taviduprix.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Roan Mountain is known for its rhododendrons. If you are ever in the area when they are in bloom, it’s an absolute must.

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Another great Tennessee park is Roan Mountain State Park. This is in the valley below the mountain.

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

I finally got a picture of a damselfly that seemed to show up every 2 or 3 weeks. What an interesting looking fella. Probably no new species sightings today as it is 44 degrees out.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

While we are on Tennessee, another one of my favorite parks is Radnor Lake State Park in Brentwood (Nashville). This is where I cut my teeth as a birdwatcher. I was actually using just a point and shoot camera in those days but still saw many different species.

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

One of my favorite parks is Seven Islands State Park in Kodak, TN. On a spring morning, the sound of sparrows and other prairie birds is almost deafening. I take extra pride from helping plant some of the native plants pictured on a volunteer day several years ago. We can make a difference!

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

A little something different this Saturday than my normal nature posts. Here’s a playlist I compiled with Prog and Deep House tracks best suited for late night listening. Enjoy!

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Love? Among many things, Japanese gardens. Needless to say, I was in love with the serenity of this spot at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in December. Just teleport me there anytime, any day.

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

Today’s picture is of a sow thistle. What individual species? I am not particularly sure. However, did you know that this plant genus has several medicinal properties? This was news to me.

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

Another flower seen Saturday was this Golden Wave Tickseed (Coreopsis basalis). What a beautiful plant! If you are in the SE US and have soil that tends to be sandy, this is a great wildflower.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

One of the flowers seen on Saturday was this Whitemouth Dayflower (Commelina erecta). This particular flower has a range of most of the US (excluding the Pacific Northwest).

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

The Saturday field trip to a local university plant nursery was a huge success. It’s always nice to see people enthusiastic to learn about native plants. There may be hope for us after all.

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

I really love macro photography of plants and birds. I need to get a really good camera to get even more sharp, close shots. Look at the ant saying hello. This plant is in Genus Sidneya but it could be a few different species, I will comment later if iNaturalist gives me something definitive.

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

Another sighting at this study garden was this Soldier butterfly. With the Chicago Bears moving to a new stadium in 2028, perhaps they could remake the old football grounds into a pollinator garden and retain the name Soldier Field. How awesome would that be?

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

Here’s a picture of the study garden referenced yesterday. Our local Native Plant Society of Texas chapter has a field trip there this weekend to check out the nursery they have on campus. Really looking forward to that.

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

One of the sightings I had this weekend was this Fiery Skipper. It was at a study native plant garden at a local college. They’re documenting what insects etc. come to which plants to better understand keystone species locally.

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

This weekend resulted in a trip to a native plant nursery (pictured), as well as a number of parks. I brought home 3 new plants as well as some new wildlife sightings (more to come on both). Do you know what your local native plant nurseries are? If not, a good assignment.

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Last thing from Saturday’s bird walk was this lovely Globe amaranth plant. Looking forward to what tomorrow may bring.

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

Another sighting on my bird walk last weekend was this jumping spider (Messua limbata). Thankfully, it didn’t choose to jump on me.

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

Attended a talk last night about reference books for our local flora. A wonderful primer on the history of our native plants. Christmas is only 11 months away. 😊

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Bird walks sometimes result in other discoveries. A Ailanthus webworm moth in this case, among others to follow. Get outside and see what you find!

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

Nothing like a Queen Butterfly coming to your Mexican Flame Vine to turn your day around. Celebrating small achievements. 🙌

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

One of the low points in nature last year was finding this dead bird on the beach, likely having succumbed to ingesting too much plastic. If you have not seen videos of birds induced to vomit it up, it’s pretty harrowing. Always adhere to “leave no trace” principles, especially on the beach.

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

As we start to warm up here in South Texas, one last picture from a former winter trip to Minnesota. There’s not much more peaceful, and beautiful, than snow-capped pines. We were on the lookout for grouse on this morning and eventually we found a Spruce Grouse.

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

On that Sax Zim Bog trip, many interesting birds were found including this digiscoped Black-backed Woodpecker.

submitted 31 days ago • 1 comment

It might be unseasonably cold in South Texas today but it’s nowhere near as cold as Sax-Zim Bog during winter. Nonetheless, wouldn’t give a second thought to going back. If you have not been, you should make plans. Just make sure to pack accordingly.

submitted 33 days ago • 0 comments

With being in planting zone 10a and freezing rain in the forecast for tomorrow, most of my potted plants made their way inside to join their houseplant cousins. Thankfully its just a two day cold snap and they will be enjoying direct sunlight again.

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

Top nature event of 2024? Rio Reforestation. It’s always nice to come together with the community to rebuild our wildlife corridors. A tremendous amount of native trees have been planted over the years with thousands of volunteers contributing. It’s one of, if not the largest such event in the US.

submitted 37 days ago • 0 comments

One of the coolest things I saw in 2024 was this ant mound built in the crack of the parking lot of my apartment. This thing got as tall as a long French fry before it succumbed to the rain a few days later.

submitted 38 days ago • 0 comments

Speaking of movies, if you enjoy nature or are nature-curious, take 15 minutes and check this out: youtu.be/z7xwv3twYDI?....

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

Last week I saw this movie in Mexico. It has no dialogue. And although I’m usually not a fan of a feral cat roaming around it does a splendid job of capturing what nature is like even if the backdrop of the movie is a bit fantastical.

submitted 40 days ago • 0 comments

After a year of dormancy, my Mexican Flame Vine is starting to bloom again. Note that this plant is not native to the LRGV in Texas. It’s even considered invasive in Florida. However, its native range includes the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which is only a few miles away. Interesting, huh?

submitted 41 days ago • 0 comments

Most people know that pollinators play a key role in plant reproduction. But did you know pollinators also assist with nutrient density? Read up on this study for more details. If you garden for food, it is important to devote some space for native plants. You will be glad you did.

submitted 44 days ago • 0 comments

Having a passerine in hand is one thing but a raptor is another type of thing entirely, especially when trying to extract it from a mist net. The bite of a cardinal isn’t fun but a talon can ruin your day. Nonetheless, it’s a great experience. (Handling via Federal permit.)

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

If you are curious what my local native habitat is like. This is one example from an adjacent county. We don’t have Peyote in my county but Thornscrub habitat is quite common in undeveloped areas.

submitted 46 days ago • 1 comment

Have you ever wondered whether a plant is native to your area? One of the better resources is the native plant database at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Give it a try and see what you learn!

submitted 47 days ago • 0 comments

Many native landscapers allow up to 20% of your yard to non-natives, so far as none of them are considered invasive. One of my non-native plants is this Crown Of Thorns plant from Madagascar. To be honest, I didn’t think it was non-native when I first got it. Always good to check thoroughly.

submitted 48 days ago • 0 comments

Last thing associated with NY. After seeing so many pigeons there, this will be my next book I read. I’ve had it for months. Shout out to Rosemary. She is a great comic artist. Give her a follow!

submitted 49 days ago • 0 comments