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Monthly Archives: January 2013
Red Orange Yellow Day
It’s the last day of January. The dead of winter. Long ago, I had a terrific boss who insisted that every year the staff celebrate Red Orange Yellow Day. I’m not sure if he made it up, or if there … Continue reading
Celandine: A Cozy Microhabitat
This little green plant is thriving, as so many weeds do, in the crack between brick and blacktop. Somehow a seed got in there, and found enough soil and moisture to sustain life. The dainty scalloped leaves are a non-native wildflower … Continue reading
Posted in environment, leaves, plant parts, Uncategorized, winter
Tagged celandine, microhabitat, winter weeds
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Touch of Spring: Guest Photographer Frank Knight
Thanks to Frank Knight for this stunning photograph. Frank specializes in close-up photographs of flowers. I love this beautiful shot of a delicate cluster of poison ivy flowers. Yes. Poison ivy has flowers. Dainty and delicate, lovely flowers that, yes, … Continue reading
Posted in adaptations, birds, edible, photos, plant parts, seeds, Uncategorized, wildlife
Tagged drupes, poison ivy, poison ivy berries, wildlife food
5 Comments
War and Seaweed
Sorry, this has absolutely nothing to do with botany. Several years ago, I wrote a book for young people on a weird and totally obscure topic: a little known historical incident that happened during the weird and totally obscure War … Continue reading
Posted in environment, photos
Tagged Invasion of Sandy Bay, Rockport Massachusetts, War of 1812 history
5 Comments
A Great Idea: Do It on Horseback
Every now and then, I see something that strikes me as a great idea. A Great Idea. Something that works. Something well designed, well-planned, creative, original. Something that has a positive impact on the environment, or wildlife, or people. (See … Continue reading
Poison Ivy: A Good Thing
“For many years I was a self-appointed inspector of snowstorms and rainstorms and did my duty faithfully, though I never received payment for it.” Henry David Thoreau You have to love Thoreau. He’s so quotable. And so energetic—no armchair nature … Continue reading
Posted in birds, edible, plant parts, seeds, wildlife, winter
Tagged berries, birds, poison ivy, woodpeckers
4 Comments
Together in the Storm
Thanks to Wells Horton for another amazing photograph. http://wells-horton.smugmug.com/ Who says trees all look alike?
Honey Locust: Something Missing
Ever see these weird wiggly worm-like seed pods lying around in a parking lot? They come from a tree, Honey Locust, Gleditsia triacanthos. The seed pods are a little sweet to taste, that’s where the honey part of the name comes … Continue reading
Posted in adaptations, native American, plant parts
Tagged Cherokee folklore, folklore, honey locust, locust, native American folklore, thorns
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Avian Weeds
No, it’s not the Parthenon. Or something built by spendthrift emperors in Ancient Rome. This is the State Education Department building in Albany, NY. It’s really a magnificent building. Based on the greatest traditions of Western architecture, only on a huge … Continue reading
Hey hey, ho ho, Hydrofracking has to go!
Today I went to an anti-fracking rally at the Empire State Plaza in Albany NY. I almost didn’t go—it’s not like I don’t have a hundred and seventeen other things to do, and besides I knew I would never find a … Continue reading
Unmowed 