October 2, 2022:

I was away for the past couple of weeks, and on trips outside the Lakes Region I usually allocate time to exploring interesting natural areas.  But this trip was spent exploring our nation's early history in the historic triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, with only one short nature walk before hurricane Ian chased us home.  There are so many opportunities here to learn about American history in the 16th through 19th centuries, and even some world history of those times related to the European exploration of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.  It shouldn't have surprised me to find that understanding history at that time included understanding the natural world as well - so much of the colonists' survival depended on knowledge and use of natural resources including plants and animals for food, medicine, tools, and shelter.  

Location of the Jamestown Church where John Rolfe and Pocahontas were married on April 5, 1614.

One  interesting fact I learned is that bison were plentiful in Virginia at the time the Jamestown colony was started in 1607 and they were an important part of native American society, being hunted for food, clothing, and shelter.  There were also caribou here, as there were in New Hampshire before overhunting extirpated both species from the eastern United States.

Even without focused nature hikes I still came across interesting plants and animals.  A day at the beach provided an opportunity to observe many osprey circling over the ocean and diving for fish, and as I watched them I wondered if they were locals or perhaps New England osprey on their way to South America.  I also came across herons and rails including this Night Heron in the moat at Fort Monroe in Hampton Virginia.

A Night Heron comfortable with human alterations to the environment.

On the grounds at Williamsburg are some huge trees that looked like live oak but are actually Compton Oaks, a hybrid of two oak species, the Southern Live Oak and the Overcup Oak.  

Compton Oak at Historic Williamsburg.

I thought this tree would have been hundreds of years old but in fact it's not quite even 90 years old, having been planted around 1933.  Things sure grow fast in this climate. 

This tree is younger than my parents.  (Sorry mom and dad : )

Magnolia trees grow large and lush in the Virginia climate as well.

Magnolia trees at the Smith's Fort Plantation in Scotland.

At this time of year they are done blooming but have large colorful seed pods now that the blossoms have gone by.

Pink and white seed pods on the magnolia.

A few of the pods were starting to release their bright red seeds.  

Near the magnolia a red iris was still blooming, and a stunning yellow butterfly was collecting nectar, combining for a dramatic color scene.

Red spider lily.

Cloudless Sulphur butterfly.

The magnolia trees and red spider lilies were at a plantation in Scotland, which is just a short ferry ride across the James River from the original Jamestown settlement.  The Jamestown Colony, which was was reconstructed on the exact same footprint (minus the part that has eroded into the river over the past 400 years) looked awfully small when viewed from the river.  

The entire colony fit within the walls that look like a gray picket fence - except for the corner that has since eroded away and is now under the James River.

Those were some pretty brave pioneers.  The tall, white monument built for the tercentennial in 1907 is made of New Hampshire granite!  It's outside the original colony walls as are the buildings to the left.

Archeologists were able to locate the exact position of the fort's walls by discovering the circles of different color clay where the posts of the fort were placed. Every bit of wood is long gone.  The same method was used to identify the location of the church shown earlier.  Archeology work continues; over a million artifacts have been uncovered and identified to date, and many of them are on display in the museum.

Ongoing archeological studies at Jamestown.

It's harvest season in Virginia and on our one nature hike we found lots of nuts and acorns along the White Oak Trail which follows the Warwick River in Newport News Park.  

Sweetgum

Shagbark hickory

Sweetgum fruit has many small winged seeds that are released through the holes in the spikey ball, while hickory has a hard, sweet nutmeat inside.

We arrived back in New Hampshire yesterday, pushed home a bit early by hurricane Ian, and are pleased to find the maple trees just starting to turn their leaves red and orange.  I'm looking forward this week to finding our loon chick Maddie and seeing how much she's grown.  I'll end the Virginia story with with one more brilliant Virginia plant:

American Beautyberry  (Callicarpa americana)

The color of the berries is unique, unlike any I've seen in New England.