At one time, I intended to only include native plants on this blog.  I took a picture last year of this bull thistle wildflower. According to Wildflowers of the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains, it is a European introduction that has turned into a serious weed problem.  However, butterflies like this one, don’t seem to mind.

Sometimes, I enjoy watching squirrels.  They are amazing little acrobats with incredible balance.  Last year, however, I was having a real problem with squirrels gnawing on the house and damaging my car.  Pesky rodents can be a serious problem, one not to be ignored.  Squirrels have even started fires by chewing on electrical wires.

I bought a tube trap that has been very effective.  After two squirrels were killed, I have had no further problems with squirrel damage.  Knock on wood.

Wild bison have not been found in Virginia since 1797.  However, there are bison farms in Virginia today.  I took this picture at Cibola Farms near Culpeper.  Bison is a lean meat, perhaps even healthier than chicken in terms of fat and cholesterol.

Since West Virginia was part of the Old Dominion until 1863, I have decided to include pictures taken in that state on this site.

Yesterday, we went cross country skiing for the first time at Whitegrass Resort in Davis, WV.  At Roundtop, there were several red spruce trees growing.

I took this picture on a hike last fall up to Compton Peak in Shenandoah National Park.  Is it chicken of the woods?

Note:  Make sure you know what you’re doing before eating any mushroom.  I am NOT a mycologist.

See Also:  Tulip Tree Damage (Image 1)