by Gus Goodwin I suspect there is a positive correlation between one’s appreciation for fir waves and one’s distance from them. From a distance, fir waves etch a pleasing pattern on the landscape, pose interesting ecological questions, and remind us that turmoil can be a form of stability. Up close, they inflict scrapes and puncture [...]
Archive for the ‘Botany’ Category
Fir Waves
Posted in Botany, Natural Destinations on April 15, 2013 | Comments Off
The Burlington Naturalist Scavenger Hunt Series: Williston’s Muddy Brook Wetland
Posted in Botany, Discoveries, Natural Destinations, Wildlife on February 28, 2012 | Comments Off
A special series of blog posts brought to you by Liz Brownlee – The Burlington Naturalist Scavenger Hunt Series: Discover the area’s hidden gems. Hone your naturalist skills. Learn to see the treasures along every walking path, trail, and creek. This series of scavenger hunts is a chance to get outside, look closely at the world around you, [...]
Random Nature Questions from a Non-naturalist
Posted in Botany, Discoveries, Wildlife, tagged ants, bees, behavior, birds, honey, physiology, Plants, trees, woodpecker on February 12, 2012 | 2 Comments »
by Audrey Clark My stepbrother lounged in front of the television watching a reality TV show about mining in Alaska. I sat on the couch, facing away from the television, drinking tea and reading a book on visionary scientists. After a while, I started to wonder what my stepbrother wondered about. “Caleb?” “Yeah.” “What questions [...]
A Closer Look at Cones: Norway Spruce
Posted in Botany, tagged Burlington, Doug, Norway spruce, ornamental, Vermont on October 22, 2011 | Comments Off
by Doug Morin Thwack……thwack…… What was that, I wonder? Never mind, I have to focus. thwack…clunk…bang……… Bang? Was that a bang? thwack…bang……thwack…thwack I couldn’t help myself. I opened the window and look down to the garage and driveway. Nothing moved. The neighbors weren’t even home. Back to work. thwack…thwack…thwack I raced over to the [...]
Jack-in-the-pulpit: The Forest Floor’s Hermaphrodite
Posted in Botany, Seasons, tagged Leah on October 1, 2011 | Comments Off
By Leah Mital-Skiff I don’t want to make any controversial statements about whether it is easier to be male or female, but it is tempting in this case. When times are good on the forest floor, Jack turns into Jackie and when the going gets rough, Jackie turns back into Jack. We could say that Jackie [...]
Subtle Wonders of the High Sierra
Posted in Botany, Climate Change, tagged alpine plants, Cathy, Sequoia National Park, Sierra Nevada on September 22, 2011 | 1 Comment »
by Cathy Bell After a night spent deeply burrowed into the warmth of my down sleeping bag, I wake to discover that my tent has abruptly transformed itself from a cozy refuge to a swelteringly confined space. The sun has only just cleared the ridgeline of Cirque Peak, but its rays are strong here at [...]