Tag Archives: Flora and Fauna

Buddha Toad

14 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Flora and Fauna, Frogs and Toads, Home and Garden, Inspiration, Nature, Virginia

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Every once in a while, you run into an individual who’s got that “It” thing going on. You know, the bigger-than-life types… the ones who exude confidence, awareness and over-the-top, in-yer-face personality. The ones with an undeniable energy. The ones who stake their claim to the space simply by being there.

And, in my experience, these It-Factor types occur with animals as well as humans.

And every once in a while, I run into an animal who just oozes It-Factor. Like my Buddha Toad here. I mean no disrespect to the followers of Buddhism, however, I do think he seems to have attained some sort of knowledge and enlightenment. Just look at him. When he sits back in my hand and looks out at the world (and scornfully at me), I am convinced that he knows far more than I do…

My research indicates that this little fellow may be an Oak Toad (Anaxyrus quercicus). According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, these little toads are quite rare in the state and require a “very high conservation need” as the species is at high risk for extinction or extirpation.

Photo note: I tried, tried, tried, to achieve a photo with Buddha Toad’s nose in the same focal plane as the rest of his body… however, my trusty iPhone camera was not so trusty on that day; Buddha Toad’s nose remains out of focus in a photo or two. But then, I figured his personality transcends all technical issues… so I’ve published anyway. I promise to find another It-Factor amphibian and try again!

All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Rainbows and Green Orbs

06 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in Flora and Fauna, Inspiration, iPhoneography, Nature, Photography, Summer, Virginia

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Double rainbow in the Virginia countryside after the storm. © 2012 EddinsImages


It has been a week since the Eastern United States was hammered by a fast-moving, deadly storm. Here in central Virginia, after an eerie, silent stillness with no warning of what was to follow, we were blasted by a sideways, screaming wind. Nothing else… just wind. Then, the wicked, other-worldly tempest brought-on wild, non-stop lightning in the clouds above – as if someone was flicking a light switch on and off, on and off. The lights flashed all around us without pause. There was still no sound, except the roar of the wind. Later came lightning that was lower in the sky, accompanied by rumbles of thunder, downpours of rain, and hail. Throughout it all, most devilish was the incessant wind. Many likened the 70-plus mile-per-hour wind to the scary roar of a train.

We took the rampage seriously. After returning home safely during the first-half of the storm, my husband sat inside the house with the front door open, listening, for the sound of an approaching tornado. My son and I retreated to the far side of the house, opposite the ancient maple tree outside, wary that the tree would fall into the house. We learned after-the-fact that this unusual storm is called a derecho – a widespread, fast-moving weather event that features intense, straight-line, damaging winds and sometimes thunder and lightning.

And, sadly, for many in Virginia, that very scenario was a reality. Most tragically, however, is the fact that when it was all over, just an hour or so later, lives were lost, property was severely damaged, and, for a great number of families, power was out. Today, one week later, the clean-up continues. Many families remain without power. We’ve seen working power crews here from as far away as Texas. I am so very sorry for families who lost loved ones.

Even so, Mother Nature has a way of recovering. First, there was the double rainbow outside my barn. Even without electricity at the barn, seeing the rainbow brought me a feeling of hope.

Green chestnuts fall to the ground early during a Virginia storm. © 2012 EddinsImages


Then, throughout the past week, I’ve been finding little fallen orbs of nature… beautiful trinkets dropped by trees and plants. And each is green.

Close-up of a ready-to eat green pepper that survived windy weather. © 2012 EddinsImages


Green, the color of nature. The color of rejuvenation. The color of life.

A handful of black walnuts picked-up from the grass below after stormy weather in Virginia. © 2012 EddinsImages


So, with these verdant little reminders of our future and all that is good in life, we rebuild, replant, and reclaim.

Fallen green apples and their seeds ensure that more, beautiful apple trees will grow for future generations. © 2012 EddinsImages


Live goes on…

Country path leads under the double rainbow. © 2012 EddinsImages


All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Lifeguard Rescues Tree Frog

26 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Flora and Fauna, Frogs and Toads, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Summer, Wildlife

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Gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) rescued from the pool. © 2012 EddinsImages

Two days ago, the lifeguard at our local pool rescued a frog from the pool skimmer. Based solely on looks, I have unscientifically identified the little darling (the frog, not the lifeguard) as one of two Gray Treefrog species native to Virginia. According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, the way to distinguish the Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor, from the very similar-looking Copes Gray Treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis, is by their found location and their different calls. My friend was silent, so, because of our location in the state, I’m going with Hyla versicolor.

Without a doubt, this beautiful little amphibian is one of the most endearing, gentle creatures I have ever had the pleasure to see and hold. I was completely bewitched by the little froggy’s charm and expression. And, my found friend had the most sublime, silvery and green glimmery, shimmery skin… almost ethereal. And under froggy’ arms and legs was a rich, golden-butternut color.

I do worry about my froggy friend because pool chemicals are dangerous – often deadly, in fact, to many animals. I learned many years ago while working on an environmental education program that amphibians are especially sensitive to environmental changes and toxins. Scientists know that changes in amphibian populations are often the first indicators that something is wrong in an environment. In fact, as our world becomes more polluted and humans continue to alter our natural environments, amphibians become more and more likely to disappear… forever.

After a dip in the pool, this little Gray Treefrog finally found safe haven nestled high in a tree. © 2012 EddinsImages

Hopefully, our lifeguard made this save in time. And, the last I saw, my charming little froggy friend was nestled high in the leaves of a dogwood tree. But seeing his little face here does remind me to take care when it comes to wildlife and nature… it is all to easy to take what we have for granted. Someday soon, saving frogs may not be as simple as scooping them out of the pool.

Author’s Note: My research indicates “gray tree frog” and “gray treefrog” are each used [correctly] to indicate the same animal species. I’ve used the contraction in my text.

All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Fiery Garden Flowers

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Flora and Fauna, Flowers, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Summer

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It’s been raining here for two days, providing lots of water for my just-planted garden perennials. I am a little bummed because just before the rain, some of my roses were about to burst open. Now, the partially opened buds, especially those of gorgeous and dramatic “Pink Traviata” rose, are heavy and rain-sodden. I’ll have to wait for the next round of buds to see gorgeous flowers in full-bloom.

Rose Pink Traviata (color pushed to red). © 2012 Eddins Images

And, this is the second wave of nearly-open buds to get drenched this season. Sad as this is for my flower-greedy eyes, my new plants and their roots will have a marvelously moist season, with lots of sun in-between, so that they may become well-established.

With that in mind, I can wait a little longer for my pretty flowers to show themselves in full boom.

Meanwhile, I snapped some photos the other day when the sun was bright and temperatures were really, really, high.

Bright as the sun, fiery Gallardia. © 2012 EddinsImages

With temperatures close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it was sweltering HOT in the garden… and the flowers didn’t seem to mind a bit.

Sunny, orange daylily. © 2012 EddinsImages

Focusing on the bright colors of my garden offerings, these vivid red, pink, orange and yellow flowers reflected the sun’s sweltering early-June heat.

Screaming pink and yellow “Pink Traviata” rose. © 2012 EddinsImages

Still early in the season, and with summer not yet officially here, I can only imagine what July’s searing summer temperatures will bring!

Even in shade, this lily puts-out striking green, yellow and russet heat. © 2012 EddinsImages

So, while I wait for the rain to subside, I’ll quench my desire for more sunny days with these photos of hot flowers waiting for me in the garden.

Beautiful cala lily “Captain Melrose” loves part-sun. © 2012 EddinsImages

Even in shade, their bold and intense colors, like those in cala lily “Captain Melorse” are striking and exciting to the eye.

Who doesn’t love popular golden-yellow hemerocalis or daylily “Stella de Oro?” © 2012 EddinsImages

When the rain finally subsides, one again my brilliant garden beauties will be bursting with dramatic, fiery colors. Best of all, they will be even bigger, bolder and better than before.

All photos taken in natural light with an iPhone 4. Photos © 2012 EddinsImages

School’s Out… Time to Remember, Rejoice, Relax!

07 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in Family, Flora and Fauna, iPhoneography, Lifestyle, Nature, Spring, Summer

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Woodsy feet relax at the little babbling brook. © 2012 EddinsImages

Yesterday was the last day of middle school for my son. It is hard for me to imagine that in the fall my only child will begin high school. A competitive swimmer and honors student who has earned all “A”s this year, he placed first and second at the regional- and state-level National History Day competitions. This weekend, we’ll be in Washington, DC, at the national competition… I’m so very proud of his accomplishments!

Today, I’m taking the morning to welcome summer.  Although it is cool for June, it is sunny outside, the birds are singing, and I am going to enjoy a thoughtful, long walk past misty fields, grazing cattle, pastel mountains, roadside flowers, and meandering brooks with polished rocks and shy little frogs.  I’ll be thinking about how our lives have changed, and I’ll be remembering how far my son and I have come since his dad passed away when he was just a little boy. That’s when we left New England behind to start our new life in Virginia.

And, I’m going to celebrate and rejoice how proud I am of my son and how much I adore my husband today.

Then, I’m going to listen to the cheerful songs of my favorite mocking birds and the gurgles and ripples of the little babbling brook at the bottom of the hill.

I will sit and relax while I welcome the lazy days of summer in Virginia.

Photo taken with an iPhone 4.© 2012 EddinsImages

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar: Persnickity Portrait Subject

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Butterflies, Flora and Fauna, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Spring, Wildlife

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Lookee who I found in my carrot patch yesterday… a beautiful eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes).

Eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) found in my central Virginia carrot patch. © 2012 EddinsImages

At first, my attractive little visitor was mad at me and flashed a bright orange osmeterium. Looking like soft orange antlers, the forked osmeterium organ emits a liquid compound containing chemicals called terpines. Unfortunately, I missed the photo of the brightly colored, antler-like osmeterium when it was visible… it looked sensational against the bright green foliage and orange carrot roots.

Thinning the carrots led to the discovery of a black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes). © 2012 EddinsImages

Regardless of my missed opportunity, as the sun played hide and seek above, I took a few more photos in the changing light before releasing my visitor. Yet, without a maco lens and precise focusing abilities, my iPhone camera and I found this creature to be the most persnickity of portrait subjects. The little animal’s front end was in constant motion and I could not get a well-focused shot – let alone get any sort of smile – or even a wink!

Wiggly, eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes). © 2012 EddinsImages

Mother Sun bleached out the appearance of these vibrant colors in my photos. However, I can see the bright and contrasting colors applied to interior decorating projects… Easily, I can envision this palette in a kid’s room or kitchen. Pop in some hot pink or purple for a bit of whimsy. Against an expanse of white, I see a very chic and modern living space.

It won’t be long before this eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) flutters away, transformed into an eastern black swallowtail butterfly. © 2012 EddinsImages

After finding an expired mama eastern black swallowtail butterfly during one of my walks recently, it is heartwarming to see her life was not in vain. The life cycle continues! Without the short black spikes that appear around the black stripes of younger caterpillars, the creature in my carrot patch looks about ready to pupate. After just two weeks in its chrysalis stage, I look forward to seeing this little beauty spread its wings as a majestic swallowtail butterfly.

All photos taken in natural light with an iPhone 4. Copyright © 2012 EddinsImages

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