Striped Wintergreen in bloom!

Hiding right near the base of a beech tree, this little beauty was nestled between some roots, fallen leaves, and spider webs. I almost overlooked it.

Bird Nests

Lots of new life this spring and summer.. here's a few I got to see up close.

Red-winged blackbird on the edge of the creek in the marsh grasses.

Carolina Wren nest in a little hole on the top of a storage tank in the backyard. The nest is made with oak tree flowers, fine twigs, and leaves.

Northern Cardinal nest in a very young tree.

Wood duck nest on wood chips covered in down feathers in a wood duck box (substitute for a natural tree cavity) near a wetland.

Barn Swallow nest made of mud under the dock.

Eastern Pheobe nest on a ledge made of mud and moss.