January 29, 2010 12:56 pm
I collected a large amount of tree ear (Auricularia auricula) and black jelly roll (Exidia glandulosa) mushrooms during this past week’s January thaw. Of course they may all be Exidia glandulosa.
As mycology evolves and knowledge is gained, much of what was once published is now being revisited. I’ve been enjoying my first fungi of 2010 in a rich mushroom soup perfect for a bitter cold winter days.
When everything else is dormant or frozen, it’s nice to find something new to go with my pine needle tea.
January 28, 2010 8:49 am
Heavy rain washed away the snow, exposing some interesting features of the rock surface of area mountains. This morning’s snow is laying down a fresh palette for wildlife tracks.
As for the rocks, when I saw this, I wondered if it had been split by temperature extremes:
But what really happened is that the tooth-like calcium deposit was not solid like this rock:
Moisture filled in between the gaps of the calicium “teeth” of the first rock.
I’ve spent a great deal of time hiking two mountains located less than 10 miles from each other which are composed of different geological materials. One is conglomerate rock with distinct vegetation and evidence of glacial movement.
The bedrock on the other mountain is precambrian gneiss outcroppings with mica and feldspar inclusions along with embedded microcrystalline quartz.
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January 15, 2010 9:30 am
I’m preparing tracking programs – age of participants and size of group varies. Despite the bitter cold, the snow has not been deep, making it a spectacular winter for tracking. Now my photos look like what I study in Tracking and the Art of Seeing.
I understand my subject matter. Making it memorable, in the way that Gary Lincoff or Tom Volk does – that’s my present is to show, not tell while speaking.
Since tracking actually involves all the senses, what can I do that’s engaging and memorable before we hit the trail? One option is coffee cup tracking, although I plan to use yogurt cups.
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January 5, 2010 8:45 am
It’s rare to get snow conditions that reveal as much track detail as I’ve seen this year. It’s even more surprising to be able to watch the animals move in their tracks and then have those tracks to study.
This group of wild turkeys were in a relatively open area.
What caused one turkey to spread its wings?
Here are a few more images: (more…)
