On a Lifelong Journey to Learn my Place
Back in March 2011, I was out with a friend at the edge of the kelp patch near Low Island and saw a lone bird I did not recognize. From a distance it appeared to have something of a scoter-like profile – at least the head a bill. However, it was much too pale for … Read more
On a recent walk to the park, I was interested to notice at least two different chunks of yellow jacket nests on the ground along the trail. I’m not sure what species was working on them – I’ve seen a couple of different ones here – but I imagine it’s the queens getting things going. … Read more
Mystery Bird Song (right click to download) I recorded this song in the neighborhood this morning, but was not able to see the bird (it seemed to be hanging out in a patch of trees, first in a large alder, then in some nearby conifers). I heard it still singing later in the morning and … Read more
While down at the beach checking out the shorebirds, I happened to catch an odd sort of interaction between several crows. I was able to get three different ~1minute video clips and posted to youtube the one with the best light and sound, but the behavior in all three was essentially the same. The quiet … Read more
Red Huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) stems are typically green, however if a plant is growing in a place with lots of sun exposure, some stems (especially the outer ones) will get a fair amount of red in them. My understanding is the red comes from anthocyanins that help protect the plant from sunlight in excess of … Read more
Recently I noticed some interesting imprints in the graywacke at John Brown’s Beach. As best I can tell, something that was formerly there is no longer there, and that something was different than the rest of the rock. Perhaps it was some sort of softer stone embedded in the harder graywacke that eroded easily? I … Read more