A Little Break from the Turtles and Bluebirds

Although Passion Vine (Passsiflora incarnata), or Maypops, grows readily in our area it is not always as obvious as you might think having such a showy flower. It doesn’t seem to climb as well as Trumpet Vine or Coral Honeysuckle and is often found sprawling on the ground or across and through other vegataion, hiding it from view. Maypops plays host to several tropical species of butterfly which, unfortunately for us here in North Carolina, occur mainly in Florida. TheRead more
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Algae on the Falls

The waterfall and pool below the falls inside the Black Bear Exhibit has some interesting algal growth. Here’s some images: The pool is scheduled to be cleaned next weekend, so if the long, flowing, green algae appeals to your senses, whether artistic or otherwise, stop by this week because it may soon be gone. Enjoy!        Read more

Bananas?

Banana Trees at the Museum? You might expect to see banana trees in the Conservatory of the Butterfly House with all of its tropical butterflies fluttering about, but did you know that they grow along the Dinosaur Trail? The most common variety of banana tree grown in our area is a cold hardy species called Musa basjoo. This variety produces fruit, but the fruit are small and full of seeds which makes eating them more work than fun. The bananasRead more
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Eating what’s in Season

The Museum’s gray squirrels have shifted their diet from elm to mulberry. The dark succulent berries of the mulberry trees are ripening as I write and the squirrels have found them. I found them too, and they are delicious! I don’t know a mammal or bird that would pass up a big juicy mulberry. It’s a good thing that the trees produce copious amount of the berries, too many if you talk to homeowners that have them next to theirRead more

Blooms and Butterflies.

Photos of a handful of flowers and leps which can currently be seen as you stroll the Museum’s grounds. And one beetle that typically doesn’t show up till mid-April. Go out and see what you can find!Read more

All Together Now…

In April of 2009 Eastern Redbub, Flowering Dogwood, and Wisteria were all in bloom at the same time. Typically, the sequence goes as follows, redbud, dogwood, and wisteria. Well, once again, all three are in bloom at once, this time in March! And, keeping with the theme “All Together Now…” Enjoy!Read more

Floral News

Thanks to the mild temperatures this winter, the Mahonia (Mahonia sp.), Grape-holly, or whatever it is that you prefer to call it, on the Dinosaur Trail has been in bloom continuously since the fall. It now has berries where once, bright yellow flowers lured honey bees, various flies, and ants to perform the pollination duties. These plants should provide a good crop of berries for the birds this year. Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is showing its first sprouts of theRead more