Greensboro Daily Photo

Happy MLK Day... First Snow 2022 Yesterday

Well, it happened. We got our first snow of 2022 on January 16th. The snow started about 6:30 am and an accumulation of snow and ice continued throughout the day. People sent rumors that Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel was headed to Greensboro. To our knowledge, he was only in Asheville. The snow and ice continued into the evening. Today is predicted to be sunny. According to Accuweather, 71% of Greensboro received 1-3" of snow with 1% receiving 6" and 1% receiving less than 1%. In the early hours of the morning, the snow was really light and fluffy; as the sleet and ice came, the snow got wetter and heavier. During the day, temperatures hovered in the 20s and actually warmed into the 30s after dark. 

We heard from so many people in Greensboro who spent much of Saturday cooking up a storm... or, that is, in anticipation of a storm. The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro as we were out on a morning walk. It is alway fun to get out and romp in the snow; less so, of course if it is work related. Speaking of work, we are one of those holdout families who receives home delivery of the Greensboro News & Record. Our Sunday paper yesterday was double bagged and actually delivered to our doorstep. We love supporting the community paper and are grateful the delivery drivers are willing to brave the elements. Thank you to everyone who is working through the storm.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is intended to be a day of service. It looks like this year, the MLK Day of Service through the Volunteer Center at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State's Student Center will host this event, open to the public, next Sunday, January 23rd from 3-5pm (see HERE).

Happy Monday and stay safe regardless of what you decide to do.

Sunset on Gallimore Dairy Road

Happy sunny day, today, Greensboro. This photo was taken this past Sunday at the corner of Gallimore Dairy Road and the access ramp to I-40. We were struck by the vantage point and being able to see the sun as it was setting in the western sky on one of the shortest days of the year. This strip of road and entrance/exit ramps looks so expansive, especially when you are the only car. For once, we weren't anxious for the light to turn green, but could have stayed for a good while watching the changes to the winter sky. 

There is so much history tied to this part of Greensboro. near the N.C. 68 corridor in the western end of town and northern end of High Point. At one time dairying was the number one industry around here. That's why you have Gallimore Dairy Road, it was built on landt that used to have a dairy farm. While dairy farming declined here in the late 1960s, it was all but gone by the 1980s with much of the grazing land replaced by houses.*  Like they say, time marches on and changes are made as demographics change. But, for one brief moment the other day, we were on Gallimore Dairy Road, looking at the sun set and it was almost as if we were in a cow pasture at the end of a long day on the farm. Then, as you can see above, the light turned green and off we went.

Happy Thursday, the night before the night before Christmas! 

* reference and more information HERE.

Goodbye, Fall Colors

The above photo was taken earlier in the week on Walker Avenue on the westernmost edge of University of North Carolina Greensboro. The leaves are still beautiful on a day when the sky is blue. The photo in the foreground is a Japanese maple that has been especially showy this year with a combination of red and orange leaves. The UNCG campus has a wide variety of beautiful trees. While Greensboro has just about reached the end of the fall color, it is still not too late to head outside and see the lovely happenings of fall. The squirrels are having a field day with all of the acorns this year. If you are looking for a project with children or students, growing oak trees from acorns would be fun and helpful to the environment.

On another note, if you like sun, earth, moon, and star events, tonight at about 3:00 am,  there will be a deep, partial lunar eclipse. Hopefully, Greensboro will be clear with good visibility. It will also be a full moon. The November full moon is called the Beaver Moon.  The November moon gets its name because this month is when beavers usually build their winter dams. Let us know if you see the eclipse.... or a beaver dam! 

Beautiful Fall Day in Midtown

After a cold snap and our first frost, yesterday was a glorious fall day with temperatures rising above 70 degrees. As we were out on a photo shoot yesterday on Westover Terrace in Midtown, this convertible stopped at the stoplight near Hardee's and asked us to photograph them. They are students at UNCG and were out driving around on this sunny day. Final exams are coming up soon, so how wonderful  they carved out a little time for a joy ride. It was such a joy to interact with them. It is so easy to interact with people in public and to be nice to each other. They made our day with their joy and and enthusiasm.

If you like to see fall colors like the one above, this week is probably about the last of peak. Head out and see for yourself with or without a convertible. Happy Wednesday!

Southern Magnolia

The southern  magnolia is an evergreen tree with large, white, showy and scented blossoms in the spring. Now, the flowers are long gone and this is the time of year when the magnolia tree berries are in their prime. They are ripe for all of the animals to devour, and the seeds inside are perfect for cultivating. You have to get them while they are fresh, they cannot dry out. Also, the process of growing a tree from a seed is rather laborious. Read about it and consider trying to grow a tree from seed (see HERE). The better bet is to find a seedling growing under or around your tree. It is so fascinating that this genus evolved before there were bees, which is why they are pollinated by beetles. If you have a magnolia tree in your yard, you probably see a lot of beetles in the spring. 

The magnolia is beautiful and you can use parts of it almost all year long. The leathery leaves are always beautiful in an arrangement. The flowers are heavenly, and when the pods dry, people also incorporate them into wreaths and other December arrangements. If you want to brighten your day, listen to the Tex-Mex, Americana singer Tish Hinojosa's song about the magnolia tree (HERE).

We think a possum lives in our magnolia, at least we think that is what is scampering around the magnolia tree at night. Happy Thursday!

Frogs and Winter

This past Sunday, even the frogs in Greensboro were getting ready for winter. Soon, these Southern Leopard Frogs* will find their hibernating space for winter. Then, in early spring, these cold blooded creatures will emerge to mate and, even if we don't see them, we will hear them. These frogs are native to eastern North America. They eat bugs and beetles so they are really good to have around in the yard. Remember, if you use insecticides, they are traveling up the food chain through the frogs. This one could have been looking for a place to hibernate among the leaves and silt in the potted plants. They need to be protected from extreme cold and in a place where they won't dry out.

What are you doing to get ready for winter? With these cooler temperatures over the last few days, it is beginning to feel a lot more like fall. And this little froggie knows it. Happy Wednesday!

*at least that's what we think it is. It could also be a Pickerel frog. Do you know?

Here, Here!

This photo of yesterday's orange sunset here, here in Greensboro only hints at how lovely the sky actually was. The title of today's post, "Here, Here," is a nod to the book, "There, There," by Tommy Orange. Orange's book was selected to be the "One City; One Book" event in Greensboro this fall. In his book, Orange quotes Gertrude Stein who said,  "There is no there, there" in reference to the fact that the Oakland, CA of her childhood had changed so much that everything that used to be there was no longer there. One of Orange's characters likens that quote to exactly what happened to Native people (pp. 38-39). Perhaps here, here is the opposite of there, there.

Orange will come to The Terrace at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex at 7:00 pm on November 18, 2021. There will be many other events related to the One City; One Book event. This News & Record article gives more details about the events and also the book. North Carolina has eight Native tribes; so, the book is especially relevant to our state. Our community is so lucky that the City of Greensboro and the public library system offer us such a rich literary opportunity. You've got about a month to read the book. We got our copy at Scuppernong Books downtown. The library has copies for loan- if they aren't all checked out. We can't wait for Orange to come here to talk about there, there.  Hopefully Tommy Orange will have a chance to see some of our bucolic views, like the one above. Happy Thursday! 

Cooling October Days

Today's photo was taken earlier in the week on Brass Cannon Court, a residential street tucked neatly at the end of the neighborhood that wraps around the Greensboro Country Club Farm Course. While there are houses to the right and left, if you look due east, there is a relatively unobstructed view of trees and big sky. It also shows how glorious the afternoon can look with the sun closer to the horizon and shadows stretching along the way. The crepe myrtle to the left has just started taking on some fall color. Indeed, Greensboro is on the cusp of the transition to fall. L.M. Montgomery, author of "Anne of Green Gables," wrote, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."  

While Montgomery lived in Canada, where fall comes earlier, the quote is so fitting for Greensboro. We live half way between the beach and the mountains. October is one of the busiest months for North Carolinians to get to the beach. There are fewer tourists from elsewhere and we can get there in just a few hours. Also, from Greensboro, the mountains are a short day trip away, making it possible to head up to apple orchards and to see fall a richer color palate ahead of ours, due to being at a higher elevation. The anticipated temperature range for Greensboro today is from 57º to 77º which means sweater weather! Grab a wrap to keep warm early morning and evening, but during the day, when the scene looks like the one above, you can tie that sweater around your waist and keep walking. Have a great Wednesday and may you find a way to celebrate the season. Even the animals are scurrying around taking advantage of the October weather.

Fall Is Pumpkin Time

Pumpkin season is upon us. Youth groups will be selling them all over town. Remember when pumpkins for fall and Halloween were mostly orange? Well, for several years now, it has been almost as easy to find an ornamental pumpkin as it is the more traditional, orange one. The above assortment was for sale at Sprouts on Battleground Avenue. Not only the grocery stores but the farmers markets and local farms will be selling them. This will be a good weekend to get one while the selection is still good, and, if you don't cut it, it will last through the end of October and longer.

If you want to plan ahead and go out for pumpkins this weekend, here is a list of pumpkin patches by county in North Carolina. Fall is also a time for corn maizes and spooky woods. If you want a super fun event less than an hour south of Greensboro, consider attending "Boo at the Zoo". The first one will be October 16th from 9:00 am- 4:00 pm. See here for details. If you love fall and want to plan a trip to the mountains to see fall colors, here is a map. If you like pumpkin spice flavor.... well, let's just say your options are limitless. From Dairy Queen's  Pumpkin Pie Blizzard to all the the pumpkin spice possibliities at your local coffee shop, you will have no shortage of fall flavoring. We wonder just which companies use flavoring from Greensboro's very own Mother Murphy's. Happy Wednesday! Happy October! Happy Autumn!

Pumpkin Time

Pumpkin season is upon us. Youth groups will be selling them all over town. Remember when pumpkins for fall and Halloween were mostly orange? Well, for several years now, it has been almost as easy to find an ornamental pumpkin as it is the more traditional, orange one. The above assortment was for sale at Sprouts on Battleground Avenue. Not only the grocery stores but the farmers markets and local farms will be selling them. This will be a good weekend to get one while the selection is still good, and, if you don't cut it, it will last through the end of October and longer.

Blue and White Sky over Northwest Greensboro

Yesterday's weather and sky evokes an Ann of Green Gables (Lucy Maud Montgomery) quote. "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." In October, the air takes on a crispness unique to this time of year. The sky yesterday was full of clouds that usually only seem this voluminous when one is high in the sky in an airplane. The October air is clear and the summer constellations are still visible. If you want to learn more about October stargazing, on October 23rd, there is a field course offered at Gransfather Mountain (see details, here). Grandfather is about 2 1/3 hours due east from Greensboro.

The above photo was taken on Carlson Dairy Road, almost at Pleasant Ridge. This farm on the right is so charming and reminds us of the rural look that used to dominate this area. The sun will set tonight just about 7pm. If you can find an open space with an unobstructed view of the sky it might be fun to go watch. There will be some rain tonight, but rainy skies can be beautiful, too. Yesterday's clouds have just been waiting to drop this water. It would be a good week to aerate your lawn Happy Tuesday!

From Caterpillar to What?

Now is the time when nature begins to go through rapid change. From leaves turning colors and falling to the ground to animals getting ready for the cold, dark days ahead, it is as if we can see these changes before our eyes. One local friend has a monarch butterfly chrysalis on the brink of becoming a butterfly just in time to join the other monarchs on the journey to Mexico for the winter. The above fuzzy caterpillar, definitely not destined to be a monarch butterfly, was seen a few days ago crawling along on our door frame.

Thanks to the limitless resources on the Internet, we think this caterpillar is a banded tussock moth caterpillar. We found a site that lets you search by state and this is the one that most resembles the above creature. They are in the tiger moth family and they eat the leaves of hardwoods. There are hardwoods nearby where we found it. This creature was first described in 1787 by J.E. Smith. In the U.S.south, two or more generations are found per year. According to Wikipedia, the pupae overwinter in gray cocoons that have larval hairs on them. They are late season feeders, so seeing one this past week in Greensboro makes perfect sense. Nature is so fascinating. The more you study it, the more you see how animals are attracted to the plants and other animals that contribute to their well being. It is awe inspiring to be sitting in Greensboro looking at a moth that an entomologist in the late 18th century was also studying.

If you see a strange bug or other creature this fall,  take a little time and learn about it. To be sure, it will lead you to understanding the plant life around you. As for us, we have a banded tussock moth caterpillar because we have hardwoods. We have beetles because we have a magnolia; that latter relationship, however, seems more dynamic in the spring. Happy Monday, happy exploring the flora and fauna around you. Let us know if you've ever seen one of these caterpillars.

Lovely Fall Day

The above photo, taken at Bur-Mil Park,  which the City of Greensboro has owned since 1989. The scene reminds us of the beauty of nature. We're not sure why the roots on the trees have formed like this, but they add so much intrigue to the water's edge. Bur-Mil Park features golf, tennis, biking and hiking. While the swimming pool is no longer open in fall, there is plenty to do in the 250 acre park. Actually, the above scene is just down from the Wildlife Education Center, on Lake Brandt. Fishing is available during the day. Throughout the year, Bur-Mil is  only closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's, and Thanksgiving.

The Owl's Roost neighborhood has grown up around Bur-Mil. While there aren't stores or churches there, just about anything one would need is available within a few mile radius.Today should be a lovely fall day with the low in the 60's and high in the 80s. Have a good one and try to spend at least some of it out of doors. Greensboro is just so beautiful this time of year. Happy Sunday!

Spray of Clouds

We love to brag about how beautiful Greensboro is in the spring, with all of the azaleas and dogwood blooming. However the crisp fall nights this week have been pretty spectacular. At 3:00 a.m. this morning, the temperature dropped to 63 degrees, which qualifies as sweater weather. It is also possible to sleep with the windows open, or go camping. The above photo features the sunset last night. We happened to be out walking near Carlson Dairy Road and the sky was filled with a spray of clouds that looked like it was radiating from Lake Higgins. What could make clouds take that form? It seems like it must be winds coming from the west. 

If you look up in the tree tops, you just may notice butterflies migrating south. They fly higher when migrating. While the butterfly sightings are best in the North Carolina mountains, you can still see some around Greensboro.* If you want to learn about the monarch migration, here is a link to the group that actually tags them so they can gather data. It is hard to believe that something that weight less than a paper clip can be tagged and tracked. Happy Wednesday and, whatever you do, carve away a little time to get outside. We'd like to think there were butterflies floating along in those clouds last night.

 

* more about migration of butterflies in North Carolina Here.

Autumn 2021

Happy fall; it is the first day of autumn. We leave the summer behind and edge into the cooler weather and fewer hours of daylight. The above photo, taken in northwest Gre3ensboro shows a doe trying to decide where she should rest for the night. Local deer hunters will know that Guilford County is currently in the season to hunt deer with bow and arrow, and males only. The females are still tending their young. We are in the central deer zone.

Many people feed urban deer and even try to keep them as pets. Wildlife experts advise us that the deer are actually better off if they have to forage on their own and they eat a diet that is healthier for them. Fawns who are fed on urban lawns don't learn to forage- a survival skill. It is not legal to keep a deer as a pet. So, they are best admired from afar. They are such beautiful creature. Happy Wednesday. Happy deer hunting, our favorite way; with a camera! Happy autumn. It is a beautiful season in Greensboro.

Ode to Kudzu

You know it is late summer in Greensboro when the kudzu plants are in full bloom and some of the pods have gone to seed. They say kudzu is the plant that ate the south as it is especially fond of our climate. In early summer, has tenacious roots and can grow up to a foot a day!  If you visit the Wal-Mart on North Battleground, you can see the kudzu covered trees. Some patches of the trails along Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway at Lake Brandt are covered with kudzu- which is where this photo was taken. At least the blossoms are fragrant, smelling something like wild grapes. We wonder if some civic groups could get volunteers to go out and tackle the kudzu. Or, is it just here to stay? Kudzu takes over vegetation by blocking out light. 

If you want to learn more about kudzu, read here. If you want to see kudzu, head out for a hike. Some people make baskets out of the woody, mature vines; and, some people make jelly out of the flowers. So, if you want to forage for some free food or basket-making material, head to your nearest kudzu patch. Oh, and by the way, there really is at least one ode to kudzu. See here!

Happy Saturday. For those of us who aren't at the beach, in the mountains, at Hoppin' John at Shakori Hills, or Merlefest, let's hit the trails and explore Greensboro!

Almost Fall in Greensboro

So, this is what early September looks like in Greensboro, North Carolina. The lives on the trees are holding on tightly and they are green. The air is hinting that cooler days are coming. Perennials and annuals still have flowers. However, before you know it, fall will be here in its full glory. The above yard is in northern Greensboro. The owners are trying to decide how they should landscape to have less grass. What would you do to make this yard look more like a retreat?

Look at the sky. Those clouds are so beautiful against the blue sky. While it might rain in parts of Greensboro today. Every indication is that it will be nice and sunny for the NC Folk Festival.  We hope you are planning to spend as much time as possible out of doors this weekend. This time of year is the absolute best for enjoying the outdoors in Greensboro. And see all of those mature trees? They are what keep the "green" in Greensboro.  Look at how many shades of green there are in this photo... Happy Thursday!

Labor Day 2021

Happy Labor Day 2016. We hope you are lucky enough to have the day off. The purpose of the holiday is a day to celebrate "the social and economic achievements of American workers." Many Greensboro businesses will be closed, so call before you head out somewhere. Even better, take a day to just spend at home. We plan to take another hike on one of the trails around Greensboro. The above mushrooms were seen recently on the Laurel Bluff Trail. If you like to hike, the Laurel Bluff Trail is very nice because it is for pedestrians only. You won't have to share the trail with bikes. Be careful if you walk it, as there are lots of exposed roots, a couple of trees across the path, and some kudzu to tackle.* The Laurel Bluff Trail is 3.5 miles long and it takes you through woodland along the edge of Reedy Fork Creek from the east end of Lake Brandt to Lake Townsend.

The mushrooms in the center of the photo are about the size of a small adult hand. If you look to the left at the small white circle, that is actually more mushrooms and we're betting they'll be about the size of the ones in the middle of the photo by today. Although mushrooms are fungi, they have more in common with humans than with plants. Their DNA is similar to humans and they can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.** However, please do not harvest the mushrooms. Leave them alone, as the forest needs them. We are so lucky to have a great trail system in Greensboro and it is great to have time to get out and explore them!

* Greensboro Trail System

**reference and more mushroom information, here.

Hello September!

Happy September, the 244th day of the year. In Greensboro, this month brings First Friday  (Sept 3rd) and the Folk Festival (September 10th-12th). The 22nd brings the first day of fall. In September, in Greensboro, the average high temperature is 81° and the average low is 61°, so we will start to feel it cooling off a little. On average, there are seven days of rain. Let's hope we are all spared extreme weather events.

The above photo was taken in August in the garden center at Lowe's on Battleground Avenue. Imagine our surprise when a Hummingbird Clearwing moth was fluttering around the flowers on the parking lot. We wonder if was just eating or also laying eggs. It was pollinating up a storm the day we watched it. It is a migratory species; perhaps it was storing up food for a long trip.  We hope you have a great month and that you take advantage of all of the events Greensboro has to offer, especially the ones outdoors. The event calendar maintained by Downtown Greensboro is a great place to start to keep up with happenings around town.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Today's photo features an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly. Have you seen many butterflies in Greensboro this summer? We have only seen a few prior to this past week. Lately, a few have been visiting the zinnias in our backyard. In 2012, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to make this butterfly the official state butterfly. It is said to be common and found in all 100 counties. If you like butterflies, you have a few options in the Greensboro/Guilford County area. First, there is the R.R. Allen Butterfly Garden and Fountain at the Greensboro Arboretum on 401 Ashland Drive. Additionally, All A Flutter Farms is located off of Highway 68 on Clinard Farms Road, just north of High Point. At this agritourism farm and nursery, you will have the opportunity to learn about these beautiful creatures. See here for All-A-Flutter's website. We all need to do our part to help these pollinators thrive.

We were a little worried earlier in the summer, but, in the end, the zinnias pulled through and attracted the swallowtails! Happy Thursday!

Tobacco: All Rows Lead to the Tobacco Barn!

Tobacco has been such a big part of the history of Greensboro, Guilford County, and North Carolina. Peak production in Greensboro was the 1890s.  P. Lorillard was the nation's oldest tobacco company when they built a manufacturing plant in Greensboro in the mid-twentieth century. Back when we would spend a lot of time in east Greensboro, we remember smelling tobacco being prepared and always tried to guess the flavors being added- chocolate was the easiest to identify. You could smell it from Lorillard all the way over to Dudley High School. In the 1980s, the local tobacco industry really fell on hard times. By 1989, Greensboro passed the most restrictive smoking ordinance in North Carolina.* In the 1990s, it was the state's top cash crop, but Guilford County is not in the top ten tobacco growing counties. 

We don't want to encourage smoking by any means; however, it is important for people to recognize the crop and recognize the role it has played in shaping the local economy. As you can see in the above tobacco field on Highway 150, it grows well in sand. This is a hardy crop that has been well tended. It is always fun to see a crop, pull of the road, and get a few photos. With all of the construction happening locally and land is selling for such a premium, continuing to farm any crop is quite a commitment. Would you recognize a field of tobacco? Study this one and then keep your eye out. This week, we've got you seeking out a new bakery, searching for purple LED lights, and now tobacco fields. Stick with Greensboro Daily Photo and we will lead you to interesting places!

Happy Wednesday. What will tomorrow bring?

 

*reference here and and here for more information.

Purple Lights at Montessori School

On Saturday, it was a dark and stormy night... Greensboro had some strange weather this past weekend. On Saturday, the skies darkened early and there was rain, wind, thunder, and lightning. The northwest part of town was experiencing a lot of thunder and lightning. The above photo was taken in the parking lot of the Montessori School on Horse Pen Creek Road. The above photo was taken without any filters. The lighting in the parking lot casts a deep purple glow. As you can see back behind the school, in the eastern sky, it was not yet dark when the photo was taken. Ominous clouds had formed overhead. Fox News did a piece recently that said working LED lights give off no color, but defective versions of the lights emit blue or purple light. Apparently, the defective lights are a nationwide problem. Less than 1.4% is defective and some people are on a mission to find them.*

Don't be fooled by the photo. By day, Greensboro Montessori is a very different place. Established in 1974, the school is committed to providing personalized and hands-on learning for students. This campus has 10 acres with four permaculture gardens, multiple outside play spaces, and more. They also have a 37-acre satellite campus in Oak Ridge. Having hands-on experiences, outdoors in nature is an important part of the Greensboro Montessori experience. However, standing alone in the parking lot, on a dark and stormy night, with even the green apples on a tree looking purple, made the evening eerie, but fun!  If you are ever driving past 2856 Horse Pen Creek Road at night, notice the lighting. If you drive by during the day, notice the creative land use. Happy Tuesday!

 

*read more about the LED purple lights, here.

Deer & Fawn

Some days, we start the day wondering what we can photograph to feature on Greensboro Daily Photo. Other days, we're sitting around having a cup of coffee and a photo lands in our lap. This mother and her fawn were walking by right in front of us. We thought they were going to pass by without noticing us but the fawn noticed us, first! The little one is turning to the right, just about to run away and the doe was not far behind. Greensboro has so many deer within the city limits. Likely, this is the second round of babies for this doe. They need to be born late enough in the spring or early enough in the summer so that there is sufficient food and agreeable weather.

The hunting forums talk about the size of the deer in Guilford County. This past fall, a local hunter, Tory Pegg, killed a 31 point buck in Guilford County.* But, not to worry for the above family, it is not hunting season for deer now and, as long as they stay in the city, they should be safe. We do need to be careful though, as Guilford County ranks second in the state for car crashes with deer and 90 percent of the animal=related crashes involve deer .** Only Wake County has more crashed.

Well, it is Friday. We hope you have a happy weekend and that you get out some to enjoy the beauty of the community around you.

 

• link to article, here. Do not read if hunting stories are a trigger for you.
• ** car crashed with deer, here.

Blueberries As Yard Plantings

If you follow Greensboro Daily Photo, you probably know that we're big advocates of planting edibles. These blueberry bush is planted in a flowerbed (in lieu of flowers) in our back yard. This photo was taken late afternoon yesterday when we were picking the ripe berries. This was about the third time we had picked between a pint or two from a a single bush. Nature is good about not having them all become ripe on the same day. In Greensboro, blueberry bushes are readily available at the local nurseries. There are several varieties. If you are considering planting, they all grow well here; however, some bushes get larger than others, and some berries are larger than others. Be sure to plant something that will still fit in the space once the bush is mature.

There are several blueberry farms in the Greensboro area: Blueberry Thrill Farm in Gibsonville; Kernodle's Blueberry Farm in McLeansville; Blueberry Hill in Colfax; and Honey Sweet Blueberry Farm in Reidsville. Call the farm or check their website for hours and to see if they sell bushes or just blueberries. It is fun to get out and talk to the farmers. Blueberry Thrill has been around since 1982; that's almost 40 years of blueberry goodness on that one farm alone. Blueberry bushes are pretty in the fall, too. Plant edibles; you won't regret it, and the birds will thank you! Just look how pretty they are. Happy Tuesday, July 6th... fireworks should be behind us for another year!

Seasonal Foods Like Watermelon Milkshakes!

Yesterday was opening day for watermelon milkshakes at Cook Out and according to servers, "That's all customers want!". We always try to get one on opening day, bring it to our flower garden, and enjoy it with a few slices of watermelon on the side- which is exactly what you see in the above photo. The watermelon slices are cold with a hint of ice crystals, perfect for cooling you off on a hot day like today. (We won't tell you how Mr. GDP described the weather today). Anyway, Cook Out is a local company started right here in  Greensboro in 1989. Over the last thirty-two years, Cook Out has expanded to over 100 cities and has stores in ten states; and they aren't done growing.

We are so accustomed to getting any food, anytime we want it. If something is out of season in the northern hemisphere, we ship it in from the southern. Or, in some cases, the produce is grown in a hothouse. It is refreshing to have foods and menu items that are seasonally available. Cook Out only sells watermelon shakes in July and August; so,  you only have sixty-two days to try one. Even if you don't crave watermelon milkshakes, perhaps you flock to the farmers markets for North Carolina peaches. Some varieties of peaches are already ripe and readily available. Are there any local or seasonal foods that you crave? Where do you get them in Greensboro? You will have plenty of options this weekend with the farmers markets. Also, there are Fourth of July activities in Greensboro this weekend. The Fourth of July Celebration Picnic is tomorrow from 11am-3pm at Keeley Park in McLeansville (July 3rd);  The Fun Fourth Festival on South Elm Street is also tomorrow (July 3) from 4-9 pm. Note that there are no vendors this year as Greensboro is easing back into public events, post-Covid. This will be even more reason to visit those farmers markets and find something seasonal to pack for a snack. In the meantime, we'll probably be heading for another watermelon milkshake... or two! Happy Second, Third, and Fourth of July! 

(that minute you look at your photograph and notice some of your landscaping rocks have been relocated, or might be missing)!!!!!

Got Mimosas?

The mimosa tree is an iconic part of the Southern landscape and they grow well in Greensboro. They are considered a "pioneer" plant, because they travel to any land that is newly clearled. They grow rapidly and seeds abound. Southern Living refers to the mimosa as a "wonderful, awful weed" and lament that they will grow anywhere, including cracks of sidewalks out of a week part of a wall; in other words, this deciduous tree is invasive. There are several colors; however the pink variety in today's photo is the most common. It is located at the end of Carlson Terrace. Likely, it snuck in when they were clearing the lots for this new neighborhood. The lots with mimosas are unimproved. There are no signs of mimosas on the lost with houses. That's about how mimosas work.

There is a new variety with red-brown leaves, referred to as a chocolate mimosa that have started appearing in landscaping. We're on the lookout for one in Greensboro. Have you seen a chocolate mimosa here? If so, where? We'd love to see one in person. We'll drive by and check it out. But first, we've got to get to Cook Out for opening day of watermelon milkshakes! As we're looking at these pink mimosas, we're wondering why they are called mimosas since they are orange. As a matter of fact, we see pink and green, watermelon colors, in today's photos.

Happy July 1st!

Bald Eagle Trail

If you don't mind getting a little wet, it is awfully fun to hike in the rain. Yesterday, we spent the morning on Bald Eagle Trail, beside Lake Higgins, and it was if the fungi and lichen came alive during the rain. As we walked in the reverse direction on this trail in northwest Greensboro, the colors were brighter and more saturated. The above photo shows fungi growing on a log near the entrance to the trail. The fungi in the above photo protruded in a line that extended the entire length of the decaying tree; not just on this underpart, but up all along the bark, too. Do you notice the millipede up on the right? There were several on the tree. Millipedes are known to be excellent decomposers. They don't bite, but they do secrete a toxin, so it is best to leave them alone, doing their work at enhancing the soil on the forest floor. 

Perhaps we shouldn't tell you (we have some readers with a real fear of snakes), but we did see a copperhead off to the edge of the trail. Our picture of the snake was confirmed to be a copperhead by the N.C. Snake Identification & Education group on Facebook. That group is open to the public and its membership exceeds 28 thousand. They are wonderful about accurately identifying a snake with a photo and a location. This group will help you be less afraid of snakes and will help you realize that if you keep your distance, the snakes won't bother you. As for trail walking, including Bald Eagle, please walk where you walk, keeps dogs on a leash, and have an adult walk in front of and behind children on the trail. If you take time to stop and notice, it is amazing what you will see.

St Timothy's United Methodist Church

Yesterday, we featured part of the property, one of the lakes, on the property at St. Timothy's United Methodist Church, located at 5228 Hilltop Road is what is actually Jamestown. In traveling along Hilltop Road, we saw at least four churches. Some are giant like Gate City Baptist and Community Fellowship Church. Others are smaller like St. Timothy's UMC and The Unitarian Universalist Church up near College Road. St. Timothy's in a small, but inclusive church with the following welcome statement, "At St. Timothy's, we practice the radical welcome of God and we believe that all people are of equal sacred worth and dignity. And ALL means ALL, y’all! We embrace and affirm people of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, family structures, economic status, political persuasions, physical and mental abilities, and faith histories. " 

This is a church with women at the helm. Rev. Nikki Raye Rice is pastor and Nancy Cole is lead musician and choir director.  This little church, nestled in the woods, just a stone's throw away from Adam's Farm and retail on West Wendover, is a gem of a respite where God, people, good deeds, nature, and music converge. If you are interesting in visiting, outdoor services should start at 11am today. See here for more details. Happy Sunday!

Musings from the Lake at St. Timothy's

Today's photo was taken just off of Hilltop road, on the property of St. Timothy's United Methodist Church. We'll feature the actual church tomorrow, but for today, we're sharing this little spot that is perfect for reflecting and appreciating nature. It is right across from Adam's Farm at Adam's Farm Parkway. Hilltop used to be a sleepy little two lane road; now it is four lanes with a turn lane in the middle. A thin layer of trees separates this quite area from traffic and the bustle of suburbia. There are even benches for quiet reflection along St. Timothy's ponds. We are sitting on one installed by Jack and Pat Lambert in memory of Bill Shelor and Margie Kirby. What an act of love to install a bench.

 It is hard to believe that in the late 1980's, this whole area was woods and that soon, what was 710 acres of trees and fields would become 1,600 houses and 900 apartments. Adams Farm, just across the street from this spot, was a one of Greensboro's early big, planned-unit,  suburban developments.*  Adams Farm has its own, lake- 17 acres. Soon, we'll wander over to and take some photos at Adams Farm. It is hard to imagine that those first babies born in Adams Farm are now are now in their mid 30s!. As for today, we'll sit right here, listening to birds chirp and frogs croak, admiring these beautiful, yet tenacious daisies. 

Wonder what we would see and hear, were we to sit here until church starts in the morning. 

 

* Read this interesting News & Record article about the Adams Farm neighborhood concept here. (We are so thankful to community journalism and the archives it establishes).

Fledglings Vs. Nestlings

Do you know the difference between a fledgling and a nestling? Above, is a fledgling. Its parents, a pair of cardinals, were nearby, monitoring this baby bird's every move. It couldn't quite fly yet, but could hop around and balance on branches. This baby is a fledgling and should be left alone to continue on its journey to learning to fly. We saw it when we were on a walk in northwest Greensboro, near Horse Pen Creek Road. A nestling is a bird that can't even stand on its own, and it almost looks naked Nestlings, probably won't survive if they fall out of the nest, but fledglings will. As a matter of fact, their road to flying is being scaffolded. Greensboro's own Happy Tails Veterinary Clinic shares a lot about baby animals, here.a lot

We took the above photo a few weeks ago; so, by now, there aren't as many fledglings in Greensboro. But, we can still be on the lookout for small animals and, in most cases, let nature take its course. We hope you have a happy Friday and that you get out to explore the city a little today. Complete unrelated to baby birds, but, related to things to do in Greensboro, please consider attending Porchfest in Dunleath tomorrow. Unfortunately, we won't be able to stop by, but there will be so much live music going on in the neighborhood. Please check out the events (HERE), and do be on the lookout for animals in the road... including humans!

 

Spirit of Life

Do you ever notice a path and take it to see where it leads? We did that the other day, not too far from Lake Higgins. Initially, we were struck by the change in elevation*; the hill was quite steep. Sometimes Greensboro seems like it is completely flat, but as you head north of the city, change in elevation becomes more apparent. At the bottom of the hill in the photo, beside this triangular, moss-covered boulder, with birds chirping all around, Carolyn McDade's song, spirit of life came to mind. 

Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

These six lines are so calming and peaceful. While most closely associated with the Unitarian Universalist church (see here), the message seems fitting for any religion. We hope you have a lovely Sunday and that perhaps take that walk off the beaten path and find your special secret place in Greensboro. 

*Officially, Greensboro's elevation is listed as 892'. Having spent the last thirteen years trying to develop expertise on Greensboro, we reckon we should know elevation, and population (291,303). We get asked the population question a lot, but don't think we've ever been asked about Greensboro's elevation.

Oh, Groundhog

It is so fun to go on walks in Greensboro. You never know what you are going to see. This one was seen foraging along Jessup Grove Road. Groundhogs are largest species in the squirrel family. With these warm, dry days, groundhogs have been out in full force.  This one was either a juvenile or one that hasn't been out of hibernation long. It was very skinny. The dark markings on the fur were curious.

Some people, especially gardeners, see them as destructive pests. Actually, they are important in the food chain. They mostly eat plants (and sometime garden vegetables), but they also eat grubs and snails. Their favorite place to forage is just like the area above, the transition edge between open, grassy areas and thickets. If you see big mounds of soil and a deep hole, chances are you have a groundhog. The above groundhog must accustomed to lots of road noise as it wasn't nearly as skittish as most. They are native to North Carolina and populations are said to be stable, actually increasing. The groundhog at the Greensboro Science Center died in 2013, and, the last we heard, he hadn't been replaced. Wonder if they are in the market for one! Happy Wednesday; we know, hump day, not Groundhog Day!

2426 Camden Road

Yesterday afternoon, Camden Road was filled with families out for a stroll. Some children were riding bicycles, one toddler was dressed in a princess outfit, many people had dogs, neighbors were in their front yards talking. Truly, the Sunset Hills/Lindley Park neighborhoods were enjoying every moment of the overcast skies. Temperatures were in the mid-60s, but it seemed cooler since the sun wasn't out. The above photo is of 2426 Camden Road, just a few blocks away from Lindley Elementary School. According to the signage in the yard, this house has a graduating senior. Most of the schools are having in-person graduation services this year. Let's hope that is the case for this soon-to-be graduate.

This house, built in 1927, is a lot bigger than it looks from the front. According to Zillow, it is 2,400 square feet with five bedrooms and two baths. The landscaping on the property continues to delight people who are out strolling along the sidewalks. As you can see, the front yard of the house is filled with raised beds, and right now, the foxgloves are putting on a glorious show. Foxglove stems were a big hit when they were at the Corner Market on Walker and Elam. Now, we're wondering if by chance they came from this house! We're also wondering if the black cat lives here, or if he has just stopped by for a visit.

Happy Monday! We hope you have a great week and you are in a position to get out and enjoy all of the effort people are putting into their Greensboro yards.

Black Rat Snake Time

OK Greensboro,  the weather has warmed and snakes are out now. We saw this black rat snake in our backyard this weekend. They are not snakes that look for trouble. The snake saw me before I saw him and he froze, hoping not to draw any attention to himself. These snakes are non-venomous but will strike if they don't have a choice. However, their real superpower is that they are proficient climbers. Somehow, they can scale walls and trees with no evidence of having any way to grip. They earned their name because they eat their fair share of mice and rodents. If you see one, please leave it alone. 

The North Carolina Wildlife Commission is a great place to start to learn more about snakes.* There is also a Facebook group called N.C. Snake Identification & Education. If you don't mind seeing photos of snakes, this is a great place to learn about snakes and really to become less afraid of them. Happy Thursday and sorry, if you are feeling you can't "unsee" this photo!

 

*see here. 

Tulip Poplar Time in Greensboro

Those who are pollen sensitive know that trees are just about completely leafed out in Greensboro. The above photo is of a blossom that dropped from a tulip poplar tree. The tulip poplars get their name from the green/orange flowers the tree produces. It is actually more closely related to the magnolia tree than either a tulip or a poplar* It is the state tree of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana; however, it grows well in Greensboro. The tree itself is pretty because it tends to grow straight and it is one of the tallest hardwoods.

If you have one in your yard, or you see one, let us know. This one was seen on a property in northeast Greensboro. Bees are known to make honey from the nectar in these flowers. Happy Monday!

* Reference and more information, here.

Elizabeth Hawks Herring Garden

Today's photo features one of the main views at the Elizabeth Hawks Herring Garden. It is located on the northeast side of campus at UNCG. Dr. William B. Herring, MD funded the garden in memory of his wife who was a great lover of music and gardening. So, the garden is perfect in its location beside the school of music. If you read about it (here), The design of the garden takes into consideration the sounds and movement of music. There are also areas conducive to practicing music, and we shared one such example last week. For over 20 years, the garden has delighted students, and the public.

The rock to the left of the birdbath has the following inscription, "No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." - William Blake. This birdbath is dedicated in the loving memory of Elizabeth Hawks Herring by her many devoted friends and fellow members of the UNCG Musical Arts Guild. September 19, 2004." What a special place. Thank you, Dr. Herring  for this great garden.

5207 W. Friendly Avenue

This house at 5207 West Friendly Avenue, built in 1939, has so much charm. It sold on April 1st and the new owners must be delighting in those azalea bushes, some of which are 10 feet high. This .5 acre property is located at the westernmost edge of Hamilton Lakes, right across from Guilford College. This Friendly Avenue house was built back when this this end of the county was rather rural.

In 1939, there was no Quaker Village; Hamilton Lakes had not yet been annexed into the City of Greensboro (1957); the town of Guilford College had not yet been annexed (1972). Still, if you drive past this property, you may not notice the house as the landscaping wraps around the property, buffering the house from the road. Drive on the Cannon Road side of the property and it will feel like you stepped back in time. It feels so peaceful and rural you may wonder if it is 1939 again. May the new owners enjoy their little house of tranquility. Happy Wednesday!

Life Along McDowell Drive

Today, we take you to 1204 McDowell Drive in the Green Valley area of Greensboro. This neighborhood is between Friendly Center and the Tanger Bicentennial Garden. It is so beautiful this time of year with all of the azaleas and dogwoods in bloom. The 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house above was built in 1963, back in the days when the satellite neighborhoods (Lake Jeanette, Adams Farm, Carlson Farms, etc.) were not even on the radar screen.

In 1963, David Schenck was mayor and there was a Civil Rights march that year. This was the year that The Women's College changed its name to University of North Carolina at Greensboro.* Meanwhile, back at 1204 McDowell, it was a new street in a neighborhood with streets named after many of the counties of North Carolina.  In 1963, there was a family enjoying their new house and new beginnings in a very beautiful part of town. These azaleas look like they may have been planted since then; however, their pink and white beauty represents a view so common in the years of Greensboro.

Happy Saturday! You still have time to get out and enjoy the beauty of spring in Greensboro.

*reference and interesting timeline, here.

Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market

This past weekend, the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge was filled with beautiful plants and people were out getting flowers and vegetables to plant in their gardens. The parking lots were full; such a drastic change from this time last year. As you can see in the background, people were honoring the wearing of masks and making an effort to socially distance. As you can see in the foreground, the available plants are healthy and beautiful. 

This large indoor/outdoor market is one of five operated by the state of North Carolina. If you are in a farmers market sort of cook, here is a list of farmers markets throughout North Carolina. Every time you visit another community throughout North Carolina, a stop at the farmers market is a great way to get to know a community!

Happy Monday!

Lady Banks Roses In Full Bloom!

Today is our annual Lady Banks Climbing Rose Day. Every year around this time, we stop on Ridgeway Avenue to visit this prolific, thornless bloomer. While these roses are small, the clusters make a beautiful display. The beautiful evergreen foliage loved to climb on fences and arbors and will stay beautiful all year long. They are also disease and pest resistant. 

This little bush in Sunset Hills was first featured on Greensboro Daily Photo back in 2010 and, shortly thereafter, an NCA&T professor tracked town the owner to get permission to get a cutting off of this bush. Someday, we hope to know if that cutting has matured. After eleven years, it should be a beauty in its own right. It is one of the earliest blooming of all roses and it is always fun to record when they bloom. Mark these as blooming, in Greensboro, North Carolina in the first few days of April!

Happy Friday. It is going to be another great day in Greensboro! That link in the above paragraph will lead you to some Lady Banks fun facts, if you are interested.