exploring nature’s infinite connections
I have been at a bit of a loss of words or image inspiration of late. Loss of words I suppose is a poor way to put it, it is actually too many words and thoughts that take some effort to sort through and organize in any type of coherent manner. So much going on in the...
The US National Park system celebrates its 104th birthday on Aug 25, 2020. Here in Michigan, we are fortunate to have 5 National Parks and 2 other national sites managed by the NPS. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Lake Superior, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, near...
Pandemic stay-at-home boredom is impacting me a bit. It has also been hard to keep focus. I have about 5 posts sitting in draft right now that I keep coming back to, making changes, adding, and then hitting writer's block. My photography output is pretty low, even in...
Michigan is home to 57 orchid species, according to the current listing at the University of Michigan's michiganflora.net. It is by far the most comprehensive flora species identification tool when it comes to our state. Wild orchids are typically a cherished find for...
May can be just as colorful month as October when it comes to trees. They have a softer, more subtle palette than the more dramatic hues of autumn, but no less enjoyable. Like autumn, It is also short-lived, as the colors eventually transition to more homogeneous...
Rabbit holes; They take us to some interesting places, cause us to think about some interesting things. With this and perhaps an ongoing series of posts, I'll bring you along down into the rabbit holes of some of my thoughts and explorations. Oh yes! There will be...
This week I took advantage of a guided hike by Bill Atkinson of the Michigan Nature Association in a new preserve for me. The MNA is one of Michigan's oldest land preservation organizations following a basic philosophy that in order to preserve land, you need to own...
The crunch of leaves, the solid smooth feel of American Beech bark, the smell of pine, the flickering light piercing the canopy, and the taste of fresh air, all encountered in a few steps. The sound of a nearby stream, a Great Horned Owl calls in the distance, the...
A Great year for Monarchs in Michigan! This year is being reported as being a great year for Monarch Butterflies. That's welcome news! Overall, however, their populations are still very much on the decline, down 80% over the past 20 years. Historically...