Part 1. Finding a Campsite Scouting for a campsite one day in the Warner Mountains, we take the Mosquito Loop road. We drive slowly along the dirt track that hugs the bottom of a hill. We round the loop, and I holler, “Stop!” Don pulls over and parks the truck. Where the […]
Nature Notes. Marmot Springs. Part 1. Camping in Eden
One springtime we wandered into the Warner Mountains of NE California. Looking for a campsite we parked the truck near a marshy pond just off the main road. We walked the dirt track that followed a small branch of East Creek. Beaver-chewed aspen marked the waterway; early wildflowers nodded; aspen whispered as we passed. […]
Nature Notes. The Mouse That Howled. Part 1. A Mouse at the Campfire.
View from Lava Beds CA Juniper Sagebrush Country From the files of Donald R. Kirk: Part 1. A Mouse at the Campfire No moon tonight. Camped near a creek in an open juniper forest, our fire is a low glow of deep red embers. An infinity of stars sparkles the night sky. The four of […]
Out Sketching. Marmot Springs. Part 2. Indian Paintbrush Drawing Lesson
Part 2. The Drawing Lesson In my previous blog my love of wildflowers leads me to sketch an Indian Paintbrush. I wait until afternoon to sketch so that I can sit in shade. I set my art stool in the grass next to a stand of Ponderosa pine on the edge of the clearing. […]
Out Sketching. Mosquito Loop. Part 3. Puffball Lore
Star Puffball (Calvatia sculpta) Part 3. Puffball Lore In my previous Blog I sketched with pencil the amazing configuration of a geometric marvel in the form of a white puffball. While I take a break I wander across the road and up into the woods. Maybe I can spot another one. I love […]
Out Sketching. Mosquito Loop. Part 1. Discovery on a Dirt Road
Star Puffball (Calvatia sculpta) We follow the Mosquito Loop road around the meadow that’s on our way to Patterson Guard Station. The well-worn dirt track leads through mixed forest, mostly lodgepole pine, a few ponderosa, and aspen. Just past the small cluster of aspen that’s on the uphill side, I spot something white in […]
Nature Notes. A Rare Tree. Part 3. An Uncommon Pine Tree
Photo: Lightning Scar on Ponderosa Pine Tree From the files of Donald R. Kirk: Part 3. An Uncommon Pine Tree In my earlier Blog we find a lightning scarred tree. When I examine the cones, I find it is neither a ponderosa cone, nor a Jeffrey. Suddenly I recognize this tree. I can’t believe […]
Nature Notes. A Rare Tree. Part 2. Lightning Scars
Photo: Lightning Scar on Ponderosa Pine Tree From the files of Donald R. Kirk: Part 2. Lightning Scars In my previous blog I told of a horrendous storm in the night while camped in the Warner Mountains. Next morning we find a tree with a fresh lightning scar that runs from crown to ground. This […]
Nature Notes. A Rare Tree. Part 1. Storm in the Night
Photo: Lightning Scar on Ponderosa Pine Tree From the files of Donald R. Kirk… A Rare Tree Part 1. Storm in the Night An explosive blast of thunder jolts me awake. My wife sits up in bed. I can hear our two kids exclaiming in the tent pitched close beside our small travel trailer. […]
Cherish the Earth. Hurray for Green Plants!
Green growing plants keep us alive. They are our neighbors, our plant communities. Do you know them? The trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, and ground dwellers that form the community of life around you? Can you call your plant neighbors by name? Years ago we camped at Great Basin N.P. The first morning went like this: […]
Nature Notes. Three Bird Nests. Part 3. Camouflaged Dark-eyed Junco Nest.
From the files of Donald R. Kirk: In my last 2 postings I told about photographing a tree swallow nest and the nest of a western wood peewee. I offered a 50 cent nest finder’s fee to my family, and they are keeping me busy…My daughter points out a dark–eyed junco nest. The four of […]
Nature Notes. The Great Gray Owl. Part 2. The Beaver Dam
From the files of Donald R. Kirk… The Great Gray Owl: Part 2. The Beaver Dam Several stands of willows grow on the edge of the pond where the water is only a few inches deep. This shallow water is very muddy. Numerous, thick willow shoots are freshly nipped off. Here is good evidence […]