Author: Betty Hall

Wahoo adds hot pink fall color

I’m thoroughly enjoying the hot pink pods of our Eastern wahoo tree (Euonymus atropurpureus). I especially appreciate it this time of year when most of our fall color is gone. When we find it in the woods, we don’t usually see such abundant seed pods. I’m guessing more sun makes the difference. Wahoo tree seed pods This is a small tree or large shrub that’s easy to grow. Ours is now about 15 feet tall, and makes a much bigger splash than it did in 2010. In addition to the autumn color, pollinators visit the small flowers in spring, and birds feed on the red berries that drop from the pink pods.

I’m glad to have this tree in our backyard. I wish it was better known, and planted more often.

Change of focus

I recently posted this notice on my note card rack at Good Foods.

Good Food NoticeI’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing my photographs as note cards over the last 12 years, and the response has been rewarding. However, as I approach my 80th year, I’m choosing to focus on other things. I will no longer be selling note cards at Good Foods or through my website. I do plan to continue posting my photos on this blog.

I sincerely appreciate everyone who bought cards and shared them. It’s good to know others enjoy the wonders of nature too.

A caterpillar with red shoes?

Yes, a white fluffy caterpillar with bright-red shoes! This Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta) was just one of several caterpillars we discovered and identified at the recent Caterpillar Weekend at Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

The red ‘shoes’ are actually prolegs. Furthermore, I understand this is one of the stinging caterpillars, although I didn’t touch it to find out.

Spotted Apatelodes caterpillarcaterpillarIt was a treat to find and identify ‘cats’ with other enthusiasts. I continue to be impressed by the wide variety of caterpillars naturalists have documented in the park. My thanks to Brian and Drew for making it a fun learning experience.