Donald Taylor sent me this picture of an albino deer near his home in North Garden. By some miracle, the pure white animal made it through the hunting season, and also avoided a deadly encounter with a natural enemy, such as a coyote or bobcat. White deer lack natural camouflage and stand out (except in the snow) and are easily identified by hunters and predators. Albinism is … [Read more...]

By Dr. Peter Brookes   When Jack Frost blows into Virginia in the winter every year, a lot of anglers get off the water, put down the ol’ rod and reel, pick up a trusty rifle or bow, and head to the hunting grounds to chase game. Nothing wrong with that—winter brings hunting season after all. But if you’re looking for a way to beat cabin fever, there are good fishing opportunities in … [Read more...]

Marilynn Norford in Allegheny County, NC was able to capture this shot of a rare “piebald” deer. Here is her account: “I'm excited to share this one, and yes, it was exciting to photograph because it's such a rare sight and some people will never get to see something like this!  So, yay me, (even if I haven't got my photo of a bear), yet.......ha. I had been hoping to get a shot like this … [Read more...]

  Longtime reader and subscriber of CvilleBuzz, Nancy Jackson of Urbana, says she came up with a concoction sure to please. It certainly pleased her husband Mike, so much so that he wanted it again within five days of his first sampling. Nancy is like many cooks – she likes to experiment. Here’s what she came up with on a recent culinary adventure. “I just cooked a ‘made-up’ recipe, … [Read more...]

  They first showed their ugly – and I mean ugly – heads in   Virginia waters back in 2004. The Wildlife Department was most concerned. They feared these imports from Asia would  cut into the bass population. As such, biologists did their best to eradicate snakeheads. But it was like finding a needle in a haystack. The “Snakes” are here to stay. Below is an update from … [Read more...]

By James Friend Dickerson On a recent visit to Manteo, North Carolina, a commercial fisherman friend gave us a bag of clams frozen in the shell. What to cook with clams? We love Hatteras Style Clam Chowder, so I decided to create a batch. After calling several friends to get tips and recipes, I started prepping and cooking. Ingredients: 25 Frozen Clams in the Shell 5 Peeled Small … [Read more...]

By Sherman Shifflett Ferrum Junior College football coach, Hank Norton, often referred to his football players as "Dawgs." For some of the guys on the team, that nickname was well deserved. One time a player was injured during a scrimmage, and coach Norton turned to a manager and directed him to "Drag that 'dawg' off the field." Coach Norton had a pet dog, Chief, and I don't recall a single … [Read more...]

  By Nancy Brewer I’m passionate about many things and two are sunrises and sunsets.  I enjoy them the most on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  As I write this, I feel refreshed and renewed from four great days at the beach with my favorite person.  I rise early to greet the sun.  There are other “early birds” on the beach and some on decks waiting, … [Read more...]

  Jill Smith of Fluvanna County said that she has had a special visitor at her feeder for five days in a row – a Red-headed Woodpecker. That’s like seeing Elvis at the mall five trips in a row. Many confuse Red-headed Woodpeckers with the far more common, Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Red-bellied Woodpeckers indeed have a red head, but only partially. A Red-headed Woodpecker has a fire … [Read more...]

  Last week I wrote about Winter Cardinals and how majestic they were – a vivid cardinal red against the backdrop of white snow. Charles Crenshaw sent me a picture of a white cardinal, another beauty. I have never before seen a white cardinal, or mostly white. Some might think it to be an albino, but the cardinal in the picture is not an albino because albino birds and animals are entirely … [Read more...]