Take a quiet walk through the fall woods to discover many of nature’s wonders.
Woolly Bear Caterpillar
According to folklore, wooly bear caterpillars predict the coming winter forecast. The more rusty brown a caterpillar has, the milder the winter. If there is more black, then the winter will be more severe. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Praying Mantis Egg Case
If you find these egg cases on your plants, leave them as beneficial praying mantids will hatch from this protective case next spring. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Varnish Shelf Mushroom
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
A native plant to the eastern US, American Witch Hazel will bloom from Oct-Dec. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Honeybee gathering pollen from a sasanqua
On warm fall days, honeybees are still busy gathering pollen. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Shelf Mushrooms, Mosses, and Lichens
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Carolina blue sky with bare trees
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Shelf Mushroom
Many different types of shelf mushrooms grow on rotting wood. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid (Goodyera pubescens)
This orchid is native to the eastern US. It is found in dry to moist sites in deciduous and coniferous forests. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Orange Jelly Fungus (Dacrymyces sp.)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Purple Coneflower Seed Heads (Echinacea purpurea)
Leave the seed heads on purple coneflowers during the fall and winter months. Goldfinches love to eat the seeds. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Coral Fungus (Ramaria sp. )
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Lichens
A beautiful collection of lichens. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Leaf-footed bug egg cases
Leaf-footed bugs lay copper colored eggs on the backs of leaves. Look closely, as you will see a hole where the nymph has already emerged. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginkgo trees rapidly shed and cover the ground with golden leaves. Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Fallen Maple Leaves (Acer rubrum)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Beautiful Mosses
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Mushrooms
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension
