If you live in Northern Virginia, you know that last year (2018) was probably one of the wettest we have had in years. As a result, fungi proliferated in the forest. I became fascinated with fungi. During the week, I hike many of the same trails frequently after work, and each day, I’d see a […]
Spring is here and we couldn’t be happier! The forest is coming to life as any snow melts and the temperatures rise. If you know where to go, every year you can see a spectacular bloom of Virginia Bluebells. Or maybe you are out and by luck you find a patch of Virginia Bluebells. […]
Ramps are one of the first green signs of spring that appear in shady areas of the woods. Their official name is Allium tricoccum. They usually grow in patches under trees. One article stated that they grow in higher elevations in Eastern North America, but I am at sea level, and there are plenty of ramps. […]
One thing is certain, no matter where you are in the woods, you’re never really alone. It may seem like there isn’t any animal life around, but if you look closely, you can always find some tracks, scat, or remnants of nuts etc. that were eaten. With beavers, when they are active, it’s pretty obvious. […]
Kissing under mistletoe is a weird tradition. There are several types, European mistletoe (Viscum album) is the type that is most known for kissing. This is the traditional plant of literature and Christmas celebrations. Kissing under the mistletoe is referenced from as far back as 16thcentury England to Christian literature 300 years AD. The Celts wrote […]
The Four Seasons We all know that there are four seasons; spring, summer, fall, and winter. They are specific time frames characterized by weather patterns, light, and temperature. Usually in winter there is the least amount of light and the coldest temperatures. The closer we are to the north or south pole, the colder it […]