Notes from the Back Woods

Nature · Photography

One of the Tropical Orb Weavers

This is a young orb weaver that sports a startling neon green spot on its back. It’s the first I have seen here, probably because during the day this type of spider  sleeps in...

Recipes

Chili

Beans, beans and more beans

Nature

In Praise of Rain

Rain, at last! And, I am not the only one glad to feel it come pattering,  or even pounding down.  Once we recover from the drought,  and the ground gets saturated enough for...

Nature

Snatch it from my hand, Grasshopper.

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, also known as Romalea microptera.There was an outbreak of these large,  flightless native grasshoppers at the studio this year. Usually, there are...

Nature

Nuke it from orbit, it’s the only way to be sure!

My wedelia ground cover nightmare

Nature

Wild Grapes

Well, the wild grapes, or muscadines, as some call them,  aren’t yet ripe - but they are filling out. They should be ripe, and very juicy, sometime in early August.  I’ve...

Nature

Love Songs

Finally, we had a soaking good rain, and the frogs in the swamp have been enjoying the puddles so much that they sang all night and are still singing late this morning.May you...

‘Tis about time …

All Played Out

Mom’s Ham & Beans

Fueling the fine fArt studio

Nature · Photography

Looks like I have new neighbors

looks like a pair of hawks have built a substantial 2-3 foot diameter nest high up in a tree here at the studio while I was otherwise occupied.I haven’t caught a good look at...

Nature

Beauty underfoot

Slow down. Observe. Life is amazing. This mushroom is just a tiny part of a massive organism. It is an interlocking puzzle piece from a much bigger picture, yet marvelously...

Recipes

Chicken and Dumplings

No Fluffy Stuff In These (or parrots either)

Nature

Trumpet Creeper

It is early May, and while our drought here in Florida continues to beat down many plant species and is taking a toll on wildlife, this native vine is thriving and providing...

Nature

Holy Smokes! Unwelcome Guests

The persecution of a pecan tree

Nature

The Morel of the Story

Lessons from a Fungi