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November 14, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

5 News Notes

Actinic Traces: Photographic Works by Laurie Beck Peterson on View Through October 31 at Adkins Arboretum 

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Evergreen Cyano-phtogram, Diptych 2024

Adkins Arboretum is pleased to present Actinic Traces, an exhibition of chlorophyll prints and phytograms by artist Laurie Beck Peterson, on view in the Arboretum’s Visitor’s Center Art Gallery from September 2 through October 31. A public reception will be held on Saturday, September 13, from 2 to 4 pm. 

Laurie Beck Peterson works in close collaboration with plants, sunlight, and time to create images that seem to levitate off their surfaces. Using the natural chemistry of leaves and the UV rays of the sun, her chlorophyll prints and phytograms capture fragile impressions of the plant 

world. Chlorophyll printing is a sustainable photographic process that replaces traditional darkroom chemicals with living leaves and sunlight. Phytograms are made by pressing plants onto light-sensitive paper or film, where their oils and moisture leave behind delicate, abstract patterns. 

The making of these works is often invisible to the eye. Exposures take place over long periods, shaped by weather and light. Development depends on the plant’s own cellular structure, and in the case of chlorophyll prints, the images continue to shift even after they are first revealed. Each work becomes a record of time and change, holding onto the subtle traces of natural processes. 

“I create images that resist permanence and precision, favoring instead ephemerality, decay, and organic authorship,” Peterson explains. “These works are not static artifacts; they are temporal surfaces, slowly fading, reminding us of our shared fragility and deep entwinement with the ecologies we often overlook.” 

For this exhibition, Peterson also explores new ways of presenting her work. Some phytograms are mounted inside clear acrylic boxes, while the chlorophyll leaf prints are displayed atop pedestals that evoke both scientific specimens and fragile jewelry. Other prints are illuminated from behind, their glowing exteriors recalling the experience of looking through a microscope into the hidden cross-sections of plants. These varied presentations highlight the dual identity of the images as both specimen and artwork, encouraging viewers to reflect on the interconnections between humans and the natural world. 

Actinic Traces highlights Peterson’s ongoing interest in impermanence, ecological awareness, and the role of natural systems in shaping images. Her work asks viewers to slow down, notice subtle changes, and see photography not as control over materials but as a partnership with the forces that sustain life. 

Laurie Beck Peterson (b. 1962) is recognized for her innovative use of 19th-century photographic processes in contemporary contexts. Her work explores themes of impermanence, ephemerality, and the natural cycles of growth and decay. Currently a faculty member at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, she has exhibited nationally and internationally, with recent highlights including her selection for the Royal Photographic Society’s International Photography Exhibition 164 at the Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock Abbey, UK. She is represented by UpStart Modern Gallery in Sausalito, California.

This exhibition is part of Adkins Arboretum’s ongoing series highlighting regional artists whose work engages with natural themes. The Arboretum is located at 12610 Eveland Road in Ridgely, Maryland. 

For gallery hours or more information, contact Adkins Arboretum at 410-634-2847, or visit adkinsarboretum.org. 

A 400-acre native garden and preserve, Adkins Arboretum provides exceptional experiences in nature to promote environmental stewardship. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the Photo!

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Happy Mystery Monday! Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?

 

The answer to last week’s mystery is goldenrod, Solidago, pictured in photo #2.

Goldenrods are herbaceous perennials belonging to the Asteraceae, or aster, family. There are 75 species of goldenrod native to the United States. They range in hight from under a foot to more than 6′.

Goldenrods are easily recognized by their clusters of tiny, golden flowers that appear in mid to late-August and last into October. These flowers are heavy with pollen that sticks to insects, rather than disperses in the wind. Therefore, goldenrod pollen will not make you sneeze.

All goldenrods are pollinator powerhouses. They bloom in succession, supporting more butterflies and moths than any other perennial. The rapidly disappearing monarch butterfly relies on goldenrod nectar to fuel their long Fall migration to Mexico. Goldenrods are one of the most important late-season sources of pollen and nectar for bees who are provisioning their nests for Winter.=

Goldenrods naturalize quickly in the garden and are easy to grow in full sun and dry-medium, well-drained soil. They have a deep, fibrous root system, and can help prevent soil erosion and improve soil structure.

Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the Photo!

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Happy Mystery Monday! Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is larvae of the milkweed tussock moth, Euchaetes egle, pictured in photo #2.
Milkweed tussock moth larvae is the OTHER caterpillar commonly found on milkweed. The species most commonly associated with milkweed are monarch caterpillars. Both tussock moths and monarch butterflies are entirely dependent on milkweed. They both lay their eggs on milkweed for their larvae to feed and develop.
While this native caterpillar is brightly colored and covered in tufts of black, orange and white, the adult moth is plain brown. This striking coloration, along with their hairy bodies, serves as a warning
signal to potential predators that the caterpillars are toxic and not a good meal. Handle this caterpillar with care! Touching their hairs can result in an uncomfortable rash.
Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the Photo!

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Happy Mystery Monday!  Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?

 

 

The answer to last week’s mystery is cypress twig gall midge, Taxodiomyia cupressiananassa, pictured in photo #2.

 

 

Nope, they’re not pinecones! The spongy, powdery balls encasing the cypress twigs pictured are caused by the larvae of a tiny fly, the cypress twig gall midge. Female twig gall midges lay a cluster of eggs on young cypress leaves. The growing maggots induce the midrib of the leaf to swell into a gall. A single gall can contain a dozen or more larvae.
The galls are most noticeable in late Spring and Summer, appearing as white or greenish-white.
Insecticide is not recommended because the galls do not harm the tree and there is no good, practical treatment for controlling them. Gall midge outbreaks are somewhat sporadic and a tree that was heavily infested with galls one year may have only a few galls in subsequent years.
Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Free Speaker Series Returns to Inspire Healthier Landscapes Across the Eastern Shore

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Ecological horticulturist, Rebecca McMackin speaks at the Avalon Theatre on Sunday, Nov 9th, 2024

Adkins Arboretum is proud to announce the 2025 Naturally Better Landscaping Speaker Series, a free four-part series designed to help homeowners, HOA boards, land managers, and community members explore practical and inspiring ways to care for the land using native plants and ecology-based practices.

This series is part of the larger Naturally Better Landscaping, a multi-year education and outreach initiative developed initially in partnership with ShoreRivers, and now in an extended collaboration with Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Pickering Creek Audubon Center, and Phillips Wharf Environmental Center. The project is generously funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Queen Anne’s County. This year’s speaker series expands on the success of earlier events, offering timely guidance from nationally recognized experts in the fields of horticulture, ecology, and design. Attendees will gain insight into how everyday landscaping choices impact pollinators, water quality, and climate resilience, and how to create landscapes that benefit both people and wildlife.

2025 Speaker Schedule:

Specialist Bees with Heather Holm Saturday, August 9, 1–3 p.m. Cadby Theatre, Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, MD. Register here. Discover the vital relationships between native plants and specialist bees, and how to support them on your property.

What Do You Mean I’m Not a Perennial?! Native Shrubs and Small Trees for Perennial Companionship with Bill Cullina Sunday, August 31, 2–3:30 p.m. Oxford Community Center, Oxford, MD. Register here. Learn how to enhance the beauty and structure of your garden using native woody plants that work in harmony with perennials.

Cultivating Change: A Native Landscaping Success Story Saturday, October 25, 2–3:30 p.m. Adkins Arboretum, Ridgely, MD. Register here. A panel of Cove Creek Club residents shares how their HOA shifted to native plantings, what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next.

Reimagining Our Landscapes: A Talk by Rebecca McMackin Sunday, November 9, 2–4 p.m. Avalon Theatre, Easton, MD. Register here. Ecological horticulturist Rebecca McMackin will explore how we can transform gardens and green spaces into thriving, resilient ecosystems that support biodiversity and respond to a changing climate.

All events are free and open to the public. To ensure adequate seating and materials, pre-registration is encouraged. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847. A 400-acre native garden and preserve, Adkins Arboretum provides exceptional experiences in nature to promote environmental stewardship.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the Photo!

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Happy Mystery Monday!  Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is jewelweed, Impatiens capensis, pictured in photo #2.
Jewelweed is native to a large part of the United States, mainly occurring along stream banks on marshy ground, growing with other herbaceous plants in shaded sites. It will often form large colonies in the wild.
Jewelweed is an annual herb that grows 3–5′ tall and blooms from late–Spring to early–Fall. The flowers are orange to orange-yellow with red spotting. When rain or dew appears on the flower, it sparkles like jewels. The flower is three-lobed and has a hooked conical spur at the back. Jewelweed is an important nectar source for hummingbirds, but is also frequented by bees, and butterflies.
Jewelweed self-seeds very easily. When ripe, the seed pods burst open and disperse tiny seeds in all directions at the slightest touch.
Jewelweed is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, which can calm inflamed skin.
Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the Photo!

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Happy Mystery Monday! Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is swamp rose mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos, pictured in photo #2.
Swamp rose mallow is an obligate hydrophyte, meaning it is wetland-dependent. It thrives in moist to wet soils and can be found in southern and eastern North America.
Swamp rose mallow’s five-petaled flowers range from white to pink. The center of the flower is red or burgundy, where a tubular column of yellow stamens extends. Mallow’s large, heart-shaped leaves are grayish-green on top and white below.
All parts of the swamp rose mallow is edible. The leaf buds and flowers can be cooked or eaten raw. The young leaves have a mild taste with a gelatinous consistency that can be added to salads. The root of the plant can also be eaten, but are quite tough.
Yes, marshmallows were originally derived from the roots of the marsh mallow or swamp mallow! They were mashed, boiled in water until thick, and then eaten. However, our current confection tastes nothing like marshmallow.
The rose mallow bee is considered a specialist bee, as it pollinates this species and only a few others. It’s a robust bee that resembles a bumblebee.
Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the Photo!

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Happy Mystery Monday!

Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?

The answer to last week’s mystery is milkweed, Asclepias, pictured in photo #2.

Unlike most flowers, milkweed does not produce loose pollen, but waxy, sticky balls of pollen called pollinia. Each milkweed blossom has a small slit leading down a chamber to the pollinia. When insects land on the droopy milkweed flowers, clinging to the petals as they feed on nectar, a foot can slip into the slit and come in contact with pollinia. When an insect pulls its foot out of the slit, it brings the pollinium with it. Should that same foot slip into another milkweed flower’s slit, the pollen can be transferred, facilitating fertilization.

Milkweed plants typically produce a lot of nectar. The nectar replenishes overnight, gratifying nocturnal moths. The remaining nectar is ready for the first diurnal visitors in the morning.

To access nectar, floral visitors prop themselves on one of the five flower hoods, sliding their tongues down the side of the hood where the nectar is held. They must be careful not to slip their leg down into the flower between the slits. Sometimes insects get stuck in a slit and are never able to free themselves. Some insects are not robust enough to remove their legs from the anther slits with the attached pollinia and are trapped to die there if they don’t lose their appendage first. Other times, they must tear off their own limbs to escape. Even if an insect does manage to pry its leg out of the trap door, some insects are unable to remove the pollinia.

One or two pollinia will slow an insect down, but too many can make it difficult to move. Despite the potential harm of visiting a milkweed flower, for many insects, this is a reliable source of nectar that is worth the risk.

Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Outdoor Sculpture Invitational: Artists in Dialogue with Landscape on View at Adkins Arboretum

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In a lively mix of nature and art, artists from the Mid-Atlantic region have created a wide range of site-specific sculptures for Adkins Arboretum’s 12th biennial Outdoor Sculpture Invitational, Artists in Dialogue with Landscape, on view through September 30. There will be a reception and guided sculpture walk with the artists on Saturday, June 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

The show begins with a pair of teardrop-shaped palm husks hanging from the limb of a pine outside the Visitor’s Center. One is a natural cinnamon-brown, the other is painted with colorful, abstracted flowers and leaves. Both are beautiful and eye-catching, raising thoughts about how human-made beauty compares with nature’s.

Created in collaboration by Ceci Cole McInturff of Alexandria, VA and New York painter Antoinette Wysocki, more of these palm husks dangle and spin among the forest trees. Just down the creekside path is another collaboration, this one by McInturff and Washington artist Chris Combs. Titled “Creature/Machine,” all of its palm husks are natural except for one where a tangle of wires and electronics is tucked inside. A solar-powered simulation of single-cellular life, it’s a tongue-in-cheek musing on whether it’s better to live as a creature or a machine.

In another mischievous look at technology’s relationship with nature, Combs created a solar-powered sculpture that counts units of time with LED lights flashing at intervals from 1 second up to 68 years. In sharp contrast is “Neverneverland (A Sundial)” by Stephanie Garon of Urbana, MD. With solar-powered technology dating back to ancient Egypt and Babylon, this analemmatic sundial uses the visitor’s own shadow to make the relationship of sun and earth visible.

Playing with changing light and shadow, opacity and transparency, “Filter,” by Alexandria artist Marcos Smyth, uses pieces of burlap loosely stretched between the branches of young trees like sails or tent caterpillar webs to capture the ever-changing beauty of the forest.

The forest’s beauty and its vulnerability led Melissa Burley of Laurel, MD to create several hollow concrete balls planted with saplings, ferns, and varicolored moss. Like tiny planets or ecosystems, they call to mind the accelerating loss of natural landscapes to development, yet inspired by her memory of a weeping willow sprouting through the cracks in an asphalt parking lot, they also prove the tenacious drive of life to grow even under difficult circumstances.

Arlington artist Isabella Whitfield’s “Ringside” evokes this urge with its thousands of sweetgum balls laboriously collected throughout the forest to fill a ten-foot disk spreading under the trees. While a single seedpod might seem insignificant, the sheer quantity she gathered speaks volumes about the fertility and abundance of life in the forest. Also captivated by these spiny balls, Nada Romanos Abizaid of McLean, VA turned one of the forest’s small wooden bridges into a magical portal by crowning two of its pilings with a pair of ceramic sculptures covered with oversized knobs and spiky protuberances inspired by sweetgum balls.

Likewise fascinated by the potential of seedpods, as well as sprouting plants and flowers, Falls Church, VA artist Marc Robarge created a compelling series of small ceramic sculptures as finely detailed as pine cones or budding flowers. So animated that they almost seem like tiny animals, their ambiguous character blurs the distinction between what is human made and what is natural to the forest. Both Elizabeth McCue of Yardley, PA and Bridgette Guerzon Mills of Towson, MD focused on the mycorrhizal network, an underground symbiotic network of fungi and plant roots that allows trees to communicate and share resources. The spidery white lines of Mills’s plaster-covered wire interwoven with crocheted thread evoke the mycorrhizal fibers hidden underground throughout the forest. McCue’s colorful web of branches stretching from a large “Mother Tree” to a nearby tree injured long ago by logging or an accident tell of how trees are able to help sustain one another through this network. Interconnected and interdependent, they are an integral part of the forest’s ecology.

This show is part of Adkins Arboretum’s ongoing exhibition series of work on natural themes by regional artists. It is on view June 1 through September 30 at the Arboretum Visitor’s Center located at 12610 Eveland Road near Tuckahoe State Park in Ridgely.

For gallery hours or more information, contact Adkins Arboretum at 410-634-2847, or visit adkinsarboretum.org.

 

A 400-acre native garden and preserve, Adkins Arboretum provides exceptional experiences in nature to promote environmental stewardship.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the Photo!

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Happy Mystery Monday!  Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is magnolia, Magnoliaceae, pictured in photo #2.

Magnolia is a large genus of 210–340 species of the family Magnolioideae. They’re a native evergreen tree or shrub with a straight trunk, conical crown, and very fragrant, large, white flowers. Their flowers are waxy and their oblong leaves are shiny and green with silvery undersides.

In cool locations, the sweet bay magnolia is usually a deciduous shrubby plant with multiple stems, while in warmer zones it tends to be an upright tree that remains evergreen.
Magnolias, especially Southern magnolia, produce seeds that are rich in fats and energy, making them a valuable food source for many animals, including wild turkeys, mockingbirds, and robins, as well as small mammals, like squirrels and opossums. The dense foliage of some magnolia species provides year-round shelter for small mammals and nesting sites for birds, offering protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.
Magnolia flowers produce a sugar-like substance that attracts pollinators. The flowers of many magnolias are considered edible.
Magnolias are an excellent plant for boggy locations or clay soils.
Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.