The Laurel, is offering something a bit new for 2015 – a readers’ poll. Each month we’re going to offer up suggestions of areas around the plateau and ask which […]
Ginseng is derived from the Chinese word “Renshen” (Ren: person, and shen: root). Characteristically, the ginseng root splits into two leg-like extensions. On occasion, it grows into a complete figure. […]
Carpenter bees are large, black and yellow bees frequently seen in spring hovering around the eaves of a house or the underside of a deck or porch rail. They are […]
Every winter since 1900 the National Audubon Society has sponsored a winter bird count called the Christmas Bird Count or CBC. Today, CBCs take place across the U.S., Canada, Latin […]
Each summer the Highlands Biological Station offers five-day workshops that provide opportunities for in-depth study of special topics relevant to the southern Appalachian Mountain environment. Designed as experiential learning opportunities, […]
Full grown larvae are approximately 1.6 inches in length (Minno et al. 2005) The head is brown and fringed with short spines and has a cleft on top. The body […]
Audubon North Carolina has launched a campaign to install thousands of nest boxes across the state in order to encourage the brown-headed nuthatch to nest. The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society […]
Holly and Ivy have been used in Christmas decorations in churches since the 1400’s. Holly was called “Christ’s thorns” because of the sharp edges, and the red berries represented the […]
He’s not Rudolph, though he is a distant cousin. He’s made several guest appearances on our ridge. North Carolina Wildlife Biologist Justin McVey has identified our almost half-ton visitor as […]
