This large sparrow, the Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), looks more like an American Robin than, say, a House Sparrow, but a member of the sparrow family it is. There are […]
Jimmy Maurin recently received a once-in-a-lifetime Birthday present from his three son-in-laws. It was a fantastic golf tour of Ireland, arranged through Laurel contributor Tom Chillemi, PGA, owner of Tom’s […]
The Black-Eyed Susan’s real name is Rudbeckia hirta. The genus was named for Olaus Rudbeck, a professor of Botany from the University of Uppsala, in Sweden. The botanical name of […]
A lot of times people will ask me where they can fly fish “in Highlands or Cashiers.” The truth is that most of the best fishing in Western North Carolina […]
“Hello?” called the voice of worry from the other side of a cluster of evergreen and blueberry bushes. My boyfriend and I were sitting and snacking in a patch of […]
Talk around town is that black bear activity has been high this year with lots of sightings happening, many in or near very populated areas. A few lucky folks have […]
The beauty of the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) amazes with every close-in sighting. The female is elegantly attired in an ermine breast vest with prominent white eyebrows and a […]
Ahhhh, the joys of a summer garden. You’ve put in some good gardening hours, and now it’s time to enjoy some of these longer days and admire your work. It’s […]
Every July, anglers in Western North Carolina bemoan the conditions. Heat makes the trout lay low and expend very little energy. Most will hang up the fly gear for the […]
Let me tell you about this walk I took recently: It was early evening. The trail was wet and muddy where the gravel hadn’t washed away, with narrow but deep […]
