Charles Seabrook

El Paso

Environmental Writer at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Articles

Georgia's landscape turns many shades of green in spring

5 days ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

Almost overnight, it seems, trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and other growing things have donned nature’s most important color — green. The woods, fields, marshes, swamps and meadows all seem to sport every shade of green imaginable now. To appreciate this springtime greenery, I suggest that on a sunny day, when the sun’s rays are streaming through the tree canopies, you take a stroll in your neighborhood or in the woods — or gaze at a forested mountain slope — and try to pick out all the shades.
Georgia Botanical Society group treated to patch of pink lady's slippers

1 week ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

In my pickup truck last weekend, I was part of a small motorcade that parked alongside a main road in Fort Mountain State Park in Murray County to see some blooming native azaleas. Soon after, a park ranger drove up to see why we had stopped there. We said we were members of the Georgia Botanical Society taking part in its annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage — and the outing to Fort Mountain was one of 20 field trips during the three-day event.
Looking for Georgia birds in Cuba

3 weeks ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

This is peak time for spring migration. Countless numbers of warblers and other neotropical songbirds are streaming into Georgia — returning from winter grounds in Latin America and the Caribbean for their nesting season here and elsewhere in North America. Among the incoming waves might well be some of the same birds — especially warblers — that several of us Birds Georgia members saw earlier this month during an 11-day trip to Cuba to explore, study and observe the island’s bird life.
What you need to know about bird nesting season happening now in Georgia

3 weeks ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

Georgia’s bird nesting season is underway. Here’s a short primer:Q: How long do birds in Georgia incubate eggs before they hatch? A: It depends on the species — and their sizes. Typically, large birds incubate eggs longer than do small birds. Bald eagles, which began nesting in December, and vultures, hawks and owls may sit on eggs for 30-50 days, Incubation time for robins, cardinals, bluebirds and other songbirds takes 10-14 days; woodpeckers, 12-18 days; ducks and geese, 21-28 days.
Georgia birders could soon see rose-breasted grosbeaks at feeders as migratory birds travel north

1 month ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

I always get this question — or a variation of it — from at least a few folks about this time of year: “A strikingly beautiful bird is coming to my feeder. It has a big red spot on its white breast, one of the prettiest birds I’ve ever seen. I’d never seen it before now. What is it?”There’s no doubt about the answer: The bird is a male rose-breasted grosbeak. Decked out in his spiffy black and white breeding plumage, he is indeed gorgeous.
Red buckeye blooms are a boon to hummingbirds

1 month ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

The red buckeye’s showy, red flowers are blooming in the wild now beneath forest canopies in Georgia’s Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. The plant, typically a small shrub, also has been widely introduced throughout much of the rest of the state. At the same time the buckeyes bloom, ruby-throated hummingbirds are returning to Georgia from winter homes in Central America. The timing is no coincidence.
There is a lot to like about lichens

2 months ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

Lichens are nearly everywhere — odd growths that appear as crusty patches and splotches on tree trunks, limbs, rocks, bare soil, stone walls, tombstones, wooden fences. Regardless, lichens often get little respect. Admirers, however, call them enchanting because, close-up, lichens can reveal fascinating, miniature worlds of all shapes, colors and textures. Their diversity, in fact, is amazing with more than 900 known lichen species in Georgia. One hardwood tree may harbor more than 30 species.
Millipedes help keep a forest clean and healthy

2 months ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

Like many folks, I never paid much attention to millipedes — those wormlike, multilegged creatures that crawl about in the leaf litter and hide under logs and rocks on the forest floor. But now, I hold millipedes in high esteem, even finding them fascinating. My new respect stems from a “millipede walk” last week in the Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area in Houston County.
Hearing and seeing early signs of spring

2 months ago | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

Spring is on the way. We can see and hear it coming now even though we’re in mid-February — more than a month before the arrival of the vernal equinox. The days are rapidly growing longer — 45 minutes more daylight now since winter’s first day on Dec. 21. By Feb. 20, daylight speeds up by nearly three minutes per day. The increasing daylight tells wild creatures and plants that it’s time for new life and new growth.
Holidays are reminders for wildlife watchers

Jan 29, 2025 | ajc.com | Charles Seabrook

Wild creatures, of course, don’t observe holidays. But for us, holidays are key dates, easy to remember. As such, they can help guide us through the natural year, such as reminding us when to hang feeders or when to expect migratory birds to arrive. Here are some examples. By Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), bluebirds are checking out nesting sites; bluebird boxes should be clean and ready for occupancy. Purple martins are arriving. Spring peepers are calling.