Greensboro Daily Photo

Contrails Over Carlson Dairy Road

Yesterday morning, we were out driving around enjoying the beautiful fall morning when we noticed the well-defined condensation trails, or contrails. When the air is moist, these aircraft exhaust clouds can last for an extended period of time. In the above photo, taken on Hedrick Drive in the Carlson Dairy Road area, the contrails  point to the exact location of Piedmont Triad International Airport, They are passing over Proehlific Park and are higher then they appear. Ice particles usually combine to form contrails at  a cruising altitude.

Soon, all of this color will be gone, but for now, you should still be able to drive around and see great fall color on the leaves that are still hanging on. One friend said that soon, he will have neighbors again; meaning that when the leaves are gone, the neighbors' houses will be in plain view again. Finally, a lot of stores are starting to have their holiday open houses. If you are out and about this weekend, in addition to admiring the natural beauty of Greensboro, also stop in and buy something from local vendors- especially local artists.

Happy Saturday!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy Another Night of the Full Supermoon

Last night was the first of two supermoons in 2021. The other one will be in May.  A supermoon appears bigger because it is closer to the earth. Last night, the moon was 222,064 miles from the earth, about 8% closer than the average.* It was called the pink moon, but it didn't really present itself as pink. The moon was bright and for the most part, the sky over Greensboro was clear. The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro is a suburban neighborhood. The lighting against the white brick added a nice horizontal orientation to the photo.

The moon sets today (Tuesday, 4,27) at 6:59 am and rises tonight at 8:58 pm with 100% illumination in Greensboro. Follow the moon phases in Greensboro, here. If you want to try to photograph the moon, first, bring out your good camera. If you are using your phone, portrait mode seems to work best- even though no person is detected! Also, find a place where you can see the horizon line, a body of water works well. There is the moon report for today. The skies should be clear tonight; so, stake out your moon viewing site and sit back and enjoy. Happy Tuesday and Happy Moonbathing- no flashlight required!

*reference and more information about supermoons, here.

Sunday on South Elm

Yesterday people were out and about in Greensboro. Red Cinema was open, brew pubs had people all around, and Elm Street was hopping. The above photo was taken at the Green Bean and is a good example of people spending time outdoors. The weather was beautiful, sunny and not too hot. The temperature hovered in the 60s for most of the day. Downtown Greensboro has also added a evening event on Saturday evenings, part of Elm Street is closed off to cars so that pedestrians are able to walk freely along the street. With the warm weather, "Open Streets" is really gaining traction.

Here is a list of some of the events happening in downtown Greensboro. For example, tonight is open mic night at Stumble Stilskins. Tomorrow is the Run and Walk Club meet up at Little Brother Brewing and also Trivia Night at SouthEnd Brewing. We hope you have a great week and that you find good safe ways to engage with the people, places, and businesses of Greensboro- whether you are downtown or on the outskirts. Oh, and dress for fun. People watching is back!

The Beautiful Greensboro Arboretum

The Greensboro Arboretum is 17-acres of glorious green space between Ashland Avenue and West Market Street. According to the Greensboro Beautiful website, there are 14 plant collections at the Arboretum. From the Jim Gallucci arched entranceway to the butterfly garden, it is the kind of place where every time you go, you can see something different. One time you may focus on plantings, another, on the structural features. The Arboretum is a very different place when events are being held there, like Summer Solstice, Candlefest, or one of the art events.

Last weekend,  The Greensboro Parks and Recreation department hosted a chalk walk here, where individuals and groups made chalk drawings on the promenade and visitors voted through their phones. The above photo was taken from a bridge at the end of the Arboretum closest to Lindley Park- near the chalk drawings. As you can see, the forsythia have their yellow blooms now and it has been so rainy lately that the stream is full. If you are looking for something lovely to do this weekend, consider heading to the Arboretum. If you think this seen looks like spring, you should walk through the Arboretum and you will experience what spring FEELS like! This lovely space is now open from 8 am- 7 pm.

Yesterday Was a Rainbow Afternoon In Greensboro!

Yesterday's rainbow in Greensboro (and High Point) was glorious. At about 6:30, the sun came out, after a dark day with the threat of strong winds and a torrential downpour. The above view of the rainbow was just west of North Battleground Avenue. It is easy to focus on the bad, but we need to remember to look for the good. The rainbow is, perhaps, the most glorious of all weather events. 

Even though today promises to be a rainy day, remember to be on the lookout for the rainbow, even if it isn't a literal rainbow. If you are looking for something to do tonight, events are starting up again. Here is a list of some local happenings. There are options from Friday Nite Live with DJ Deron Juan at Boston's on Arnold Street to a performance of Porgy and Bess at the Well-Spring Theatre.

Happy Friday, Greensboro!

Stacking Wood: After the Storm

Let's hope the anticipated high winds predicted don't materialize in Greensboro today. The possibility of high winds got us thinking about our most recent storms. When we had the ice storm about a month ago, we were passing this house on Hedrick Drive and noticed this wood cut and piled ever so neatly. We started to stop and see if it was available for firewood, but didn't. That would be a nice gesture, though. If you have a branch that falls, to cut it up and, if you don't need it, share it with friends who have fire pits, fireplaces, or who like to grill with wood. If there is one thing we have learned in this pandemic year is that even when we are alone, we can find ways to be together and to help each other. Greensboro comes by its name honestly and we are a community with a lot of trees. Let's hope our trees weather this one with grace.

There are some fabulous places in the area to purchase firewood (like Ace Firewood in McLeansville and Storm-Felled Firedwoods in Browns Summit). You never know, they may also take wood off your hand. Be safe everyone!

Big Sky Over Greensboro

Yesterday's post was of Airforce 1 on one of its circles around Greensboro. Today, we're featuring the sky over the Greensboro Country Club's Farm Course at Carlson Dairy Road. Whereas Monday's sky was sunny and cloudless, the sky on Tuesday morning was riddled with clouds. These winter skies can be so beautiful with the sun hovering closer to the horizon. The sky was so dramatic, it was hard to believe that it was real. Also, by late afternoon, the temperature was 68 degrees. That is indeed a drastic switch from some of the cold weather there we have been experiencing. Curiously, when we checked back late afternoon, the clouds had moved on.

This is the first week that middle and high school students in Guilford County are transitioning back to school, with sixth and ninth graders attending first. If you know any students in those grades, you likely saw some smiles, as they were so excited to be transitioning to the next level up in their education. Today will be a day of in-person school for these grades and then Friday is asynchronous so teachers can go get round one of vaccinations. May we all be as encouraging as possible to teachers, students, and families as they all adjust to all of the changes and transitions. It has been just under a year since some students have been in a classroom. Today won't be quite as warm, but it will be equally sunny, especially if we focus on the bright side of life. Have a great day!

Camellias

Yesterday we featured hellebores; today it is camellias. This northwest Greensboro camellia bush is blooming in full glory. It is fighting hard to keep its blooms bright as the ice surrounds it. This photo show the beauty of the Greensboro landscape. Even when trees have dropped their leaves, there are holly trees (to the left) camellias and other evergreens to add color and texture to the landscape. If you absolutely love camellias, many local nurseries sell them; however, there is also a nursery that specializes in them. Cam Too Camellia Nursery is located at 805 Oakbury Court. It is located off of Highway 150, just west of Northern High School and a stone's throw from Gethsemane Garden Nursery. Established in 1982, the nursery encompasses 60 acres. The excitement of a specialty nursery is that the owners work diligently to produce hardier, more resilient, and more beautiful varieties with a longer blooming season. When you go to these specialty nurseries in Greensboro, and you show a sincere interest in their product, you have a friend for life!

We hope you are warm, safe, and making the most of what Leslie Jordan calls "hunkering down"! 

Guilford College Woods on Fat Tuesday, 2021

Visiting the Jefferson Road and Bennington Drive yesterday, we noted several trees down as a result of the ice storm and extra soggy soil. Some people are still without power as a result of this recent bout of winter weather in Greensboro. The overcast, foggy weather seemed to highlight the beauty of the woods. The carpet of green moss is absolutely lovely this time of year. Notice how it appears at the edge of the woods, turns a vibrant green as it approaches the blanket of leaves, and then, just stops. Continue through that woods and you will come out at Guilford College. We will type what the historic marker says, as it can be a little difficult to read from the above angle."

"240-acre oasis of biodiversity. Land of Saura and Keyawee, settled by European American Friends (Quakers) in the 1700s. Site of encampment of British and American troops in the Revolutionary War. Refuge for enslaved Africans seeking freedom via the Underground Railroad and Quaker men escaping Civil War Confederate draft in the 1800s. Site of former college farm.Educational and recreational resource."

May it always remain this oasis of biodiversity! Happy Tuesday. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Greensboro has never been a big Mardi Gras town; however, since tomorrow Lent begins and if you prepare for Easter through self-denial during Lent, today is your last day to live it up, hence the name Fat Tuesday. Have a great day, whether you decide to take a walk in the woods or to don some purple, green, and gold beads and join some virtual revelers in celebration.

The Very, Very, Light Dusting of SNOW

Early Thursday morning, the rain turned to snow in Greensboro.  While roads weren't bad, snow was melting snow and refreezing with the the temperature holding remaining near 32 degrees. The above photo shows the light dusting of snow in the northern end of the city. As you can see, the morning sun was shining brightly. Today and tomorrow are predicted to be  sunny, with temperatures ranging between a low of 21 and a high of 42. Enjoy the sunshine because there is a good chance it will snow again on Sunday. December-January are predicted to be the coldest months here. However, in Greensboro, there have been so few bad weather days this season, we really can't complain. And, just think, Monday is already February 1 and Tuesday is Candelaria/Candlemas on the Christian calendar,  and Groundhog Day on the calendar of lighthearted fun calendar. Do you celebrate either? Both? If you celebrate the former, buy some candles this weekend. As for the latter, if you want spring to arrive early, hope the groundhog does not see his shadow.

Guilford County Schools posted that all school would be remote yesterday. People on social media sites were lamenting the end of "snow days" as we have known them. Now, when it snows, instead of having no school and needing to make up a day, students simply have a day of learning remotely. The pandemic has really taught us the importance of being connected to the digital world and it has also taught us how much we enjoy being together. Have a great weekend and may you find things to do that afford a little (safe) fun.

The Snowy Day

Yesterday, in Greensboro, as the sun was setting, the snowflakes started sticking. The above photo shows the intersection on West Market Street, where it intersects with Friendly Avenue. Temperatures hovered in the low 30s. For a few hours after dark, it started raining melting the snow that was sticking. Then about 10pm, it started getting colder again. GCS schools were 100% remote today over concern of the impending inclement weather. It did arrive, albeit a little later than anticipated.

Usually, when the first snow comes, regardless of how short-lived, people rush out to get sleds. A good place to look is at any hardware store. If you are downtown, last time we checked, Hudson's Hill (527 South Elm Street) had them. Do you have a favorite place to sled ride in Greensboro? We often see children on the hill at Brittish Woods, near the pond at Battleground Avenue. In the event there is enough snow for sled riding, here is a 2015 News & Record article about some other good places to go sledding in the area.*  If there is a snow day and you can't get out, consider listening to this classic from 1962, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, 

 

*Terrific Sledding.

 

Skating

Today's photo features the "pop-up" skating rink in downtown Greensboro. It is located in the parking lot, just west of Elm Street accessible from Lewis Street. You can see the Eugene Street traffic heading into town above the rink. The rink was not very crowded yesterday, but the middle and high school students out on the rink seemed to be having fun. The Piedmont Winterfest is technically located at 123 West Lewis Street. The rink will be open until January 31st. According to the schedule on their website, skating will be open today from noon until 4pm, closed on Christmas Day and then open again on December 26th from noon-10pm. The cost is $12 for a one hour and forty five minute session and you can pre-purchase tickets, which is a good idea since they have to limit the crowds for safety.

Longer Days & Shorter Nights!

Yesterday, the winter solstice, turned out to be a glorious day in Greensboro. The temperature was well into the 50s and remained above freezing.  The above photo was taken yesterday, from the bridge at Lake Higgins. It was just before 5:00 pm and the sun was ready to dip below the horizon. The sky was minimally cloudy, meaning good visibility for The Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus-  or the Christmas Star as it is also called. Many people in Greensboro and in the Triad got photographs of that event. The best photos were taken through telescopes and the moons of Jupiter and rings of Saturn were visible. What a treat to have clear skies last night.

Yesterday, social media was buzzing about the fact that Air Force 1 was touching down in Greensboro. It is not uncommon for the US President's plane to fly into Greensboro. PTI Airport is close to Washington, D.C., the air port is not very busy, there are multiple runways, and they are long. This makes conditions ideal for approaches, landings, and take offs of the President's plane. Indeed, December 21st, 2020 was a busy day in the skies above Greensboro. On the shortest day, meteorologically speaking, conditions were perfect for landings, take offs, sunsets, and viewing planets! Now, today, days start getting longer and it should be sunny.

Life is good in Greensboro!

Sunset Tonight 507 pm

Darkness is arriving noticeably sooner. Tonight, in Greensboro, the sun will set at 5:07 p.m. Once we embrace the darkness, it can actually be fun to head outside at sunset and twilight and see the magical skies. The above photo was taken off of Clifton Road and Merritt Drive. The above silhouette looks like it could be on a rural farm. In reality, it is a photo of the western skies from a parking lot on the western side of town. 

The winter solstice will be on Monday, December 21st. There will also be a "Christmas star" that night- the two giant gas planets will be the closest together they have been since the 17th century.*  In Greensboro, it is currently predicted to rain on Sunday and be partly cloud on Monday. Let's hope the skies will be clear enough to see this Christmas/solstice star. Maybe we can wish upon a star...or a planet! Happy Friday, we are connecting to Skywatch Friday. Click that link and you can see sky shots from all over planet earth!

* reference and read more HERE.

Landscaping and Preparing for Colder Days

Thanksgiving week, there were some beautiful, fall days, and, it was as if all of Greensboro were out working on their yards. Leaves were being raked; dead branches bundled; beds were getting mulched, and more. The above photo features some holly trees being shaped. The crew working on this project in northwest Greensboro was from Benitez Landscape Lawn Services. They were working hard, taking great care to be safe and to get the holly trees balanced into a conical shape. The crew had not finished the crowns of the trees at the time of the photo. With all of the rain this year, the female hollies have really produced a lot of berries and the leaves are especially green. The texture of the foliage was especially vibrant against the cloudless, blue sky.

Today is predicted to be cold in Greensboro ranging from a low of 25°F to a high of 45°F. However, given that today is the first day of December, 'tis the season for cold weather. Happy December 1st; Happy Tuesday.

By the way, if you don't feel like doing those landscaping jobs for yourself, the number on the back of the green crew shirts for Benitez was 336-668-8076.

Summer Gardens Winding Down... Cool Weather Gardens Winding Up!

These watermelons, grown in northwest Greensboro, remind us that summer gardens are quickly winding down. Soon, it will be time to pull up summer plants and plant winter, cool-weather crops like greens, broccoli, beets, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage. If you haven't tried gardening before, the fall crops would be a great place to start. If your summer garden didn't turn out as expected, the the cool weather vegetables give you a second chance. Here are some great pointers from the NC Cooperative Extension and here is their absolute beginner's guide.  Summerfield Gardens has an organic garden and they pick by hand. Soon, they will have gourds galore for you to pick from for your fall decorating. Some of those gourds actually look like the above watermelons. Actually, now that we think about it, watermelon are a member the cucurbitaceae plant family of gourds! Happy Tuesday! Happy harvesting! 

 

Amanita Caesar Mushroom

It is not usual for August to be the "rainy season" in Greensboro, but this August has been extremely wet. The average August rainfall in Greensboro is about 3.8 inches (U.S. Climate Data). It appears that Greensboro has already had close to 7" this month (see here), almost double. With rain comes mushrooms, and they are currently abundant. All of these mature trees and natural mulch in Greensboro are the perfect host for mushrooms. The above photo is an Amanita Caesar mushroom found near an oak tree. If you look closely, you can see an acorn and cap in the background.

These mushrooms are so beautiful and almost jump out at you when out walking. If you are spending a lot of time working or studying from home, please take time to get out and enjoy nature. With a little practice, it is pretty easy to identify mushrooms. However, never, never, eat mushrooms unless you are with an expert. It is really best to leave them alone and let nature take its course. The woodland animals seem to really love the Amanita Caesars.

Happy Tuesday, and happy second day of virtual/online/remote school, if you teach or have someone in your life who is a student in Guilford County. Have patience. Every day will get easier and better. Take a mushroom hunting break on your scheduled time for exercise.

Rainy Day On Tuesday

Yesterday was an extremely rainy one in Greensboro. The above photo is of a rain barrel, purchased from A&B Seed Farmers Market Garden Center. Unfortunately, it was not installed to get filled with yesterday's rain. Rain barrels are a great way to harvest water to use for watering gardens and other outdoor greenery. 

Yesterday, in Greensboro, it rained 2.31 inches, although it seemed like 10 inches- the way it filled wheel barrows and outdoor containers! Here is a weather tracking website that lets you see weather by day, week, month and location. As an example, yesterday, in Greensboro, the bulk of yesterday's downpour came between 3-6am. The rest of the day was just damp and drizzly. The temperature dropped about 10 degrees yesterday from the low 60s to the low 50s. The rest of the week will be pretty rainy. So, you still have time to purchase a rain barrel.... AND install it. There are several options, from terra cotta, to the flat-back barrel model, to the plainer, more-standard models like the one above. Rain barrels help reduce the fast and furious runoff that comes from large, hard man-made surfaces, like roofs.

Spring in Greensboro

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

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

Reflecting on Life and Spring Blossoms

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

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

Nature and the Glorious Sky along Bryan Blvd

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

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

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

Snow Day 2020

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

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

It Was a Dark & Stormy Night

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

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

Hellebores: Blooming Flowers of Winter!

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

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

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

*  reference and more in  formation, here.

Gray Skies

We are less than two weeks away from the true start of winter and days like yesterday remind us that winter is on its way. The above photo features the sky at about 4:45 pm on Mill Street, facing Battleground Avenue. The sky was dark and gray, even though the temperature was unseasonably warm- in the high 50's.  

It is easy to feel a little down on gloomy afternoons. However, for a pick-me-up, head to Sunset Hills to see all of the giant balls of Christmas lights up in the trees. The neon red in the background is Kickback Jacks, also a reminder that it may take a little more work, but we can find light and color, even on gray days. Happy Wednesday!

Wavy Sky

This past Sunday, the sky over Greensboro was filled with wavy clouds. The sun was shining, but it was cool, and the clouds looked like visible waves of wind. The above photo was taken on Gallimore Dairy Road, facing north in the direction of the airport. It seems like fall weather is conducive to interesting skies.

Are you a skywatcher? If so, pay special attention to the fall sunsets. Let us know if you have suggestions for the best places in Greensboro to weather watch. We often get that question, especially regarding viewing a full moon low to the horizon. We tend to go for serendipity and pull off the road as we see something photo-worthy. However, we'd love to have so me "go to" spots.

Happy Wednesday. Feeling groovy from the positive effects of this groovy wavy skyscape!

O. Henry Hotel & Green Valley Grill

The O. Henry Hotel and Green Valley Grill, established in 1998, were both busy last night. The evening air was hot and balmy. The restaurant and bar were full of people out celebrating the weekend. Shortly before 9:00 p.m., the rain fell, and the wind was blowing rather fiercely. Fortunately, at the hotel and restaurant, the power didn't go out. For those only eating, it was a good place to wait out the storm. While all the guests were warm and cozy enjoying the evening, the outdoor areas of the property, including this courtyard, were hauntingly empty during the downpour.

Temperatures dropped to 63 degrees by early this morning and today will be significantly cooler. Enjoy your Saturday, and know that once the sun sets around 8:00 p.m. tonight, it could possibly rain again. When one is able to enjoy the rain from a dry, safe place, the views are hauntingly beautiful. 

Monday's Storm: View from South Elm Street

 

Monday afternoon brought quite a rain, wind, and hail storm through downtown Greensboro. The above photo features  the 200 block of South Elm street after the storm swept through. A tree branch broke off in front of Crafted. The ginkgo biloba leaves created a carpet of green up and down the block. The female tree dropped her seed pods that smell like stinky fruit. Many of the businesses closed early. Some appeared to be without power. For the 5-6pm time slot, the roads were eerily empty. 

We took this photo after most of the storm had passed. We had sheltered in place in the public library with the car parked safely in the covered parking deck on Church Street. People from all walks of life banded together to wait out the storm. Hopefully nobody was hurt. Storms can be dangerous, but sometimes it is nice to take pause and realize that we humans don't have absolute control over everything in our lives. Something about this street scene is beautiful.

 

And Rain Brings Frogs

Well, it rained and rained in Greensboro over the last day and a half, but there is not more rain predicted this week. It is amazing how quickly temperatures cooled with the rain. From mid-90s to mid 60s, a drop of thirty degrees.

Today's tree frog photo is a little blurry, but it is the best we could do when this frog hopped on the back door during this last rainstorm. Those sucker-like, sticky pads on its feet make resting on glass super easy. With the lights on inside, there must have been bugs around to attract the frog. There are over thirty different kinds of frogs in North Carolina. If you want to see better photos, see our 2017 photo, here; and the 2018 one, here. We hope to make a frog photo an annual event. But you know how nature is; unpredictable!

Early Morning Sunlight

Yesterday's post was sunset in Greensboro after a rainy Sunday that ended with a sunny evening. Yesterday morning, the skies were crisp as if rinsed clean and so beautiful against all of those spring shades of green. The sky was filled with stripes, dots, and dashes of clouds; a celestial morse code, of sorts. Have a great week and please find a way to get out to walk your dog, or have a walk during the day. This is the kind of weather in Greensboro that is perfect for riding bikes or walking in one of the local parks.

The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro, where there are some fabulous patches of green and great vantage points for admiring the sky.

Happy Tuesday, regardless of where you may be.

Heading South, DOWNTOWN, On Highway 220

Over the couple of decades, North Battleground has gone from seeming like a sleepy little part of Greensboro, far from downtown to a busy access road to the Greensboro Urban Loop. Highway 220 is the north/south road stretching from Rockingham, NC in Richmond County, to its interchange with New York State Route 17. 

The above photo was taken yesterday, at about 6:30 pm, when the bright sun, low to the horizon brought out the color in everything. Earlier in the day, it actually snowed in Greensboro. It isn't very common for us to have an April snow. Fortunately, temperatures didn't drop below freezing and it seems that the blossoms may have been spared. While today's photo has no sign of vegetation, that beautiful sky lets us know that nature is glorious!

Happy Spring!

 

It seems like it took forever for spring to arrive in Greensboro, but spring is finally here! Now,  the season will start flying. With trees budding and flowers blooming, azaleas and dogwoods ready to bloom,  Greensboro will enter one of its most beautiful times of the year. Last night, a full moon coincided with the vernal equinox. The moon was especially beautiful as it was setting yesterday morning in Greensboro. The above photo was taken near Lake Higgins as it was setting between two evergreens. When the moon is full, and it is not overcast, you don't even need a flashlight to walk around the block.

Both Passover and Easter are tied to the lunar calendar. Passover is celebrated on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, and Easter can't be before Passover. Now, the Jewish community waits patiently until April 19th, for the next full moon, and for Passover to start. And then, Sunday, April 21st Christians will celebrate Easter.  Happy Thursday! Happy Spring!

Spring Is On Its Way...

 

Signs of spring are here, in Greensboro. Today is a beautiful Saturday. The sun is shining, the early flowers are pushing their way through mulch, pine straw, and leaves from deciduous trees. The above crocus plants are volunteers, staking their space under a sweet gum tree. At long last, Greensboro has a reprieve from rain, with nice weather predicted for the week. By about mid-July, we'll probably be begging for rain.

In the meantime, today is the 238 Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. If you are up for it, head over to see one of the most historic events in Greensboro, the Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Today and tomorrow, there will be events to bring Revolutionary War history alive.

Baseball Season Is Upon Us

With all of the high schools, AAU teams, institutions of higher education and the Greensboro Grasshoppers, there are so many options to see baseball in Guilford County. The above photo shows the dugout at Guilford College. This past Sunday, the Guilford College Quakers played the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets. Unfortunately for the Quakers, the Yellow Jackets won. 

If you want to attend their next home game, it will be against William Peace tomorrow at 3:00 p.m., at exactly the same time as the Underground Railroad Tour on campus. You could go on the tour, which will probably be brief, and then stop by the game. At least it stays light longer now to enjoy these options in the afternoon/early evening.