gray, spelled g r a y
@grayherndon.bsky.social
My intended photo was of a little eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) that I need to transplant soon, & of its lovely purple winter coloring, but I found I couldn’t capture the color. & then I went to look at another redcedar we planted a few years ago, & saw this.
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#2026photos
(1/3?)
#2026photos
January 3, 2026 at 9:57 PM
My intended photo was of a little eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) that I need to transplant soon, & of its lovely purple winter coloring, but I found I couldn’t capture the color. & then I went to look at another redcedar we planted a few years ago, & saw this.
(1/3?)
#2026photos
(1/3?)
#2026photos
🌿Practice Lazy Gardening
🍂Leave the Leaves: Many native bees and butterfly larvae overwinter in leaf litter
🐝Save the Stems: many solitary bees nest inside hollow stems
Bare Dirt is Good: About 70% of California’s native bees nest underground
#GrowNativePlants #PollinatorGarden #TheNativeGuild
🍂Leave the Leaves: Many native bees and butterfly larvae overwinter in leaf litter
🐝Save the Stems: many solitary bees nest inside hollow stems
Bare Dirt is Good: About 70% of California’s native bees nest underground
#GrowNativePlants #PollinatorGarden #TheNativeGuild
January 3, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Marcescence. That’s the word for when deciduous trees hold onto their dry leaves through the winter. This might protect the buds, or provide more nutrients - we don’t really know. Today’s photo from our garden is the dried leaves of a shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria), hanging on.
(1/2)
#2026photos
(1/2)
#2026photos
January 3, 2026 at 4:11 AM
Marcescence. That’s the word for when deciduous trees hold onto their dry leaves through the winter. This might protect the buds, or provide more nutrients - we don’t really know. Today’s photo from our garden is the dried leaves of a shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria), hanging on.
(1/2)
#2026photos
(1/2)
#2026photos
Noting before I say it that today was a lovely day, but I am so cranky at present. 😠 I ordered what looked like a perfect planner for this year & waited through an extended shipping delay, only to be told today they are out of stock and canceling all remaining orders.
(1/2)
#planners #stationery
(1/2)
#planners #stationery
January 2, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Noting before I say it that today was a lovely day, but I am so cranky at present. 😠 I ordered what looked like a perfect planner for this year & waited through an extended shipping delay, only to be told today they are out of stock and canceling all remaining orders.
(1/2)
#planners #stationery
(1/2)
#planners #stationery
Don’t know how long this will last but I want to try and take/share a picture from our garden every day this year.
This first picture shows a little sassafras (Sassafras albidum) seedling that decided to start opening its buds a little last week due to the warm weather we were having.
(1/2)
This first picture shows a little sassafras (Sassafras albidum) seedling that decided to start opening its buds a little last week due to the warm weather we were having.
(1/2)
January 2, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Don’t know how long this will last but I want to try and take/share a picture from our garden every day this year.
This first picture shows a little sassafras (Sassafras albidum) seedling that decided to start opening its buds a little last week due to the warm weather we were having.
(1/2)
This first picture shows a little sassafras (Sassafras albidum) seedling that decided to start opening its buds a little last week due to the warm weather we were having.
(1/2)
Me, when the local garden center didn’t have seed starter tray inserts (just the insert): ☹️
Them: You know who will have it is anywhere that does hydroponics, like for growing marijuana.
Me: Ohhhhh you’re right, Fifth Season will have it.
#Charlottesville #nativeplants #wintersowing
Them: You know who will have it is anywhere that does hydroponics, like for growing marijuana.
Me: Ohhhhh you’re right, Fifth Season will have it.
#Charlottesville #nativeplants #wintersowing
January 1, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Me, when the local garden center didn’t have seed starter tray inserts (just the insert): ☹️
Them: You know who will have it is anywhere that does hydroponics, like for growing marijuana.
Me: Ohhhhh you’re right, Fifth Season will have it.
#Charlottesville #nativeplants #wintersowing
Them: You know who will have it is anywhere that does hydroponics, like for growing marijuana.
Me: Ohhhhh you’re right, Fifth Season will have it.
#Charlottesville #nativeplants #wintersowing
January 1, 2026 at 5:49 PM
A great list of New Year’s resolutions from the Xerces Society that are achievable and bring benefits you can see. A lot of these are on my list for 2026 already - what about yours?
#gardeningforwildlife
#gardeningforwildlife
Happy new year! Looking for inspiration for 2026? We’ve made a list of realistic & measurable ideas that will benefit invertebrates, & other wildlife, plus resources to get you started!
Choose the ones that speak to you, and we look forward to cheering you on! 🌱
Choose the ones that speak to you, and we look forward to cheering you on! 🌱
New Year’s Resolutions For Nature and Wildlife
Start your year out right with a resolution that will make you feel inspired, empowered, and joyful! We’ve compiled a list of realistic and measurable new year’s resolution ideas that will benefit…
xerces.org
January 1, 2026 at 5:26 PM
A great list of New Year’s resolutions from the Xerces Society that are achievable and bring benefits you can see. A lot of these are on my list for 2026 already - what about yours?
#gardeningforwildlife
#gardeningforwildlife
Seed order from @hungryhookfarm.bsky.social just arrived! Thank y’all & Happy New Year!
(Apologies for the low light picture, there was a cat on my lap so I couldn’t get up to take it elsewhere. I don’t make the rules. 🤷♀️)
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #wintersowing
(Apologies for the low light picture, there was a cat on my lap so I couldn’t get up to take it elsewhere. I don’t make the rules. 🤷♀️)
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #wintersowing
December 31, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Seed order from @hungryhookfarm.bsky.social just arrived! Thank y’all & Happy New Year!
(Apologies for the low light picture, there was a cat on my lap so I couldn’t get up to take it elsewhere. I don’t make the rules. 🤷♀️)
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #wintersowing
(Apologies for the low light picture, there was a cat on my lap so I couldn’t get up to take it elsewhere. I don’t make the rules. 🤷♀️)
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #wintersowing
New blank book & new friend from a trip to the #Smithsonian Museum of Natural History yesterday. 🩷
(We went for the fantastic “Lights Out” exhibit. More on that later!)
#axolotls #stationery #darksky
(We went for the fantastic “Lights Out” exhibit. More on that later!)
#axolotls #stationery #darksky
December 31, 2025 at 2:37 AM
New blank book & new friend from a trip to the #Smithsonian Museum of Natural History yesterday. 🩷
(We went for the fantastic “Lights Out” exhibit. More on that later!)
#axolotls #stationery #darksky
(We went for the fantastic “Lights Out” exhibit. More on that later!)
#axolotls #stationery #darksky
I never got around to doing the labels with QR codes (yet), only partly because I couldn’t decide what they should link to. Yesterday I asked my partner how expensive & how difficult hosting a site to link to would be, so I could decide exactly what information to include.
(1/2)
(1/2)
Have any of you put QR codes on plant labels? If so (or if you were to do so), where did/would they point? I have handwritten labels but am thinking of getting some printed for my birthday, & QR codes are an option. People do frequently stop to look at my sign/labels, so… (more)
#nativeplants
#nativeplants
December 30, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I never got around to doing the labels with QR codes (yet), only partly because I couldn’t decide what they should link to. Yesterday I asked my partner how expensive & how difficult hosting a site to link to would be, so I could decide exactly what information to include.
(1/2)
(1/2)
As promised, this year’s order from the Va. Dept. of Forestry Seedling Store follows. Everything will be coming in quantities of 5 - you have to order that way, but most species are $3 each!
Names again follow the Flora of Virginia.
(1/3ish)
#backyardforest #Virginia #forestry #trees
Names again follow the Flora of Virginia.
(1/3ish)
#backyardforest #Virginia #forestry #trees
Virginia Department of Forestry – DOF Seedlings Store
buyvatrees.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:20 PM
As promised, this year’s order from the Va. Dept. of Forestry Seedling Store follows. Everything will be coming in quantities of 5 - you have to order that way, but most species are $3 each!
Names again follow the Flora of Virginia.
(1/3ish)
#backyardforest #Virginia #forestry #trees
Names again follow the Flora of Virginia.
(1/3ish)
#backyardforest #Virginia #forestry #trees
This dogwood died back slowly & remained a dead stick all summer. Taller things grew up around it while I focused elsewhere. In October I ventured near it looking for my one monarch caterpillar’s chrysalis & found the dogwood happily leafed out. 🤷♀️
#backyardforest
#backyardforest
While pulling Japanese honeysuckle the other day I accidentally yanked this dogwood (Benthamidia florida, formerly Cornus florida) up by the roots. Stuck it in old potting soil as a short term fix & got it in the ground today.
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #backyardforest #planting
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #backyardforest #planting
December 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
This dogwood died back slowly & remained a dead stick all summer. Taller things grew up around it while I focused elsewhere. In October I ventured near it looking for my one monarch caterpillar’s chrysalis & found the dogwood happily leafed out. 🤷♀️
#backyardforest
#backyardforest
Going back through old posts… that plum didn’t die! It came back strong, granted in multi-stemmed shrub form but that’s fine. It was still a hard year, and plenty of things did die… but not that one, & that’s important to note.
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #backyardforest
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #backyardforest
Got the first of the wild plums (Prunus americana) in the ground this evening - but honestly, I think it might be dead. It’s been a bit of a hard year so far, and not much has gone according to plan. We’ve had a lot to juggle. But I hate it if that fact means things die.
#backyardforest
#backyardforest
December 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Going back through old posts… that plum didn’t die! It came back strong, granted in multi-stemmed shrub form but that’s fine. It was still a hard year, and plenty of things did die… but not that one, & that’s important to note.
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #backyardforest
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants #backyardforest
Oh, bother. Yesterday I noticed some extra leaves that had gathered by the curb & said I should rake them up. This morning the city came through (sooner than expected) & sucked them up. They were thin enough I doubt anything was sheltering in them but I still feel bad I missed them!
#LeaveTheLeaves
#LeaveTheLeaves
December 29, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Oh, bother. Yesterday I noticed some extra leaves that had gathered by the curb & said I should rake them up. This morning the city came through (sooner than expected) & sucked them up. They were thin enough I doubt anything was sheltering in them but I still feel bad I missed them!
#LeaveTheLeaves
#LeaveTheLeaves
For my own reference and because @wearegonnafindout.bsky.social asked, a list of the seeds I ordered for this winter (and some for later in spring/summer) follows.
(1/too many)
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants
(1/too many)
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants
December 29, 2025 at 4:09 AM
For my own reference and because @wearegonnafindout.bsky.social asked, a list of the seeds I ordered for this winter (and some for later in spring/summer) follows.
(1/too many)
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants
(1/too many)
#nativeplants #virginianativeplants
Got to visit the family place on the Potomac yesterday that I rarely see anymore. No sharks’ teeth this trip, but found a few fossils & a rock that looked like a ‘possum. Then forgot to bring our finds home so no pictures of those yet.
Sky & river both got murkier over the course of the day.
Sky & river both got murkier over the course of the day.
December 28, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Got to visit the family place on the Potomac yesterday that I rarely see anymore. No sharks’ teeth this trip, but found a few fossils & a rock that looked like a ‘possum. Then forgot to bring our finds home so no pictures of those yet.
Sky & river both got murkier over the course of the day.
Sky & river both got murkier over the course of the day.
December 27, 2025 at 2:57 AM
“Four years ago, in my first year-end memory, I described the work we do as close to miracles. I feel differently now. Miracles sound easy, magical even . . .”
(1/3ish)
#Virginia #wildlife #wildlifecenterofvirginia #wildliferehab
(1/3ish)
#Virginia #wildlife #wildlifecenterofvirginia #wildliferehab
The Lives We Get to Save Together
Veterinary Technician Intern Lilly Farmer recounts her transition into hands-on wildlife medicine, and the deeply personal rescue of an Eastern Ratsnake alongside her mother.
wildlifecenter.org
December 23, 2025 at 12:35 AM
“Four years ago, in my first year-end memory, I described the work we do as close to miracles. I feel differently now. Miracles sound easy, magical even . . .”
(1/3ish)
#Virginia #wildlife #wildlifecenterofvirginia #wildliferehab
(1/3ish)
#Virginia #wildlife #wildlifecenterofvirginia #wildliferehab
Many thanks to @va-nated.bsky.social for making me aware of this #Smithsonian exhibit! Planning a trip to see it soon.
Reducing light pollution is important to me because of its impact on #fireflies & our proximity in #Waynesboro to bird #migration routes, but we humans need a #darksky too.
Reducing light pollution is important to me because of its impact on #fireflies & our proximity in #Waynesboro to bird #migration routes, but we humans need a #darksky too.
Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky
naturalhistory.si.edu
December 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Many thanks to @va-nated.bsky.social for making me aware of this #Smithsonian exhibit! Planning a trip to see it soon.
Reducing light pollution is important to me because of its impact on #fireflies & our proximity in #Waynesboro to bird #migration routes, but we humans need a #darksky too.
Reducing light pollution is important to me because of its impact on #fireflies & our proximity in #Waynesboro to bird #migration routes, but we humans need a #darksky too.
It’s a bit of a drive for us but I hope to get there next year! (Maybe on a #nativeplants trip to @sevenbendsnursery.bsky.social and @watermarkwoods.bsky.social…)
#virginia
#virginia
Hope you our enjoy our festive video, The 12 Months of of Blandy, and recall the year round fun and educational opportunities at your State Arboretum! youtu.be/-sUa7OTqD48?... via @YouTube
12 months of 2025 at Blandy
YouTube video by Blandy Experimental Farm
youtu.be
December 22, 2025 at 7:57 PM
It’s a bit of a drive for us but I hope to get there next year! (Maybe on a #nativeplants trip to @sevenbendsnursery.bsky.social and @watermarkwoods.bsky.social…)
#virginia
#virginia
Happy Solstice, everyone. #WinterSolstice #Yule
Shenandoah National Park
Today marks the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Amid the hustle and bustle of December, one can forget to pause and enjoy peaceful moments.....
www.facebook.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Happy Solstice, everyone. #WinterSolstice #Yule
Heard officially yesterday that I’ll be in the cohort of trainees for my local chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program, beginning our training in February!
#Virginia #MasterNaturalists #conservation #volunteerism #nativeplants #wildlife
#Virginia #MasterNaturalists #conservation #volunteerism #nativeplants #wildlife
December 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Heard officially yesterday that I’ll be in the cohort of trainees for my local chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program, beginning our training in February!
#Virginia #MasterNaturalists #conservation #volunteerism #nativeplants #wildlife
#Virginia #MasterNaturalists #conservation #volunteerism #nativeplants #wildlife
@darkskyintl.bsky.social offers #DarkSky friendly holiday lighting tips to help you decorate without causing trouble for #wildlife.
As always, lighting should be warm-toned, no brighter than needed, downward-focused (or shielded, like by eaves), and limited in duration. Also, useful! (1/2)
As always, lighting should be warm-toned, no brighter than needed, downward-focused (or shielded, like by eaves), and limited in duration. Also, useful! (1/2)
DarkSky holiday lighting tips
Lights can bring cheer to the festive holiday season, creating a sense of warmth and wonder connected to deep traditions and joyful family memories.
darksky.org
December 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
@darkskyintl.bsky.social offers #DarkSky friendly holiday lighting tips to help you decorate without causing trouble for #wildlife.
As always, lighting should be warm-toned, no brighter than needed, downward-focused (or shielded, like by eaves), and limited in duration. Also, useful! (1/2)
As always, lighting should be warm-toned, no brighter than needed, downward-focused (or shielded, like by eaves), and limited in duration. Also, useful! (1/2)