certainly make it feel like Christmas for those who will be downtown on Friday evening for the Festival of Lights and on Saturday for the Christmas parade.

Happy Wednesday!

Fall, Post Peak in Greensboro

This is what post-peak fall looks like in Greensboro. As you start looking closer, beyond the fall colors in the leaves, you notice the imperfections in the leaves. In both the brown and the yellow and red leaf, something has been busy eating through them. Especially in the leaf on the right, you notice the hole in the middle and the lines on the left. We're not sure what bug made the lines. They look like the lines of leaf miners; however, leaf miners-- the larval stage of moths, beetles, sawflies, wasps, etc.- usually leave behind a leafy veil. It is fascinating to think that nature is hard at work all around us while we are busy buying groceries, doing dishes, and heading to and from work.

Recently, the City of Greensboro decided not to collect leaves blown to the street. They are encouraging us to rake leaves to beds and not bag them. If you need to get rid of them, it is necessary to use the containers supplied by the city. If there is overflow, special brown paper bags are acceptable. We are in a position to rake ours to the side of the lawn and derive great pleasure walking around seeing just what is happening in nature--  hidden in plain sight. We really haven't had a hard frost yet so leaves are still lingering on trees. Maybe they are waiting for a frost. Even collards like  cold temperatures to sweeten their flavor as the starches convert to sugar; another natural process happening all around us.

Happy Monday!

150 Trees Recently Planted at Bennett College

Do you see that young magnolia tree? It is one of 150 trees planted on the campus of Bennett College on November 2nd. In collaboration with with Greensboro Beautiful, volunteers planted these trees-- a combination of willow oaks, white oaks, cherry laurel, sugar maple, and southern magnolias. They were planted to help restore historic and native trees that have been lost over the years.  Bennett staff member, Dr. Anne Hayes, Executive Director of Global & Interdisciplinary Studies at Bennett,  coordinated the partnership with Greensboro Beautiful.  

Greensboro Beautiful is a 501 (c) 3 organization founded in 1968 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the beauty and ecology of Greensboro. According to Christina Larson, Chair of Greensboro Beautiful's Executive Committee, there was actually enough space on the Bennett campus to plant over 200 trees; however, 150 seemed very special since this is the 150th anniversary of the founding of this historically black college for women in east Greensboro. Current Bennett students should take their photo with these trees, return to Founders Weekends in the future and monitor how much the trees have grown. They can show their children and grandchildren their photos with the trees over the decades.  Bennett College is a small, liberal arts college that provides students with many special experiences such as the tree planting, interaction with Fulbright scholars, and the She Wellness Pods we wrote about last week.  By the way, the green container is the back of the wellness pods.

Happy Wednesday, dear readers!

And Just Like That, It Is Fall

This past week, Greensboro trees have really started showing their fall colors. Every year, we love to stop and admire these photos on Westover Terrace,  where the road splits from Battleground Avenue, at Green Valley Road.  Thursday afternoon, we pulled into the parking lot of Ivybrook Academy to admire the fall color in the maple trees near the median and greenway. The long shadows are coming earlier and earlier these days.  

 Greensboro is such a beautiful community. We hope you are out enjoying the neighborhoods and all of the fall colors. If you are interested in experience fall color on the Blue Ridge Parkway, here is a link to see what areas are open. It looks like there are now opportunities to get out and enjoy some of the beauty of the western end of the state. See HERE.

Providence Farm

Providence Farm, located on Huffine Mill Road, is in the eastern end of Guilford County. It is a working farm that, on occasion, invites the public to come tour, see the animals, and learn about farm life. The above photo features one such event this past weekend. You also see the farmhouse, and in the distance, some vendors selling their arts and crafts. Ducklings, literally ducks in a row, are heading up the hill with a couple of children fascinated by their formation.

These ducks were added to the farm this summer at one of the camps held for children to get hands-on experience about farm life and regenerative agriculture. The ducks seem to like it here and have established their own routines. They are free-range ducks. It is kind of amazing the way animals stick around when they are well fed and cared for. Providence Farm will likely be at the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville this weekend. They sell meat, yarn, knitted items, goat  milk soaps, and whatever happens to be ready to take to market. This is the 150th anniversary celebration of the farmers market. Sesquicentennials don't come around very often, so head to the farmers market and enjoy the festivities. Maybe it isn't 150 years, but we seem to recall that this farm has been in the hands of the same family for at least 100. 

Happy Thursday, dear readers

Fall Is Pumpkin Time!

Tis fall and pumpkin season is upon up. It seems like every few years a new variety of pumpkin is trending. This year, it seems to be the striped ones. Traditionally, the first pumpkins of the season we saw were the ones at Centenary UMC on Friendly Avenue. Now that that congregation has been dissolved, the first pumpkins we've seen this year are at Fresh Market. They have a lovely display in front of both stores. The above photo was taken at the Jefferson Village store. The sky was so beautiful, we just had to capture a photo.

Unless they are already on shelves in Greensboro, pumpkins may be a little harder to come by this year. According to the NC Cooperative Extension, most of the pumpkin production in North Carolina takes place in the western counties where  disease pressure is lower (reference).  The you pick option is open for pumpkins at Rudd Farm and some of the proceeds from sales the weekend will go to Hurricane Helene relief. If you are able, consider buying from local farmers. As the weather cools, nothing says fall more than pumpkins... oh, and pumpkin spice. Speaking of fresh market, they even have pumpkin spice popcorn, "Poppy" brand from Asheville. (We only found it at the Jefferson Village location).

Happy Friday from the Great pumpkin lovers at Greensboro Daily Photo!

Jelly Fungus Among Us

North Carolina, including Greensboro,  has been experiencing a lot of rain lately. During all of that wet weather, mushrooms were popping up everywhere. The above variety is known as Trumella mesenteric, or common jelly fungus. Another name, perfect for this time of year, is witch's butter. The gelatinous texture is a sight to behold and feel. The lobed surface feels greasy and slimy when damp. This jelly fungus can dry up and then swell back up when it gets wet again. The above piece of dead wood, that fell from a mature tree during the recent storm,  is the perfect host for this fungus. According to Wikipedia it is edible, but tastes bland.  As for us, we'd want it approved by an Eastern European, German, or rural North Carolina mountain grandmother before we tried it.

If you look closely, you can see that there is another type of mushroom also growing on the tree branch. Jelly fungus seems to be attracting interest. The study of mushrooms in general due to health benefits and therapeutic uses.  Locally, we need to interview Dr. Omon who is one of the nation's leading authorities on mushrooms and is a professor at NC A&T University (read more HERE). He is originally from Nigeria; so, we need to add Nigerian to that list of people we would trust regarding the edibility of mushrooms! Nature is amazing and there is so much to explore right here in Greensboro- especially on lawns or fields that are not excessively groomed.

Happy Thursday!

Tree Down On Bald Eagle Trail at Lake Higgins

After all of the recent rain, we were eager to get outdoors on one of the trails around one of the Greensboro Lakes. We selected the Bald Eagle Trail around Lake Higgins as it has short segments and parking is easy. Here, we were about half way through the hike (between the Lake Higgins Marina and Carlson Dairy Road) when we saw this felled tree. It had been uprooted and knocked down by the high winds and muddy terrain. The base of the hardwood tree was quite large and this usually-fearless terrier was hesitant to jump back down onto the trail. In the background, you see one of the two people out trying to cut the tree so people could walk and bike on the trail.

We could hear the buzzing of the chainsaw near the beginning of the hike. By the time we reached the course, we couldn't even see the person with the saw. At the rate one person can work, it will take a really long time to get this trunk off the trail. However, we sure appreciate his effort. In the meantime, everyone will have to climb up and over. Minor inconveniences like this pale in comparison to what the people of Western North Carolina are experiencing.

Happy Tuesday! Can you believe October is upon us?

Closed Due to Inclement Weather!

According to radar, it looks like Greensboro may be spared excessive damage due to Hurricane Helene. We sure hope so. Yesterday was rainy and precipitation is expected today. Temperatures will remain warm- between 69º- 81º.  The Asheville area of North Carolina has experienced significant flooding; however, high winds are predicted today. Unless the storm takes a significant turn, Greensboro should be spared. Regardless, concern about the weather was significant enough for school to be cancelled. The teachers we know have plans for catching up on grading papers today.

The above photo was taken off Tate Street in the parking lot of the Weatherspoon Art Museum. We were struck at how the museum visitor had a backpack matching the yellow parking lot cone on the left. Rain can do significant damage; however, it is incredibly photogenic- creating a mood that is very different from that of a sunny day.  We hope you are safe and, if you have children home today, may you enjoy every minute with them.

Happy Friday!

Frogs of Greensboro

For today's photo we only had to go as far as our backyard in Greensboro. We have a raised bed planter full of  mustard greens and chard and this tiny frog guards the box diligently. He is only about the size of a thumbnail. We have to watch that we don't disrupt him when we pick greens for dinner. We're not sure what kind of frog he is, but he isn't afraid of his humans.

Below the box, a toad sets up residence every night starting at dark and leaving before dawn. The toad is about the size of an adult hand. If it is indeed the same today we featured earlier (see HERE), he has grown and looks really healthy. It is so fun to stop and observe nature. We hope you have an opportunity to do so. Sometimes, it is just an issue of taking a closer look. Here is a list of amphibians and reptiles in Guilford County, if you are curious about these critters.

Happy Tuesday!

Fall in Greensboro (and) North Carolina

It is officially fall. Fall in North Carolina ranges from crisp weather in the 50s to mid-80s. The above photo is what we're using for a Sunday more spiritual post. The seed heads remind us of the life cycle and change. Within a few days, they open up and start blowing away, leaving nothing but the stem behind. During the first couple of frosts, the base plant will dry up. Next spring, if left unattended, new weeds will sprout wherever the seeds have landed. 

There are so many fall festivals in North Carolina. Today is the final day of Pow Wow in Country Park. Art in the Arboretum will be Sunday, October 6th. October 12th, Bur-Mil Park will host a fall festival. Soon, in Greensboro, leaves will change colors and the landscape is glorious. Nothing is more beautiful than nature and fall and spring in Greensboro as nothing short of spiritual.

Happy Sunday!

Early Fall in Greensboro

This is what "early fall" or, as some call it, "fake fall" looks like in Greensboro. If you are local, you can feel that big temperature drop to the low 50ºs and some days, not even reaching 80º. There has been less humidity in the air. When there is less moisture in the air, the skies aren't as hazy. At least, that's what treehugger.com says. And, when those leaves start changing, those blue skies are a perfect backdrop. Soon, if not already, the monarch butterflies will start their journey back to Mexico and the Blue Ridge Parkway will be the perfect place to go see this miracle of nature. Leaf viewing and visiting orchards are another reason to visit the mountains of North Carolina. For those of us who want to stay more local, on Saturday, September 21st, Karen C. Neill will give garden tours at the N.C. Cooperative's Demonstration Garden at 3390 Burlington Road (see HERE). Eventbrite has about 80 opportunities to celebrate fall (see HERE). And, of course, pumpkin spice everything has already hit the shelves.

In the meantime, we're going to keep taking those long walks to see what nature brings our way. The above photo was taken near Lake Higgins.

Happy Tuesday!

Nature + Cooler Temps + the NC Folk Festival = Fall in Greensboro

It is starting to feel and look like fall in Greensboro. Temperatures are dipping into the 50ºs and it is getting dark earlier. In the above photo, in northeast Greensboro, not too far from Lake Higgins, look at that copper tree bark. The sun is setting earlier, but as it lingers close to the horizon, it casts a breathtaking glow on the tree trunks. The changing, sweater weather is a big sign that fall is on the way.

Another big clue is that it is time for the North Carolin Folk Festival, which comes to town this weekend. Here is the schedule and here is the map. The footprint is a little tighter this year, which is a good thing. It is easier to get from Point A to Point B, yet the acts aren't so close together that they interfere with each other. There will also be lots of vendors and about 20 food trucks. If all the music, and dancing, and workshops kind you needing a break, head out to one of the trails near the lakes and scenes like the one above will reground you and energize you so that you can head back down to the folk festival. Out of all the cities in North Carolina, they chose Greensboro. Let's show our support. See you downtown tomorrow!

Deer

North Carolina's deer population is estimated to be at about 1 million. While you can't hunt in the city limits, the deer is the most hunted game in the state. According to Landwatch, there are 193 properties that are designated "hunting land" in Guilford County. For those in lands designated for hunting, it opens in most areas on September 7th. It is hard to believe that deer were once endangered in North Carolina. With all of the construction, It is more and more common to see deer practically living in suburban back yards, as is the case in the above photo. They are herbivores, so you can count on them eating hosta and other plants. Here, two bucks and a doe are openly grazing in the late afternoon sun in Northwest Greensboro. They are graceful and fun to watch. But they are agile; able to jump a 5 foot fence easily. Do you have them in your yard?

Happy Wednesday!

Passion Flower & Ailanthus Webworm Moth

Recently, when it was overcast and windy, we snapped this photo in an open field in northwest Greensboro. While it is grainy, it captures a little Greensboro flora and fauna at its showiest. The passion flower was in full bloom. That corona is breathtaking. The plant can exude a sticky fluid which traps insects. We're not sure if that is what is happening to that moth. It is an ailanthus webworm moth. It has the coloration of a monarch butterfly and actually likes milkweed, just like the monarch does. They are found from New York to Florida, although we haven't seen one before. But then, it isn't every day that we zoom in at the macro level where subjects are showcased larger than life. Indeed, this bug was hiding in plain sight. Passion flowers are edible; however, we couldn't bring ourselves to pick any. 

As we enter this fourth of five weekends in August, let's head out and take a close up look at the plants around us. Currently, mushrooms are a plenty on the trails around Greensboro's lakes. Monday, the traditional public schools will be back in session. And next weekend if Labor Day. Have you felt the fall weather beginning to sneak in? 

Happy, happy Friday!

Open Pasture on Highwoods Boulevard

We learned from a Triad Business Journal article (3/22/23) that a planned community of 136 single family homes will be built on the above 16.2 acres between Hobbs Road and Jefferson Village Shopping Center. Yesterday, we noticed that a road has been cut through and machinery is being put into place. This is one of the remaining undeveloped parcels of land that is part of the 414 acre property on New Garden Road.  The Jefferson-Pilot Club was located there for 73 years. All employees were entitled to use the club. It was open from 1924- 1997.*  Nearby Price Park and the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library are two small parcels of the land that are open to the public. The public school, Jefferson Elementary, was also built on the Jefferson-Pilot land.

The road reveals the rocky, red clay soil so common around here. The land is fairly flat, so it should be relatively easy to build and homeowners will be surrounded by plenty of shopping.  It was such a beautiful day yesterday. Look at those clouds and notice, dead center in the photo, a bird is flying overhead.  As Greensboro, and all of North Carolina, really, continues to be developed. we hope there is some kind of master plan for green spaces and for land to remain undeveloped. Everybody deserves to sit and take in nature as seen here.

Happy Monday!

* see Jim Schlosser's article in the News & Record, HERE.