WriterByNature.com

June 18, 2009 7:55 pm

Mature Dryad’s saddle:

Timber rattler:

December 18, 2008 6:50 pm

My friend George Johanson makes gifts of black walnuts all year long. He’s really perfected the art of “walnut diplomacy.”

I spent most of this day cracking black walnuts – I’m nowhere near as efficient as George – but my day was spent thinking about the people I love who will receive black walnut gifts.

I still support Kiva and American Forests. This year I’m adding the Goshen Animal Shelter and Project Schoolhouse to my list. Project Schoolhouse ensures books do not end up in our land-fill. If the books are no longer fit to read, they can be turned into useful recyclable items, like insulation or garden compost.

I have always hated shopping. Years ago I lived with a shopaholic roommate, who delighted in keeping an eye out for clothing that would keep me from being a true fashion victim. Those days are long gone, but the fashion police haven’t caught up with me yet.

Holiday shopping is my idea of a nightmare. And that was before it became a life-threatening endeavor.

As everyone I know feels the economic pinch, I can see no reason to support corporate chemical contraptions and concoctions. With the limited dollars I have, I’d rather support the individuals and organizations who try to make the world a better place. After all, isn’t that what gift-giving is really about?

November 21, 2008 8:01 am

This is one of a series of articles designed to equip any naturalist with words that enhance learning and make field observation easier. Whether you’re a forager or a gardener, it’s useful to have a common vocabulary when talking about how plants grow. Here is a list of the more commonly used words for:

Flower Parts (more…)

November 14, 2008 6:48 am

This is one of a series of articles designed to equip any naturalist with words that enhance learning and make field observation easier. Here are the botanical terms for:

Leaf Shapes and Patterns

Alternate: leaves growing separately  and at different heights from each side of the stem

Opposite: leaves growing across from each other on the stem

Petiole: the stem that supports the leaf

Lobe: a rounded protrusion of a leaf (more…)

November 7, 2008 5:57 am

This is one of a series of articles designed to equip any naturalist with words that enhance learning and make field observation easier. Here are the botanical terms for:

Plant Growth and Life Span

Annual: a plant that lives for one growing season.

Biennial: a plant with a two-year growth cycle, the first year as a rosette, the second as a flowering stalk.

Herbaceous: a plant with no woody tissues that survive above ground from one year to the next.

Vegetative reproduction: a plant that does not use seeds to reproduce. (more…)

October 25, 2008 9:21 pm

This is one of a series of articles designed to equip any naturalist with words that enhance learning and make field observation easier. Here are the botanical terms for:

Plant Parts Below the Soil

Root – supports the stem and stores water and food for the plant.

Rhizome – a stem growing underground, often horizontally.

Tuber – a swollen, fleshy part of an underground stem.

Bulb – an underground leaf, which stores nutrient reserves.

Corm – an underground stem, which stores food.

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October 23, 2008 4:48 pm

Presenting nature programs to the public can be challenging, but my most recent experience at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum was a total joy.

Every adult attendee was male, most with toddlers, and school-aged sons and daughters; one dad carried his year-old infant in a 21st Century papoose.

The children noticed the lobes of the white oak leaves and the points of the red oak leaves. They were fascinated with the grubs that emerged from the acorns we gathered for display. Everyone shared the music of acorn cap whistles.

At a time when it’s easy to despair about climate change, habitat destruction and general apathy toward the natural world, I got a glimpse into the lives of some young families that affirm my values.

October 16, 2008 6:43 am

Once the acorns fall, it’s easy to gather large quantities. But it’s worth the time to select only the good acorns. Thanks to Sam Thayer, here are a few things to look for when gathering acorns for your pantry.

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October 15, 2008 6:47 am

As if harvesting blueberries and acorns simultaneously isn’t surprising enough, I was really shocked to see this blueberry plant flowering. Yes, the climate is changing.

In the autumns of my childhood, blueberries were no longer ripening in September, color was past peak by mid-October, and witch hazel bloomed after their leaves and nuts fell in November .

I’m tempted to stress out over the political decision-making that has contributed to climate change (not to mention our economic woes), but it’s leaf season and as long as there are autumn displays, I will honor them.

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September 29, 2008 6:58 am

Each of the five tiny petals on the umbel of a wild carrot flower is larger (or smaller) than the one next to it. I never noticed, until Sam Thayer pointed out that remarkable detail.

If you look closely at the tiny white flower petals on the top right, you can see for yourself.

Even if I were the best forager in the world, I’d continue to attend classes taught by well-respected foragers. Luckily, Sam found his way to Hawk Circle, where he expanded my writerbynature abilities in more ways than one.

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