Officer Cornjob

An Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) in the Autumn woods of Legends Park for #TurtleTuesday

Another new fungus for day 27 of #Mushroom #October. This was my first time seeing (or at least recognizing) the unusual Honeycomb Crust (Antrodia ramentacea) fungus. This photo shows some of the details of its fascinating structure.

A lot of our blue flowers are ostensibly purple as well, but at least the Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) has blue in the name! #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #BlueTue

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Branched, so here's a little Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) clutching a little branch with its little feet.

This absolutely tiny spider is shown on the leaf of a Yellow Harlequin plant, which isn't a big plant itself. Don't know the species of spider, but if anyone does I'm happy to add it! #Arachtober

Day 26 of #Mushroom #October brings another new find from my weekend walk. This is a specimen of Coral-pink Merulius (Phlebia incarnata). #PinkMon

The large and fragrant blooms of the Perennial Sweet Pea (Lathyrus latifolius). This is an introduced species here so it is often found in disturbed areas, like roadsides. #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #PinkMon

Taking some liberties with today's #BirdOfTheDay theme, #OnOneLeg. Here's a male Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) stretching, with one leg in the water and the other in the air.

Day 25 of #Mushroom #October brings my first Hen Of The Woods (Grifola frondosa) photo. Seen on my Friday walk through Powhatan Park. This mushroom is also known as Maitake and is a popular forage item.

An orange Hibiscus bloom from my mother's flowerbed. #Wildflower #ColorADay #OrangeSun

First of the fungus photos from yesterday's walk through Powhatan Park. This Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) looked like a tribble sitting on a log. I half expected it to start moving. Day 24 of #Mushroom #October

All the Northern species make the #BirdOfTheDay theme #LMNO an easier one. Here's a Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis).

The green bells of a Lenten Rose (Helleborus genus), a type of hellebore. Spotted in the woods, most likely a feral escape from someone's flowerbed, as they are a popular ornamental here that can develop a number of different bloom colors. #Wildflower #ColorADay #GreenSat

A cluster of some kind of parasol mushroom I believe, more research is needed. But I feel it's a nice picture. 😊 Day 23 of #Mushroom #October. Incidentally, had a good forest walk today, so hopefully some exciting new mushrooms to share coming up!

The Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) is one of the most plentiful toads in this area. They have a wide variety in their coloration too, ranging from grey to tan to rusty red. #FrogFriday

One of my less frequently seen dragonflies here, the Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis). They are also known as the Illinois River Cruiser. This particular specimen is female. #FlyDay

This juvenile Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) still has wispy eyebrows and a feed-me beak. Seen in my backyard. #BirdOfTheDay #Juveniles

One of our native trilliums, the Large-flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), seen in Pony Pasture. #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #BWFri

Insufficient sample size, because as a life-long Virginian I can tell you we love North Carolina considerably more than South Carolina. NC has better food, better scenery, better politics, and the Outer Banks. SC has one over-popular beach and South Vegas. NC loves VA and we love her.

For the #BirdOfTheDay theme #Seasonal, it's about time for the Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) to start visiting my area again.

Another unknown for day 22 of #Mushroom #October. I especially like the ropey stalk of this one.

The boldly contrasting Margined Blister Beetle (Epicauta funebris) for #InsectThursday. This one was climbing along my pants leg and can be seen alongside the seeds of the aptly-named Tickseed Trefoil.

Our native Narrowleaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) exploding like buttery fireworks for #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #YellowThu

Thanks to @rodsclicks.bsky.social for the heads-up that it's #NationalReptileDay. Here's our own Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) to compliment his post.

The blooms of a Rattlebox (Sesbania punicea) like a cluster of flames, seen growing in the sands of the Outer Banks. #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #RedWed #OBX

#Mushroom #October day 21 brings a couple hopefully passable photos of the Jellied False Coral (Sebacina schweinitzii). These were formerly classified as Tremellodendron pallidum.

A female Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) in her understated but elegant attire for the #BirdOfTheDay theme #Black&White.

A frankly huge Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) breaking the surface of the lake at Forest Hill Park. #TurtleTuesday

Another of our many orbweavers, the Arrowhead Orbweaver (Verrucosa arenata). Also known as the Triangle Orbweaver. #Arachtober

The blue blooms of the introduced Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) for #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #BlueTue

Day 20 of #Mushroom #October features another unidentified mushroom, this one on a mossy stump in Pocahontas Park.

Seen on my recent trip to New Mexico, the Gray-headed Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is here to represent #BirdOfTheDay #LittleLegs. They are a striking variant to our Slate-colored variety, which hopefully will be migrating in soon now that the cold weather is here.

Over and under of two Arrow-shaped Micrathena (Micrathena sagittata) females. #Arachtober

The pink blossoms of the Dovefoot Geranium (Geranium molle) often emerge in pairs like this. #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #PinkMon

A Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) pauses for reflection for the #BirdOfTheDay theme #Reflections.

For day 19 of #Mushroom #October it's the Elegant Stinkhorn (Mutinus elegans). Not entirely sure where the elegance comes in, I must admit.

Portrait of a Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) for #BirdOfTheDay #Larus

A radiant Zinia from my mother's flowerbed for #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #OrangeSun

A White-banded Crab Spider (Misumenoides formosipes) lies in wait on some Late-flowering Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum). #Arachtober

#Mushroom #October rolls on to day 18 and our Red-cap Russula (Russula silvicola), a toxic mushroom famous for its emetic properties.

Not much of a #BirdOfTheDay photo, but this is the #Dawn of New Year's Day 2020 in the Outer Banks, with the silhouettes of some early rising seabirds. #OBX

Another Furrow Orbweaver (Larinioides cornutus) for #Arachtober. I like how the web shows up in this one.

One of my many unidentified mushroom photos for day 17 of #Mushroom #October.

It's a grey Saturday here, but this member of the spurge family wants you to enjoy a #BloomScrolling #ColorADay #GreenSat. It's Painted Leaf (Euphorbia cyathophora), also known as Fire-on-the-mountain.

Another spider I only have one legible pic of so far, the Spined Micrathena (Micrathena gracilis) #Arachtober

The #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Paridae, so here's our big-eyed Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) feeding in the yard.

Day 16 of #Mushroom #October and it's time for some spongy, slimy Devil's Stinkhorn (Phallus rubicundus).

This groovy Black Thick-headed Fly (Physocephala tibialis) is a wasp mimic and combines #FlyDay with #ColorADay #BWFri.