Pueraria lobata

beneath the kudzu there is a stream

Corvus brachyrhynchos, Ginkgo biloba

The state bird of Virginia is (yawn) the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). The state tree is the (yawn yawn) Dogwood, cornus florida, more a bush than a tree.
Let the state bird be the American Crow and the state tree something whup ass, a Ginkgo, a survivor. Anything other than the dogwood please (d-wood is the state tree of Missouri and New Jersey)

persistence

Good street design encourages the safe coexistence of pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. A pedestrian hit at 40 mph has an 85% chance of being killed, while at 20 mph, the fatality rate is only 5%.

Corvus brachyrhynchos

the American Crow --eagles are fine, but I'd like a new national bird

devil's club

lots of thorns

Pueraria lobata

The race continues in the southwest quadrant of Charlottesville. Who will prevail? Ryan Homes? Kudzu? UVAHSC? Multilevel parking lots? Neighborhoods?

amanita?

"mushroom hunting is not a hobby for the careless or uninformed"
signed up for youtube, see some color and motion, 36 second movie called Slop

Popillia japonica

Popillia japonica

Japanese beetles travel and feed in groups. A swarm of beetles have been known to strip a peach tree in 15 minutes, leaving behind only bare branches and the fruit pits (Encyclopedia Britannica Online).
Tooth and claw. I plant the trees, the J. beetles eat the leaves. Ah!
This new b&w predator does something to the beetle, don't think its a friendly hug. Whatever, predator is keeping the beetle-mouth off the leaves. Would be interested if anyone can supply caption info .

visible atmosphere 3

Makah Nation, most northwest point of the lower 48.

visible atmosphere 2

On the other end of the continental U.S., Shi Shi Beach, the Makah Nation, Neah Bay, Washington.