Nadia’s Backyard- Pests and Parasites May 17, 2013
- The Return of the Stinker March 1, 2013
- Winter Rations December 31, 2012
- To All Things a Season November 16, 2012
- Galls Galore October 16, 2012
- Fall Medley #1 October 16, 2012
- Hitting the Trifecta September 7, 2012
- Where have all the berries gone? August 13, 2012
- There Be Giants Here! July 16, 2012
- No Free Lunch: Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) July 6, 2012
Category Archives: Musings
Beneath the Surface: Part Two
We think we’re safe. In the fenced-in enclave of our backyard, we watch life come and go in security that’s about as good as it gets. When we venture out of our backyard, as we often do, we retain a … Continue reading
Posted in Hiking, Musings, Natural Areas, Society
Tagged conservation areas, Crime, Natural areas, Photography
2 Comments
There is something in silence
Even in the relative peace and quiet of our backyard, my mind buzzes. While a titmouse is making its monotonous, but very determined, call to attract a mate, while the wind whooshes through tree branches, and a red-shouldered hawk cries … Continue reading
The Upper Left-Hand Brick
NOTE: This posting has an error! The apple-like oak leaf gall is caused by a (gasp) midge, not a wasp! The leaf gall of the wasp is an elongated gall along the veins of the leaf. I will update the … Continue reading
Posted in Insects, Landscaping, Musings, Native Plants
Tagged Cicadas, Galls, Insects, Missouri, Musings, nature, Pin Oaks, Reproduction, Trees, Wasps, Writing
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Men of Rice
This is not really about our backyard, except that that’s where I was when the memory washed over me, early one morning, about 4 a.m. or thereabouts, as I shivered and stared up at the sky, hoping to see the … Continue reading
Posted in Hiking, Musings, Photography
Tagged Astronomy, Chiapas, Mayan Indians, Meteors, Mexico, Musings, Poverty, Tzeltal Maya, UFOs
6 Comments
Specially and diversely unique. Or something…
It was waaay past time to turn the compost in our backyard. One of those jobs that seem much worse in anticipation than they actually are, turning compost is something I can put off for a very long time. Now, … Continue reading
Posted in Gardening, Musings, Natural Areas, Prairies
Tagged Agriculture, bootheel, conservation areas, deserts, Gardening, Insects, Missouri, Musings, Natural areas, nature, Plants, sand prairies, Wildlife
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Summer’s End
O Autumn, lie down on me and cover me with russet and gold. I will not sweep you away, or tell the lie that only Spring is real.
Posted in Musings, Photography, Seasons
Tagged Autumn, nature, Photography, Poetry, Seasons
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Nature’s Pauses
“Nature’s music is never over; her silences are pauses, not conclusions.” Mary Webb. ——————————— I wandered recently into our backyard, camera in hand, to see what drama might unfold in front of me this day, and the first thing I … Continue reading
The Unknown Turn
I looked down the at the tattered sheet of paper laying beside the path. Despite having been shredded by shotgun pellets, it was still legible. “Trail Begins Again Here”, it said. A few feet farther along, Nadia and I emerged … Continue reading
Posted in Hiking, Musings, Natural Areas
Tagged conservation areas, Exploring, Hiking, Missouri, Musings, Natural areas, nature, Walking
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Through the Keyhole
It takes patience to walk a beagle. It is not an exercise for the terminally rushed, nor is it for those who want to cover a lot of ground and work up a sweat. Beagles have other agendas. It doesn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Insects, Musings, Pets
Tagged Beagles, Butterflies, Communication, Dogs, Insects, Musings, nature, Perception, Pets
4 Comments