I have such mixed feelings about the unseasonably beautiful weather we had for our walk this weekend. On the one hand, it was absolutely delightful to be out in near-60 degree weather. On the other, it’s awfully worrying that we have such days at all in January. Once a month, Laura and Claire lead a […]
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Category: Notes from the Field
Forest Explorations — November in the Fe
It sure felt like winter today, with temperatures in the 30s and a brisk wind that chased us away from the pond edge into the shelter of the trees. It’s easy to dismiss this time of the year as the off-season for naturalists, but there is still so much to learn and see! Once a […]
Forest Explorations — October in the Fel
The air is crisp. The whole forest is dressed in oranges, reds, and yellows that flash in the autumn light. It’s a feast of colors today but one can feel that Fall just passed its peak. The colors are vibrant, stunning but they are disappearing as quickly as the wind gusts detach the leaves from […]
Forest Explorations — September in the F
It didn’t feel much like fall this Saturday on our Forest Exploration in the Fells, given the unseasonably warm weather. But all through the forest, we found evidence of the coming of autumn. The asters and goldenrods are blooming, acorns are falling, and leaves are beginning to change color. Once a month, Laura and Claire […]
Wild Encountering with the Last “Man’s M
“In the majestic Mongolian landscape, where the vast grasslands meet the endless dunes, herds of horses rove. Neither tethered nor constrained by fencing, they run and graze on the arid, windswept steppes…” —Jane Palmer Wild Encounter with the Last “Man’s Messengers to the Gods” I am leaving tomorrow and will reach the fantastic land of […]
Shilpa’s Wildflower Highlights » Self-he
Shilpa’s Wildflower Highlights » Self-heal The Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) is a herbaceous perennial plant from the mint family, it looks a lot like mint but it does not have the minty or other aromatic fragrance. The genus name “Prunella” comes from the German word for “quinsy” (a severe sore throat caused by a tonsil abscess […]
Shilpa’s Wildflower Highlights » Buttonb
Shilpa’s Wildflower Highlights » Buttonbush Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is an obligate wetland species found at the margins of lakes, ponds, swamps, creeks, in moist, poor drainage and standing waters. The genus name came from two Greek words, “cephalo” meaning “head” and “anthos” meaning “flower”. It is a native species to the eastern and southern United […]
Shilpa’s Wildflower Highlights » America
Shilpa’s Wildflower Highlights » American White Waterlily This one is hard to miss, especially as they are spectacular showy flowers with sweet fragrance! American white water lily (Nymphaea odorata) or fragrant water lily is a beautiful aquatic plant, native to most states of the United States. They can be commonly found in ponds, protected areas […]
Being a Grebe Guardian in Patagonia
Being a Grebe Guardian in Patagonia After having volunteered abroad on several occasions, I felt I owed it to my country and to myself to do something in Argentina. Without searching very hard, The Hooded Grebe Project came across. And after reading the general description, I knew that this was exactly what I was looking […]
Shilpa’s Wildflower Highlights » Common
Shilpa’s Wildflower Highlights » Common Milkweed Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the most frequently encountered milkweed among 115 known species of the genus Asclepias. It’s a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow 4-6 feet tall. The name “milkweed” comes from the milk-like white secretion (sap) from every part of the plant when broken. It is […]