WriterByNature.com

September 29, 2009 6:13 am

Chicken mushrooms are abundant and succulent this year. I initially thought the Red Eft was enjoying the mushroom.

According to two people, the salamander is enjoying the insects (possibly Springtails) who are enjoying this mushroom.

I was fortunate to accompany Dianna Smith and George Johanson for a trek to plan the NEMF foray which will take place in late September 2010.  If conditions are anything like this next year, the event will be a huge success.

June 18, 2009 7:55 pm

Mature Dryad’s saddle:

Timber rattler:

September 21, 2008 5:31 am

I set out in hopes of finding edible mushrooms. We haven’t had as much rain as surrounding areas, so there wasn’t much to find.

The last few days have felt like autumn, cool crisp mornings and sunny afternoons. As I passed by a sunny area on this otherwise shady trail, I heard the rattler, giving me time to get my camera ready.

The original footage shows the snake’s flickering tongue clearly. The original audio also has a clear rattle. The YouTube upload is not as clear, but look carefully in the center of the screen, just above the overexposed fern leaf and you may be able to make it out.

June 20, 2008 12:13 pm

With all the trouble in the world, I can’t help but feel hopeful when I see a wood frog,

These frogs migrate long distances to breed, so the sight of this reptile means that there’s sufficient habitat to support them on one of my favorite trails .

I did find a few milkweed buds to eat before these flowers burst into full bloom.

A mocking bird stopped by to check me out while I was foraging. I feel like I’ve succeeded in blending in with the natural world when animals approach me.

June 4, 2008 5:07 pm

This chicken mushroom popped out at the right time. I harvested the only the tender edges, and still had enough to feed an army.

I haven’t hiked this trail in several weeks. This is the earliest I have seen a rattler taking in the sun.

I’m always torn between enjoying my discoveries and my concerns about global warming.

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August 17, 2007 1:38 am

The moving picture feature of my Canon PowerShot A720IS Digital Camera comes in very handy on the trail.

These two rattlers were busy on Schunemunk Ridge several weeks ago, oblivious to their human audience.

Luckily they provided an opportunity to get still photos, too.

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July 26, 2007 2:33 pm

Enjoying nature is in the little things, like this insect (I think it’s a firefly) on a laurel node. Dawn and dusk are the best times for hiking; that’s when I see the most wildlife activity. (more…)

June 21, 2007 9:48 am

My early morning nature hikes make me feel like I am in a holy place. With images like this, what other way is there to see the natural world? (more…)

May 16, 2007 8:44 pm

The days are still getting longer, making it easier for animals to get around. Here’s who was out and about this morning:

This porcupine is aware I’m watching. Porcupines cannot “throw” their quills. Quills penetrate the skin of animals that touch them.

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March 30, 2007 5:09 pm

This is the sound of spring peepers and wood frogs singing a duet when the weather was warm last month.

The swamp was too deep for me to get a glimpse, but the duet is still beautiful.