tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36849217842879015692024-03-20T03:54:36.705-05:00A Life Inspired by Natureanna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-60468488791696977812015-03-15T15:38:00.000-05:002015-03-15T15:38:15.592-05:00No snow, More sunshine<br />
Last week, I wrote about hiking in all different kinds of snow at Sky Meadows State Park, but spring came this week! I was actually home from work when I wrote last week's post, and we got about 10 inches of super wet and heavy snow. However, the snow did not stick around long with warm night-time temperatures and rain dissolving it quickly. As the snow melted, we saw and are seeing more and more signs of spring. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooded Mergansers on Turner Pond at Sky Meadows State Park, March 11th, 2015 <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">by Anna Malcom.</span><br />Males were arching their necks to display their beautiful crest feathers for females. <br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moss responded quickly to the warm <br />damp rain with lots of sporophytes <br />reaching up to disperse the spores.</td></tr>
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This week, I have found little ferns poking their fronds up out of the soil, fresh shelf fungus on a dead tree, and pollen cones on the juniper trees. The creek and ponds are full of snow melt, and the ground is squishy mud. Ducks are arriving as the ponds thaw. A few of us from Sky Meadows went on a 30 minute adventure during lunch to see about 10 Hooded Mergansers. They were so pretty and flashy. The males were arching their necks to show off for some females. I also saw a Ring-necked Duck, a English House Sparrow with nesting material, and flocks of Canada Geese circling. Jacob and I saw Wood Ducks in some trees. Wood Ducks nest in tree cavities, and were probably scouting out some nesting locations! Jacob and I also saw 4 salamander egg masses on our walk this morning at Shenandoah River State Park, and an Eastern Meadowlark and a Ground Hog at Sky Meadows on Saturday. It seems that spring sprung, and it feels good to be outside soaking in the sunshine, doodling, and playing in the garden. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new shelf fungus are deep purple brown. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little creek is full of snow melt. <br />I've been looking for salamanders but haven't spotted one yet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The melting snow was creating a fog! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little bits of green emerge.</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-39525222607879922532015-03-05T10:16:00.000-06:002015-03-05T10:16:22.360-06:00One hundred words for snow<br />
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On Monday my boss at Sky Meadows State Park gave me and Michelle, another new employee, the day to hit as many trails as possible. The day wasn't ideal weather for hiking, but we still enjoyed our day outdoors exploring the park. The going was often slow and I better understand the reason that Inuit people have so many names for snow. On our hike we walked through powdery snow, snow with a crust of ice on top and powder underneath, snow hard enough to support my weight, snow compacted into ice by people walking there, snow melted and refrozen into super slippery ice, snow blown by the wind, snow drifts, snow on top frozen puddles, slushy snow, snow that had melted but left a thin glass like layer of ice on top, and there were even a few spots where the snow was completely gone. We returned worn out, a bit chilled, and with damp toes. But the beauty of Sky Meadows rewarded us and we were both happy to have braved the cold. <br />
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Winter gets a bad rep, and it seems that winter came a bit late in Virginia and is now extending it's stay (I am having a snow day at home as I write this blog). I will also be happy to welcome warmer temperatures and spring blooms, but I find things about the winter that I are beautiful and enjoyable. The views, colors, stark structures of trees, and the snow provide so much to admire. Our hike was overcast some would call it gloomy, but look at the purple mountains, grey, light blue, and green tinged sky, look at the contrasting shadowy mountains and white fields. It's beautiful! We saw silhouetted skeleton trees and brooks the color of black ink. One of the joys of going out in nature is that it is different everyday, and the bad weather days can still be beautiful. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the historic area from Piemont trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thin glass like ice is left floating on the grass as the snow melts away underneath<br />
Ice sounded like glass too as I walked up the hill.</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-26544838069505713512015-02-21T10:45:00.001-06:002015-02-21T10:45:40.361-06:00New Job At Sky Meadows State Park!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFcIwobPn8gHf5hn82UrPT2rJDlmTNcMUcXl5WbUzG_1zlHl3KTAzBOb6VItLm4OxNxRDUdFA3doX6I3AE1X7tqkkJkgR0YaUJE23g1npcDMZ8Ic-Ij3ftksYeWMJU6T9j7zd2jlQ92Lo/s1600/IMG_1583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFcIwobPn8gHf5hn82UrPT2rJDlmTNcMUcXl5WbUzG_1zlHl3KTAzBOb6VItLm4OxNxRDUdFA3doX6I3AE1X7tqkkJkgR0YaUJE23g1npcDMZ8Ic-Ij3ftksYeWMJU6T9j7zd2jlQ92Lo/s1600/IMG_1583.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky and Meadowsof Sky Meadows State Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in my new uniform!</td></tr>
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I am happy to report that I am newly employed at Virginia's Sky Meadow State Park as the Volunteer and Special Event Coordinator! I'm really excited about this position because it will allow me to use many of the talents that I have developed at the Austin Nature and Science Center and Connecticut Audubon, but it will also stretch me to learn new skills as well. So far, my work has be mostly indoors which is okay when the temperatures stay below freezing all day. I am busy getting up to speed on all the aspects of my new job. Here are a few snap shots of the park from the office area and the view from by desk window. I'm sure to have more to blog about in the coming weeks. Some of my blog posts, may also be shared with parts of my work as I start getting the word out about up coming events.<br />
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Sky Meadows State Park is a beautiful place with over 1000 acres. The park has four interpretive themes for its programs including rest and relaxation, agriculture, history, and nature. The relaxation and agriculture themes stem from stipulations of the original donation that the park be a place of low-impact recreation, and that the property not loose it's agricultural roots. Historical buildings from the 1700-1800s, including Mount Bleak house, and beautiful landscapes provide ample inspiration for history and nature programs. Starting in March through the end of the year, there are things going on every weekend at Sky Meadows. Our own staff hosts spring hikes, wildflower walks, historic tours, roving programs, and more. The Friends of Sky Meadows State Park lead a monthly walk and craft day. Sky Meadows also partners with several volunteer organizations that enrich our site's program offerings. We have bee hives maintained by Beekeepers of the Northern Shenandoah, Doug and Ramona. The Farmer's Forge program is headed by George and Phil of the Blacksmith Guild of the Potomac. There are astronomy night's by Northern Virginia Astronomy Club, Bird walks with Virginia Audubon, and more. I am very excited to be working at such a beautiful and fun sight especially since rest and relaxation, agriculture, history, and of course nature are all things that I love!<br />
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Sheep and a donkey in a field on the way to work </td></tr>
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... <div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-16613775584193503472015-02-01T08:43:00.000-06:002015-02-01T08:43:12.730-06:00Let's go for a Walk (part 2)... continuing our walk from <a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2015/01/lets-go-for-walk.html">last week</a> ...<br />
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Come on! We're heading into the pine groove that Ansel planted over 30 years ago. The trees are tall, and dark with a soft, quiet, carpet of moss and a few pine needles (loads of needles help insulate tender plants during the winter months.) A pile of feathers, and partial rodent skull mean that some predator hunts among these pines. Watch the dogs's noses wiggle and snort at the edge of a brush pile. The dogs wade in among the gnarled brunches in search of its occupants. A grey loaf of bunny silently and quickly escapes to another brush pile. The dogs unaware continue their investigation. Let's go and give those critters a rest!<br />
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There's more to check out. The little pond is frozen, and the dogs venture out on the water. Cici skitters across the surface in her bounding way of running. Silly's legs seem to move extra fast with dainty strides. You can almost hear the cartoon, high-pitched bell sound accompany Silly across the ice, while Cici gets a snare drum and cymbal. Antro, as always, is just interested in getting closer to those squirrels.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">From the pond, we follow the Little Dry Creek (a perennial stream flowing with rains and winter snows) through bushy junipers to the property corner. You must be careful as you jump across the icy rocks, but the dogs have no problem! The stream continues on its way to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, but we must turn up the hill at the eastern boundary of the property. Your breath might puff just a little trying to keep up with the dogs as they scamper ahead. The hill is home to oaks, maple and hickory whose fallen leaves make for a noisy carpet. Crunch, crunch, crunch up the hill, and down again. The loop leads us back to the house and the end of our walk. </span></div>
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Thanks for going on a walk with us. We'll head out again tomorrow around the same time. The dogs and I hope to see you then.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-23016342558831276192015-01-24T09:13:00.003-06:002015-01-24T09:13:36.589-06:00Let's go for a walk<br />
Come on! Let's go for a walk! <br />
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What'd you say? Are the dogs coming? Of course, they're going outside, too. Oh! They just heard a <i>magic</i> word. <i> Outside</i>! Did someone say <i>outside!</i>? <br />
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Here we go, out through the yard on a grassy path through a mix of yellow grasses, rusty red leaves, and grey bushes. Ansel, gardener extraordinaire, laments the dreary colors of this time of year, but the birds don't mind. The thick shrubbery is a haven our feathered guests, not to mention good food with berries, seed heads, and several feeders stocked daily with sunflower seeds. Cardinals, jays, junco, sparrows, woodpeckers, goldfinch, house finch, wrens, nuthatches, and pine siskins are the regulars.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jRqHyiaQ9tCQ9CtEv3nYhYRGtN7OrRuoeFFbWEwsLq_CLDxaxL5jq2W9kobmNtE_ggXR3g6fMmKD8y__41QQXG9_IlVGJotw243yKowqtSYPx7LABHXoZRRp8_iccP8aGhRzWHJRz_yi/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jRqHyiaQ9tCQ9CtEv3nYhYRGtN7OrRuoeFFbWEwsLq_CLDxaxL5jq2W9kobmNtE_ggXR3g6fMmKD8y__41QQXG9_IlVGJotw243yKowqtSYPx7LABHXoZRRp8_iccP8aGhRzWHJRz_yi/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Now, we're going past the old shelter covered in vines, and filled with firewood. The wood stove is hungry, and we keep it fed. Inspections of the shelter must be done, and Antro is the dog for the job. He checks all the nooks for rodents, and other critters that only his nose can identify. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKEei5NcsrmQFYwF_hHVFxgznrwzo-ilqpdSb3URMbOsMUmmxfcdmKauB2sz2VlIvRlrAhz7qaWt2jbxmLLhZ3Gz4X7sE_o6uUZlx7ErOOBEn2f3gTW2SGPdKJ7fJvtWcEYPx9GxqFCgL/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKEei5NcsrmQFYwF_hHVFxgznrwzo-ilqpdSb3URMbOsMUmmxfcdmKauB2sz2VlIvRlrAhz7qaWt2jbxmLLhZ3Gz4X7sE_o6uUZlx7ErOOBEn2f3gTW2SGPdKJ7fJvtWcEYPx9GxqFCgL/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>On we go to the old apple orchard. Only a few old apple trees remain, and the spaces have been filled in with younger trees. Some were planted to provide a screen from the road, and others food and shelter for wildlife. Are you enjoying the winding paths cut through the tall grass? Watch the dogs bound through yellowed grass. Their tails whip the air in excitement. Nose down in a hole, sniff, sniff, snort, butt in the air, tail a'whorl. Okay, let's go! Cici runs to catch up at a whistle and call, Antro and Silly, the terriers, linger at the scent for as long as possible.<br />
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Next, we're heading for the pine grove planted over 30 years ago...<br />
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On a different note...<br />
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The blog turns 3 years old today. I hope you've enjoyed the blog this year. Here are a few links to some of my favorite posts of the year. I would love to hear if you had a favorite post! <br />
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<a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/02/rambles.html">Rambles</a><br />
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<a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/02/abstract-snow.html">Abstract Snow</a><br />
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<a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/10/mushrooms-to-study.html">Mushrooms to Study</a><br />
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<a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/04/hello-amphibians.html">Hello Amphibians</a><br />
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<a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-year-on-bolduc-ln.html">A Year at Bolduc Lane</a><br />
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<a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/03/little-sillys-big-adventure.html">Little Silly's Big Adventure</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-15040416138391227262015-01-21T15:05:00.001-06:002015-01-21T15:05:21.427-06:00Doodle for CreativityI haven't been taking as many photos lately as I usually do. It's a combination of not carrying my phone as often since reception is spotty among the blue ridge mountains, and being too absorbed in seeing things that I forget that I have a camera. I am trying to get some photos together for you to enjoy of our new home, but I hope you enjoy some doodles. Some of the doodles were done recently and others are a bit old. <br />
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I often come up with ideas for paintings while doodling. I know the free time sketching, scribbling, and sometimes just sitting while waiting for ideas is important to my creativity. Our busy lives pressure us to be doing stuff every second of the day. Balancing our responsibilities can make finding time to let creative thoughts bubble up challenging. Creative ideas seem to come to me the most often when I am outside, being quiet in nature, and sometimes those ideas turn into artwork. <br />
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I'd love to hear what helps your creative juices flow? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg178onEev0JW1nxJTp6bbiBVIk9IE44tcjwpz-KAs1VHl474BToMSAxYdZVIlo96TA61TmSTssuLlYWSOacUjnLBgbdv9jZ41ufvdX0Vs9fHskxvxL71JYMG-LK8ecSzT_Akw7X3AIzPY8/s1600/woodp001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg178onEev0JW1nxJTp6bbiBVIk9IE44tcjwpz-KAs1VHl474BToMSAxYdZVIlo96TA61TmSTssuLlYWSOacUjnLBgbdv9jZ41ufvdX0Vs9fHskxvxL71JYMG-LK8ecSzT_Akw7X3AIzPY8/s1600/woodp001.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pileated Woodpecker working its way up a branch inspecting every nook and cranny. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AXM5NOOeiEV5SeoAF1akY5-uokE-FgLhc5ZtxnJ6gANGGrCF7KqHPp57hrsRwShG_VwNWX4IgbjxahuWQUGiGZEI3A-2kHaMPpEPBqmJKi8MxSpyloVhLDxi-BV9MoN7ejPq_hWU82bF/s1600/woodp002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AXM5NOOeiEV5SeoAF1akY5-uokE-FgLhc5ZtxnJ6gANGGrCF7KqHPp57hrsRwShG_VwNWX4IgbjxahuWQUGiGZEI3A-2kHaMPpEPBqmJKi8MxSpyloVhLDxi-BV9MoN7ejPq_hWU82bF/s1600/woodp002.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few mornings ago, I saw several crows walking out in a field beyond the property.<br />The crows were just on the crest of the hill and looked enormous. While looking and the crows walking along, I spotted the Pileated in the winter trees. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYtaxwhUui1pgt8YYL-vJDi13sUHvVV4ORgfFjPCccrgMiJN3qv4CBr67S-w_u8aq_MMnSWFXl5KuQVTE-YmgRVa13Axi1yW6cznGknFHauuebndOJrmy0W0Q7oMGS3t2HnwGOPQipQTV/s1600/woodp003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYtaxwhUui1pgt8YYL-vJDi13sUHvVV4ORgfFjPCccrgMiJN3qv4CBr67S-w_u8aq_MMnSWFXl5KuQVTE-YmgRVa13Axi1yW6cznGknFHauuebndOJrmy0W0Q7oMGS3t2HnwGOPQipQTV/s1600/woodp003.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bambam in the garden. The afternoon sun was lighting up some little unidentified insects.<br />The insects seemed to be dancing globes of light, perhaps they were fairies! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHS4xx97YuknTGlrCgEwNOhUlcA-kpKsugTrsc8x6Kf765fGpw-LEgZasoVG5FX5J6VPjDPb8AYJ4iXTajcX2RSWdkmz3alXwqPe44px22MDYa740IPgNb66wxlA5oQTQRJckciYyIEVh/s1600/woodp004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHS4xx97YuknTGlrCgEwNOhUlcA-kpKsugTrsc8x6Kf765fGpw-LEgZasoVG5FX5J6VPjDPb8AYJ4iXTajcX2RSWdkmz3alXwqPe44px22MDYa740IPgNb66wxlA5oQTQRJckciYyIEVh/s1600/woodp004.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-shouldered Hawks glide over the yard and me,<br />squawking and diving as they go</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a real tree. I drew its essence as accurately as I could, <br />but I didn't attempt to make it too detailed with individual leaves and bark textures.</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-45047708109799958312015-01-14T15:29:00.002-06:002015-01-14T15:29:30.026-06:00Drawing with String<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This winter I took up a new hobby, embroidery, in order to make some Christmas presents and be busy during these super cold winter days. I found an old embroidery hoop down in the basement, and remembered getting pillowcases that my Grandma Erwin had made for me. As a kid I was too impatient to complete many sewing projects, but now I think embroidery is fun because it is similar drawing with colorful thread, a needle, and fabric. I mentioned that I was thinking of getting a kit of pillowcases with a stamped pattern to Jacob to get started. He said that I could come up with much better designs than anything they'd have as a pattern. So, I bought plain pillowcases, a washable fabric marker, a bag of embroidery thread of every color, and started doodling. Of course, by designs are inspired by nature!</div>
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The first pillowcase set I made for Jacob and me of our favorite dragonflies and damselflies</div>
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My pillowcase is on the left with a Rosette Skimmer, a Halloween Pennant, and an Emerald Green Jewelwing. Jacob's pillowcase has a Giant Darner (similar to a Green Darner, but an inch longer), a Rosette Skimmer, and a Rubyspot damselfly.</div>
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I made my mom and dad Barn Swallow cases. I drew the birds on paper, cut it out, and traced it onto the case. </div>
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Ansel and Mary Carol (dad and mom Malcom) got garden inspired pillowcases. </div>
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These are Angel Trumpet flowers, brugmansia. Ansel grows several varieties of the tropical plant in the garden. They grow taller than people. Many of them are dug up and put under the house every winter, others are cut down and buried in layers and layers of pine needles and leaves. The flowers smell wonderful at night.</div>
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A hummingbird with Mexican Sage and a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly with purple cone flowers can be seen in the garden during the summer time. </div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-34130608573210672462015-01-08T11:41:00.002-06:002015-01-08T11:41:54.032-06:002014 fall paintings I haven't shared my paintings from 2014, and wanted to share my nature inspired artwork with you. The beginning of 2014 was artistically/creatively consumed by my children's story project in which I wrote and illustrated a story about Silly dog. You can check out a post about the children's <a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/03/little-sillys-big-adventure.html">book here</a>. I painted over 20 pictures to illustrate the book. After that project, I really didn't produce many paintings, but played with watercolors making bookmarks, and doodling. Then summer came with summer camp and the garden and I didn't paint anything! But after summer camp, I got busy. <br />
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I got a super pack of seven 1 ft square canvases because the first thing I painted after summer camp was series of paintings for John and Nicole for their wedding. The three paintings are of horses that tell a nice story. I painted the horses in a Native American style which I have always admired. I fell in love with this earthy iron yellow color. I would hang the paintings in this order horizontally with a 4 inch space between so the story doesn't get lost. I always try to tell a story with my paintings. I don't know if I always succeed, but I the idea of storytelling is important to me.<br />
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John and Nicole met while stationed in the Fort Hood 1st Cavalry horse division. They are part of the ceremonial and traditional detachment of mounted cavalry. The detachment can be seen when troops are deployed from Fort Hood, when the commanders change posts, at parades, and other special events. You can see a great photo of John in the Rose Bowl parade on the 1st Calvary Horse detachment <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Cavalry-Division-Horse-Cavalry-Detachment-HCD/123247444390869">facebook page </a> Way to go John! Oh!, and the white/grey horse is suppose to be John's horse Sweet tea, and the Paint is Nicole's horse Breezy. :) <br />
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The next painting was done for our landlords in Chaplin, John and Doreen Bolduc, who were exceptional. My conversations with John often strayed to the deer that he feeds in his yard. Jacob and I also had a tiny herd of two does and a fawn that would clean out the bird feeders every night. They always froze and stared at me when they were caught in the act. I enjoyed studying the woods as I walked to make the background look right. <br />
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<b>Owl of the Year - Year of the Owl</b> was the only painting that I really did for myself. Seeing and hearing the Barred Owls in our backyard was a highlight of our year in Chaplin, CT. Owls are so fantastic!<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Lisa got a Red-tailed Hawk over looking the valley in McNeal, AZ for Christmas. Red-tail Hawks can always be seen sitting on the telephone poles along hwy 181 that runs through the valley </span>where she and my brother, Luke live. The hawks seem to guard the valley.</div>
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Billie got Kangaroo Rats playing at night. Billie is a veterinary assistant, and I knew she would love a painting of a fuzzy animal. I have also heard her describe herself as a desert rat so that's what she got.</div>
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I'd love to hear what you think! <div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-76553841769961115652015-01-03T11:11:00.000-06:002015-01-03T11:11:09.577-06:00Favorite photos from 2014My friend, Roberta, at <a href="http://blog.growingwithscience.com/2014/12/bug-of-the-week-favorite-photographs-of-2014/">Growing with Science</a>, has posted her favorite insect photos from 2014! Many bloggers, <a href="http://arizonabeetlesbugsbirdsandmore.blogspot.com/">Arizona: beetles, bugs, birds and more</a>, enjoy posting year end reviews, and I am no exception since starting my blog in 2012. Here are links to previous year's favorite photos- <a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-favorite-photos-of-2012.html">2012</a> &<a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/01/favorite-photos-of-2013.html"> 2013</a> <br />
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This year was a bit different since, I hardly took any photographs of insects! In the past, my camera is pointed at lots of the six-legged creatures, but this year in Connecticut the focus was on plants, fungi, amphibians and summer campers. I guess that is what happens when you are in a cooler climate instead of hot Austin. <br />
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Here are my favorite photos from 2014! Happy New Year, Everybody! I hope this is a great one for you all! It's so hard to choose only a few pictures, but here are 14 for you to enjoy. <br />
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<u>Amphibians</u>- very orange wood frog, and a red-back salamander guarding eggs.</div>
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<u>Mushrooms!</u></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9vVb0XYBYQvo70CdJKXtjMMzieds_0AgqBs8-QgywNinRVQv7zO2WCbzWkP8UtwW_u1stV1dY3TnkdXIPGwYg1zB-txo5-I35AehKVrfR5Of4aCJl6vyY7qsPWG3Awn_2HlxKKukdbn3/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9vVb0XYBYQvo70CdJKXtjMMzieds_0AgqBs8-QgywNinRVQv7zO2WCbzWkP8UtwW_u1stV1dY3TnkdXIPGwYg1zB-txo5-I35AehKVrfR5Of4aCJl6vyY7qsPWG3Awn_2HlxKKukdbn3/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tiny brown mushrooms photographed in a way that they look big.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB62ySUo8OvkDx47Jg-emKTjOyu8Rd5P_SBwRRZ4OcPkjjAxUv2EOipMS7sXYLMnTsMr1HirPZh5GouTsdgRhKp8kNe0MKNdyI5DYJlR4_ZQ9fCQsVrxTqghsIAhH7pPpELTamODdGtybX/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB62ySUo8OvkDx47Jg-emKTjOyu8Rd5P_SBwRRZ4OcPkjjAxUv2EOipMS7sXYLMnTsMr1HirPZh5GouTsdgRhKp8kNe0MKNdyI5DYJlR4_ZQ9fCQsVrxTqghsIAhH7pPpELTamODdGtybX/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A sunset colored amanita mushroom<br />with the tiny brown mushrooms to the left </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3d6tWjuTZDyTF4H-1AkhC1PPV2zIo6BsWdRnw9lSu3DEvkrRuLQHlUYSDEAhArU039lp5wa2tDsL96ts5cdqTCdt7Maw9VDl5ZOxdnL7Ye4RXZfNztpttRoVVhovdkWyhff8YHFSpTtG/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3d6tWjuTZDyTF4H-1AkhC1PPV2zIo6BsWdRnw9lSu3DEvkrRuLQHlUYSDEAhArU039lp5wa2tDsL96ts5cdqTCdt7Maw9VDl5ZOxdnL7Ye4RXZfNztpttRoVVhovdkWyhff8YHFSpTtG/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The tastiest mushroom found in our yard, chicken-of-the-woods</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRGt5gbrEmmag2b04uDC9IMC1kFFW3fvV1plfLmnj4jhVBZ-9l8kJTc2J6lCJC3AoIXS9yPE5UDkOPSyO6fdyZB2O0oxIexy7f9A-Z0cj0xlx6PlQ78nLWEGF2e9Z48v4RqdQLSi7NL4A/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRGt5gbrEmmag2b04uDC9IMC1kFFW3fvV1plfLmnj4jhVBZ-9l8kJTc2J6lCJC3AoIXS9yPE5UDkOPSyO6fdyZB2O0oxIexy7f9A-Z0cj0xlx6PlQ78nLWEGF2e9Z48v4RqdQLSi7NL4A/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A very New England view with birch tree, mushrooms, and woodpecker holes.</span></td></tr>
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<u>Snow-scapes</u>- I had many more snow pictures from last winter, but I chose these two because I love how the sunset colored the snow and cast long shadows across the white and blue ground.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiBin2kCRVR0qbzcO_Zv2WtSQv5OrjNzbmRRO_Z0W5yU4uqOeduMLiVbPOHZz-OiXGrH0hFLcSiAxung-gQDiChCMUDhkLkIWTqvSqZtr8WParkSRznewiy0Qpmcq68wSf91ZhhYOPMXI/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiBin2kCRVR0qbzcO_Zv2WtSQv5OrjNzbmRRO_Z0W5yU4uqOeduMLiVbPOHZz-OiXGrH0hFLcSiAxung-gQDiChCMUDhkLkIWTqvSqZtr8WParkSRznewiy0Qpmcq68wSf91ZhhYOPMXI/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaALqoBuVwuxYvx1m76savuZ6rXrYIDOhsAK_XH7EXVHI7UmRkicjFzBvQHLatpGQQIQY2V-d68-SwRXkfrPz3UaN1d-LOkhCxYvhY3JuVu94Hs9OVOJvTqa6f1Bzo14fM7Pc144grYJf/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaALqoBuVwuxYvx1m76savuZ6rXrYIDOhsAK_XH7EXVHI7UmRkicjFzBvQHLatpGQQIQY2V-d68-SwRXkfrPz3UaN1d-LOkhCxYvhY3JuVu94Hs9OVOJvTqa6f1Bzo14fM7Pc144grYJf/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<u>Plants!</u></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfIKuVR9pLIAuLVF7pVJVld95TfHW39gFJlZGTslbqpr3FHnyqxasp-opMal68JNEMIqg9KYY1tSJwUyhifZcbgPLU0qcPv6sm6_sjmV3IAEDSd0-f97RGsm7_uHsbKG5-L2HrFK-7Oeb/s1600/PB117009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfIKuVR9pLIAuLVF7pVJVld95TfHW39gFJlZGTslbqpr3FHnyqxasp-opMal68JNEMIqg9KYY1tSJwUyhifZcbgPLU0qcPv6sm6_sjmV3IAEDSd0-f97RGsm7_uHsbKG5-L2HrFK-7Oeb/s1600/PB117009.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Oak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWwaBi-C_HT1b1xLl4WZAkjaeWOizDr-m29tAUg8LouW7opdTBTmzpGpwLAyifmTSvb3I-Iun8kWHCiFQEjrNGauF9YqG17L3KZ-COI2dve4Y0yfLYeACdtznZ3K2r-T6L8vX3532WJ8L/s1600/P5046718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWwaBi-C_HT1b1xLl4WZAkjaeWOizDr-m29tAUg8LouW7opdTBTmzpGpwLAyifmTSvb3I-Iun8kWHCiFQEjrNGauF9YqG17L3KZ-COI2dve4Y0yfLYeACdtznZ3K2r-T6L8vX3532WJ8L/s1600/P5046718.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring Ferns</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3u9ZUYMzxep9LW5ODri9iPl2Az8QIefL6IvU_8Y3aY4lTQpJdZAxoR_-sRIOcPtSVp-yS-vlv70StFPtoRPUQknS0iDsX44Vy7XtgHmWFNMEpmb-Dbv07zDoOSgK60Bw6QXhnAlAChvJ/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3u9ZUYMzxep9LW5ODri9iPl2Az8QIefL6IvU_8Y3aY4lTQpJdZAxoR_-sRIOcPtSVp-yS-vlv70StFPtoRPUQknS0iDsX44Vy7XtgHmWFNMEpmb-Dbv07zDoOSgK60Bw6QXhnAlAChvJ/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trout Lily</td></tr>
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<u>A few more favorites!</u></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6Oqrcj6i1OQJC1ZfvdS7yPUziDhoWASict6w74PJeMGbC2CQoBGC0Yg4lNSZsmcCeRvtqoXrcDQbz5E4-YfZYghP5Du5bxYEk2VWGS44wuZGUgiS8qn9mfkiidWTYSYnUWt7ns8_sKsP/s1600/PB086982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6Oqrcj6i1OQJC1ZfvdS7yPUziDhoWASict6w74PJeMGbC2CQoBGC0Yg4lNSZsmcCeRvtqoXrcDQbz5E4-YfZYghP5Du5bxYEk2VWGS44wuZGUgiS8qn9mfkiidWTYSYnUWt7ns8_sKsP/s1600/PB086982.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob at the coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7QYyyWxtKWo3XXWttbm1UTeY3UKxE-Eqbx1xW5InT3cuXCaPEV-X5WMrYKfl_AGaukW_HZd4KnPwPAdAEwHYxcJp635jfTmAKma0-NMo9vOCU_gySkgqI0npiAgdldaR3QRtYDVDbrGr/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7QYyyWxtKWo3XXWttbm1UTeY3UKxE-Eqbx1xW5InT3cuXCaPEV-X5WMrYKfl_AGaukW_HZd4KnPwPAdAEwHYxcJp635jfTmAKma0-NMo9vOCU_gySkgqI0npiAgdldaR3QRtYDVDbrGr/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer campers with Secret Oak, I love this picture. <br />The kids lined up on the tree as you see them. <br />This group was the first and most challenging of the entire summer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxFs2B5uBQ0xt0samPx5pNjWgCYQTa3mO7V9uFLzYVDSLdapX5NFh1D7QRzt81cMGWpwcCDOYxwqVmeajio7ZjOtfgzc1ZG0I2MmiCuf9X3IbUaw9w6zGbtVLtUEKE_Iw1dGlTsEzgdoL/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxFs2B5uBQ0xt0samPx5pNjWgCYQTa3mO7V9uFLzYVDSLdapX5NFh1D7QRzt81cMGWpwcCDOYxwqVmeajio7ZjOtfgzc1ZG0I2MmiCuf9X3IbUaw9w6zGbtVLtUEKE_Iw1dGlTsEzgdoL/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the colors and action in this picture. <br />Cici's jumped into several of my pictures this year. <br />She is much more photogenic than my other two dogs.</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-45658889544264076582014-12-29T14:42:00.001-06:002014-12-29T14:42:38.979-06:00Landing in a good spot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6_Mj-24Vzbvs5eDkfEoPfGDe-qZODCIGtob0v8lEIqVycER3kjHn2q7kOlLhsa1p_-qXb-hc4Y36auV2iFC98bQr6V5UnAJVC6588kNkIvHpHmMRjmlkqCiExZYawN2zemmKrAMpM1-P/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6_Mj-24Vzbvs5eDkfEoPfGDe-qZODCIGtob0v8lEIqVycER3kjHn2q7kOlLhsa1p_-qXb-hc4Y36auV2iFC98bQr6V5UnAJVC6588kNkIvHpHmMRjmlkqCiExZYawN2zemmKrAMpM1-P/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" height="220" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenandoah River State Park, Wildcat Ledge Trail overlooking the River (photo by Jacob Malcom)</td></tr>
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We've made the move from northeastern Connecticut to Front Royal, Virginia. There are many natural features that make this area appealing to naturalists like Jacob and me. We have the Blue Ridge Mountains, with the Appalachian Trail passing through, and the Shenandoah River in our neighborhood. The Skyline Drive of Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, Shenandoah River State Park, and more state and local parks offer thousands of acres accessible to the public. Jacob and I learned how much we appreciate large areas of public lands like National Forests when we lived in Austin TX. From Austin, it takes over 4 hours to drive to a National Forest, and the State Parks, while very nice, were few and relatively small for the number of people who use them. After unpacking and Christmas festivities, Jacob and I have been out hiking everyday at Shenandoah River State Park, and Elizabeth Furnace in the George Washington Forest. (More on these outings soon.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4DGr7KnAPJxpqmRfspGxM51hjUepxiYh3vbQKCdnh2u1BIdnewXXSnTaXZDfNVuooPQ3CGcEiZpJx6QbVhHLnDkPUPEARu0kyjcd6uEnJ8WwSndCbWVGpr9URks2smX1-lFrrC6flWaZ/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4DGr7KnAPJxpqmRfspGxM51hjUepxiYh3vbQKCdnh2u1BIdnewXXSnTaXZDfNVuooPQ3CGcEiZpJx6QbVhHLnDkPUPEARu0kyjcd6uEnJ8WwSndCbWVGpr9URks2smX1-lFrrC6flWaZ/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenandoah River State Park, Shenandoah River along Bluebell Trail (photo by Jacob Malcom)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLLXxCYAfiNscq6xFn4cG8VD6t_RaN7HNxq1ro6I__KEX6V2ikGz5jOEH4JX3WWBXLF0TmcozTUiqIeiWd597-Ua5ETEcYvxh0oYpNlhPujvOdC5VNIEkEOiakIE2ZV8pYsgdTMJQcdli/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLLXxCYAfiNscq6xFn4cG8VD6t_RaN7HNxq1ro6I__KEX6V2ikGz5jOEH4JX3WWBXLF0TmcozTUiqIeiWd597-Ua5ETEcYvxh0oYpNlhPujvOdC5VNIEkEOiakIE2ZV8pYsgdTMJQcdli/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" height="400" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenandoah River State Park, Sycamore Tree (photo by Jacob Malcom)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmr_p97IJaRx-HfS2-ZTQL0gJFMlZQejA4tftA3RLwJF1JCxIBGAlF8i7THKjXs6FZLFcegBIxy_ko82JEZwywX1DUJwvR4Pm3LGkrLiGaRRNYurF1rIYa5upBNjmVu0mkUZr-Lt4OKi8K/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmr_p97IJaRx-HfS2-ZTQL0gJFMlZQejA4tftA3RLwJF1JCxIBGAlF8i7THKjXs6FZLFcegBIxy_ko82JEZwywX1DUJwvR4Pm3LGkrLiGaRRNYurF1rIYa5upBNjmVu0mkUZr-Lt4OKi8K/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" height="176" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenandoah River State Park, Shenandoah River along Bluebell Trail (photo by Jacob Malcom)</td></tr>
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However, the spot that we are enjoying the most is the ten acres where we are living. Jacob's parents moved to the property more than 35 years ago, and Jacob's dad is a fantastic gardener and naturalist. The ten acres have many great trees, a stream, pond, old orchard field, and the gardens filled with both natives, and exotic plant species. The wildlife abound in the shrubbery and varied habitats with numerous birds, chipmunk, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, deer, and in the Summer the bird feeders are often visited by black bears! Ansel's garden are a testament to getting rid of boring lawns, and growing wildlife habitat. Click <a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2013/10/great-gardens.html">here</a> to check out a post I did a little over a year ago about Ansel's Garden. We are very happy to be calling Virginia home with both Ansel and Mary Carol. I'm sure there will be lots of fun nature oriented things to blog about. <br />
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I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-60971079505965689842014-12-11T13:47:00.002-06:002014-12-11T13:58:16.928-06:00Goodbye to friendsYesterday, the dogs and I went out in a cool drizzle. Two days ago, it was pouring cats and dogs, and we were indoor all day so we needed to get out. We went out to one of my favorite spots, a pine groove that has a vernal pool. It was a very nice walk with the rain making music on the newly filled pool. The drips were falling in big drops off the trees and it actually sounded like a bird or frog chirping. I stood for a few minutes trying to figure out what was making the sound and then several more enjoying them. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6e9v0Ri7O57kwNXyiz6IimN_jKpkox-bkFlb6QotUz0_I7h7NZ0rmvaZmACodiR_HlkITRBDl0tYqafVRwT21lhaq_-gfaZMLzHvMHfo7YmfDQeWwmK0lgqQFNf8jKRYHyt4a4Cv3Q4T/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6e9v0Ri7O57kwNXyiz6IimN_jKpkox-bkFlb6QotUz0_I7h7NZ0rmvaZmACodiR_HlkITRBDl0tYqafVRwT21lhaq_-gfaZMLzHvMHfo7YmfDQeWwmK0lgqQFNf8jKRYHyt4a4Cv3Q4T/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find Cici? That's how big the tree was!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqflftGIZARcyrI99aF3dF6sAihV9AC8h6VNh0y3MOWJTlgz3ykjN9y-p1idiQ2dE-QYAjylWAWmYXDnHVEZcTePHYnSE7ZeMFqFb1-PfXS-hg5ExMtOQY2tdOQHAzN3_q7usN3orVpTm/s1600/IMG_1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqflftGIZARcyrI99aF3dF6sAihV9AC8h6VNh0y3MOWJTlgz3ykjN9y-p1idiQ2dE-QYAjylWAWmYXDnHVEZcTePHYnSE7ZeMFqFb1-PfXS-hg5ExMtOQY2tdOQHAzN3_q7usN3orVpTm/s1600/IMG_1349.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>On the way home, I found that one of my landmarks, an old oak, was down! I don't know when exactly the giant fell, but it was within the last month. It wasn't cut, but looks like it finally lost it's balance as one side was rotten and it had already lost a tree sized limb some time ago. I have often used that limb as a park bench in my woodland walkabouts. The tree smashed several smaller trees, one a fairly large birch. I think the white oak was at least 60 ft tall and 4 ft in diameter. It would have been incredible to see the impact of its fall. I think it is interesting to see the natural death of this 200+ year old tree. Many trees do not reach such size and age, but succumb to insects, fungus blights, animals foraging, and the chainsaw. I feel thankful to have been able to see the end of the long life cycle of the tree. Not that I wanted the tree to fall, but that I got to see acorns, seedlings, small trees, mature specimens, and the end of such a wonderful type of tree, the White Oak. The White Oak is Connecticut's state tree and a principle species in the New England woodlands, and this one was my woodland friend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcMGEBmyGhsOm2C73KTp1yWfZR1urZSX4-p2dSo_SfIchRw9ifUsZ_1U6dIy-iXWrMBa0dSWZtYhPMi7IZKI7kYviLFXJeohyYMYPl9VAAOTBdKAjsV90dGUWG_zbrRn764764wlV4ZWE/s1600/photo+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcMGEBmyGhsOm2C73KTp1yWfZR1urZSX4-p2dSo_SfIchRw9ifUsZ_1U6dIy-iXWrMBa0dSWZtYhPMi7IZKI7kYviLFXJeohyYMYPl9VAAOTBdKAjsV90dGUWG_zbrRn764764wlV4ZWE/s1600/photo+(10).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree standing with branch down in front last winter<br />
(I know its not the best photo, I did say I have a hard time<br />
photographing trees just a few posts ago.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pjtqTUuK87JyoTHH3Mjnt7r4agfJM-Gkfkvu16ad2QCGSOm6m_rbmFt3lV0UGRCjrTsukjIj9NjVHP4MjK8gXzuSGEnH9AI5TNx8mXpI5-dUB01q5T7oQbpN-wJN7nz4g7ohFYH3EYot/s1600/photo+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pjtqTUuK87JyoTHH3Mjnt7r4agfJM-Gkfkvu16ad2QCGSOm6m_rbmFt3lV0UGRCjrTsukjIj9NjVHP4MjK8gXzuSGEnH9AI5TNx8mXpI5-dUB01q5T7oQbpN-wJN7nz4g7ohFYH3EYot/s1600/photo+(12).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cici and Silly on the limb last winter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnccFVU2nufs-ZDn7pPKrIGzN-LdepzNE85l1t_Vg4ja_U1CcHNI8kygzpRI3g7x_QEukND4c6l5s0QCfZpszDxMMej0BKGINnWA2E3Wii-jovBV3S3X8uBMv4bkLe5EKm68xebR3CEsg/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnccFVU2nufs-ZDn7pPKrIGzN-LdepzNE85l1t_Vg4ja_U1CcHNI8kygzpRI3g7x_QEukND4c6l5s0QCfZpszDxMMej0BKGINnWA2E3Wii-jovBV3S3X8uBMv4bkLe5EKm68xebR3CEsg/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trunk of the downed tree. <br />
Where's the dog this time.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEIQ64ZIjbFNCMQL91V58831NkEmooIYF-kKR__6RO5ac7LNgB7612Y-MqxdLyVwS3Z9-wqmCWWV_RuJKUxpYI9ro2Of2zA-rKxt6F82hgzhLJRRTDk76vXiIxTGylp4ZKKDSbZdejSua/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEIQ64ZIjbFNCMQL91V58831NkEmooIYF-kKR__6RO5ac7LNgB7612Y-MqxdLyVwS3Z9-wqmCWWV_RuJKUxpYI9ro2Of2zA-rKxt6F82hgzhLJRRTDk76vXiIxTGylp4ZKKDSbZdejSua/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>It is also interesting that my discovery of the tree's end coincides with mine and Jacob's last week in New England. We are moving down to Virginia where we will live with family for a time as we figure out where to go from there. We have enjoyed living in the woodlands of eastern Connecticut, but Jacob has learned that academia is not the career route that he wants. So one chapter ends, another opens, and I am excited to see what fun (without the stress of academics) comes our way. I will continue to blog about nature, environmental education, art, and other fun things that come my way. <br />
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As we head down south, we are thankful for the past year in New England with it's seasons, creatures great and small, and of course the trees! I am thankful for the Connecticut Audubon with Sarah, Mrs Fish, Paula, Patty, and all the kids who I got to play -I mean work- with. I am thankful for Mr. and Mrs. Bolduc our friends and landlords and the home we enjoyed. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Russ, and Mr. Church for allowing me to explore their properties. I am thankful for everyone at Chaplin Elementary who were very kind as I substitute taught through much of the year. Thanks to Emma and Goodwin Friends at Goodwin State Forest for letting me teach some programs before finding regular work at Connecticut Audubon. Thank you for a wonderful year, and if you're down in Virginia, give me a shout!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iTRewLSrOVNDDYS8c05tzq4VajMFCgf-Hbzj7Hki1vjjE6By2shGYOPt1s9gL_aIiD-PKB0lTntpOdyjiIduAb2sXcyUvHlucK2D5YYc-F_i632qFGH9NieMQjE3MqzJEbWVc2HEuymi/s1600/PA136258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iTRewLSrOVNDDYS8c05tzq4VajMFCgf-Hbzj7Hki1vjjE6By2shGYOPt1s9gL_aIiD-PKB0lTntpOdyjiIduAb2sXcyUvHlucK2D5YYc-F_i632qFGH9NieMQjE3MqzJEbWVc2HEuymi/s1600/PA136258.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiRByzo4EJmAAW3Ge3OjZMOK4LuwURYdJTCpFxF-mm0_sf44PZsU1liXr73wFnNsufmg7_OcpJDqImq_hXS1cWlBeS8JvByJvmK9LSFv-mBTLRQPbQCJfakEClpNvql0I5qEtskBMxVs0/s1600/PA136251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiRByzo4EJmAAW3Ge3OjZMOK4LuwURYdJTCpFxF-mm0_sf44PZsU1liXr73wFnNsufmg7_OcpJDqImq_hXS1cWlBeS8JvByJvmK9LSFv-mBTLRQPbQCJfakEClpNvql0I5qEtskBMxVs0/s1600/PA136251.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-40906354485522586452014-12-01T15:29:00.000-06:002014-12-11T14:29:56.034-06:00A Fisher in the early morning snow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGU4nbxq6cVBS1I1pWUqD82Nx_r271JWc1DVb0cpbr6oZ7SWhLycSB4lWx8PyrWM51sHijQajTWcVxxksgDlTxyfB6lPqPhTF0L3f_HVn_U6aMi9teagTOP7nlRh70AW5WLtzniXmI3lD/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGU4nbxq6cVBS1I1pWUqD82Nx_r271JWc1DVb0cpbr6oZ7SWhLycSB4lWx8PyrWM51sHijQajTWcVxxksgDlTxyfB6lPqPhTF0L3f_HVn_U6aMi9teagTOP7nlRh70AW5WLtzniXmI3lD/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fisher tracks in snow</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AOcHdVcaRW5mKg0f7HoTEbjiAlTM6X1i5KYUam2Lqad-jq4id2WAjPrRosCN2UCmgy2HZ5A4ja8IE1KKxF6gMPHk04Xv-hK4B67UNi6lrMCS8Lk3imlX6srv7SasF4B87uQjzNZqRvuC/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AOcHdVcaRW5mKg0f7HoTEbjiAlTM6X1i5KYUam2Lqad-jq4id2WAjPrRosCN2UCmgy2HZ5A4ja8IE1KKxF6gMPHk04Xv-hK4B67UNi6lrMCS8Lk3imlX6srv7SasF4B87uQjzNZqRvuC/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is a good example of an unusual pattern that fishers<br />leave behind. 1,2,3,4 skip 1,2,3,4 skip They can also make<br />a bounding pattern where all the tracks land together.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The day after Thanksgiving, I found signs of a exciting nighttime visitor, a fisher. As I walked out back I found a trail from an animal with tracks that were as big as the tracks of my 45lb dog. However, these tracks were not a dog's they wider and shorter than a typical dog track. The tracks meandered all around circling trees, leaving a squiggly trail. I saw where the fisher must have jumped to catch something, or just rolled around in the snow. I confirmed my suspicions by looking up fisher tracks on the internet. Fishers have 5 toes instead of 4 toes like a dog or cat. Since they are long and short-legged, aka weasel shaped, they have different gates than a typical dog. I saw both these traits in the set of prints left in snow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fishers are one of the larger members of weasel or Mustelidae family, and is about the length of a red fox. Connecticut is home to several Mustelidae including from smallest to largest: ermine, long tailed weasel, american mink, fisher, and northern river otter. As you've probably noticed this mammal family has many members that are famous for thick fine fur needed for survival in cold northern winters. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ_bhirZam_3I0wcxcz7j0oBbMG6huCvEUbaVOAx7MegRyEnynzS1Id_mVsFF1RRuOxtZrUDUeonasBLPCoYOM-V5GSK_xABQRBiKHeNmBDgMeGAopeHGM_VLXDLAvax4zRB8FV4f3-T9/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ_bhirZam_3I0wcxcz7j0oBbMG6huCvEUbaVOAx7MegRyEnynzS1Id_mVsFF1RRuOxtZrUDUeonasBLPCoYOM-V5GSK_xABQRBiKHeNmBDgMeGAopeHGM_VLXDLAvax4zRB8FV4f3-T9/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fisher tracks going up the photo, dog tracks going horizontal. <br />See how wide and short the fisher tracks <br />are compared to the round dog tracks. <br />The dogs also have 4 large toes and the fisher has 5 small toes. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Fisher-face-snow_-_West_Virginia_-_ForestWander.jpg/1920px-Fisher-face-snow_-_West_Virginia_-_ForestWander.jpg" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="mw-mmv-author" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #555555; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.480001449585px; text-align: start;">A fisher in snow, cute isn't it, but not if you are a chicken, or a squirrel.<br /><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:ForestWander" style="background: none; color: #0b0080;" title="User:ForestWander">ForestWander</a></span><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #555555; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.480001449585px; text-align: start;"> - </span><span class="mw-mmv-source" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #555555; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.480001449585px; text-align: start;"><a class="external free" href="http://www.forestwander.com/2011/01/fisher-face-snow/" rel="nofollow" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">http://www.forestwander.com/2011/01/fisher-face-snow/</a> CC-BY-SA</span></td></tr>
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Fishers, also called fisher cats, are oddly named because of all the things they eat, fish is not one of them. I'm told fishers eat a lot of squirrels since they can climb trees with retractable cat-claws. Fishers, once very rare, have come back to Connecticut as the state's forests have regrown as farming has decreased. The other day I saw something that I wanted to turn into a fisher, but chalked it up to just a house cat. But it seemed long, bounded just a little oddly, and made me pause. Perhaps, it was after all a fisher. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I want to believe it was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Another fun note:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I contributed this week's mystery seed challenge to Growing with Science. I follow Roberta's Blog with her weekly seed and insect challenges, children's science and nature book reviews, and other enjoyable posts. If you'd like to make a guess at the mystery seed check out <a href="http://blog.growingwithscience.com/2014/12/mystery-seed-of-the-week-228/">Growing with Science</a>.</span><br />
(here is the <a href="http://blog.growingwithscience.com/2014/12/seed-of-the-week-american-chestnut/">answer</a> to the mystery seed)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Happy belated Thanksgiving everybody!</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-67048042736790529592014-11-24T11:25:00.000-06:002014-11-24T11:25:19.058-06:00Land of Grand Trees!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Connecticut is a land of grand trees! The hardwood forest is tall and thick, strong and bending, and colorful and dark. There are oaks, birch, hickory, maple, pines, hemlock, ash, cottonwood among others, each with their own texture, form, and place. They can be a wall; hiding the lay of the land, make distances greater, and muffle sounds. They can be individual with great presence, keeping the secrets of a centenarian. The trees are so beautiful! I love walking among them, recognizing both species and individuals, quieting my thoughts and just drinking in the peacefulness they offer. <br />
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There are many trees that I admire growing in my neighborhood. The Red Oak above is listed on the <a href="http://oak.conncoll.edu:8080/notabletrees/ViewTreeData.jsp?selected=24001">Notable Trees of Connecticut</a>. It is less than a mile from my house on Juniper Hill Farm. I could see it from the road and even though it was a little weird I asked permission to photograph it. Such an amazing tree. The Red Oak is one of the last to loose it's leaves. The top picture is in November and the bottom in October. Another fantastic Red Oak within 10 miles is the famous <a href="http://oak.conncoll.edu:8080/notabletrees/ViewTreeData.jsp?selected=3001">Ashford Oak</a>. It was the largest Red Oak in the US for years, but sadly it has dropped some of it's limbs and now is in decline. The tree is just off the route 44, which is the oldest hwy between Boston and Hartford and George Washington really could have stopped here! But really the best trees are the ones I can walk to, that are landmarks, friends, and make the area around the house so special. <br />
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A stately Maple in the woods near the house. I've notice the largest trees seem to be the ones that are growing along old stonewalls. That's because in the olden days, the fields would have been cleared for growing crops and only trees along the stonewall would have survived so they are the biggest and oldest.<br />
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I have found photographing trees to be a challenge! It is hard to show what you eyes drink in. A close up picture shows the texture and over arching branches, but loses the height and feels awkward. Far away the tree seems smaller, is shaded the tree's own shadow, or is lost among the trees. To show the texture and size and light and presence makes me admire landscape and nature photographers who succeed. I do admit that I don't practice enough with three dogs towing me along bringing my clunky camera along doesn't always happen. Still the trees are wonderful. I've written a few other posts where trees of Connecticut play a big role and here is one of my favorites, <a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/02/rambles.html">Rambles</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting side note: this is a bearing tree<br />One that can help you get your bearings! <br />In AZ officials place a stake in the ground with longitude and latitude information. <br />In CT, they place it on a large tree, because a stake would soon be lost under leaves and vegetation. </td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-16193584164649384542014-11-20T11:05:00.000-06:002014-11-20T11:05:04.904-06:00Time Travel at Benton Homestead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmlNvUNpouR2hMhMgPkXq-mdUaFUinXoei3THKyp_9oAYtqNa5pLmSgfLmAGfdAV9Wzcaph5vezNUdaYjyMHU7Q2gaM_YH8AdOBISvEUkxFNGFJmiKq7fFvRqlBY57dkJ7PvU2MlfwHRH/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmlNvUNpouR2hMhMgPkXq-mdUaFUinXoei3THKyp_9oAYtqNa5pLmSgfLmAGfdAV9Wzcaph5vezNUdaYjyMHU7Q2gaM_YH8AdOBISvEUkxFNGFJmiKq7fFvRqlBY57dkJ7PvU2MlfwHRH/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the <a href="http://tollandhistorical.org/daniel-benton-homestead/">Benton Homestead</a> (c.1720) in Tolland, CT! This farmhouse was built by Daniel Benton on a 40 acre homestead, and six generations of the family lived in it. The house is now a museum of life in the 1700s. The house was little changed from it's original design, and the paint colors, kitchen hearth, and other portions have been restored by the Tolland Historical Society. The house is the oldest remaining building in Tolland which will celebrate it's 300th anniversary next year! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtco8HA5bcjtOYW-3ptEtjlLGVZVKlsTinukQC9Q3U6HumMjlwcCALPYkwQaa0VubG3CuGOuCIOt6fOPWWnmLTN8UkZQZx6XShT3g50q96nyBy165jr7hoykpInekRU90RwoUuwIayoSjf/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtco8HA5bcjtOYW-3ptEtjlLGVZVKlsTinukQC9Q3U6HumMjlwcCALPYkwQaa0VubG3CuGOuCIOt6fOPWWnmLTN8UkZQZx6XShT3g50q96nyBy165jr7hoykpInekRU90RwoUuwIayoSjf/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I was invited to help out during a school field trip by my friend Felicia who is a member of the Tolland Historical Society and fellow Audubon program teacher. I jumped at the chance to assist and learn more about Colonial life. Growing up in Arizona did not afford many opportunities to experience Colonial history in such a hands on, and real way. Plus, I got to dress up in fun costumes! </div>
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Touring the house we presented what life would have been life for children growing up during the 1700s. We talked about the chores boys and girls would have had, and what they would have been learning. The kids learned that life was full of hard work necessary to have the food, clothing, and warmth to survive. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1STubNmKIq49waL5a51IKXz2KAj_Oi6dD55MXOP-0qDjKwU3i1ugC57ovnsr8d7GMcjcQJPPop32ruaKvOjrXEdWZBXgv3375QA1X9DRgs_wFZ2kWpuglN0vHyqEFYTtZNoDknLSFV5y-/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1STubNmKIq49waL5a51IKXz2KAj_Oi6dD55MXOP-0qDjKwU3i1ugC57ovnsr8d7GMcjcQJPPop32ruaKvOjrXEdWZBXgv3375QA1X9DRgs_wFZ2kWpuglN0vHyqEFYTtZNoDknLSFV5y-/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Our first stop on our tour was the well, here each student got to try carrying two buckets of water using a yolk. The kids learned that boys would be responsible for bringing inside about 15 gallons of water each day, plus many, many trips of firewood before they headed to the fields to tend animals, crops, chop firewood, or build those famous New England stonewalls. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spinning wheel for making wool string.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each room had a fire place, but the house would<br />have still be very cold compared to today's standards. <br />Fibers on the table in different stages of processing.<br /></td></tr>
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We also toured the kitchen, parlor, the in-law addition called the Ell, the cellar, and the kitchen garden. In each space the kids got to learn how things were different and the same, and how the rooms and places were used. In the kitchen the kids got to see how different things were without electricity. They learned that the parlor was an adults only space, the cellar was used as a jail during the revolutionary war, and the Ell was built over the old well with a trapdoor for indoor plumbing! </div>
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The kids and I learned lots about colonial times, had a fun time, and were all thankful to be living with modern conveniences! </div>
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The Kitchen</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail, the director of the museum, prepares the kitchen for students.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wash bin on the left was used for cleaning everything.<br />dishes, clothes, and a bathtub<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail in the kitchen with a beautiful cape. <br />She has a very authentic costume.</td></tr>
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The parlor- adults only! room. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a reproduction letter from Daniel Benton, colored glasses, and writing desk.</td></tr>
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The Ell</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RVo3Dd_P8L5GNm0LEHNj71y5XFInz1Vk1v0a0MVbxytQ8e7RiW01dJt_Fm_Gw-zMPXLkGwYxwHjBDiD0bEFfFRwRkRISWZwwFilO7UikWYN3OYQh2yKvpZ2Dx_m1e2XDCvj65g7rR7l6/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RVo3Dd_P8L5GNm0LEHNj71y5XFInz1Vk1v0a0MVbxytQ8e7RiW01dJt_Fm_Gw-zMPXLkGwYxwHjBDiD0bEFfFRwRkRISWZwwFilO7UikWYN3OYQh2yKvpZ2Dx_m1e2XDCvj65g7rR7l6/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Felicia in the Ell. The trapdoor to the well is just under the table.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artifacts found under the floor during restoration. The Ell was added on to where the original backdoor was. All the trash thrown out the back was preserved under the floor of the addition. Ceramics, animal bones, pieces of glass, buttons including one from a revolutionary soldiers uniform were found</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4zDALOsKXdcrlKGNo0makE8qzTHKYsAlEU22zmPGhExgE87zClyJI3LTafxujjOgmbJd_PgEZcNpMEo8-huxigw5bfW9WqL1Nqpp_EI5uxUhktn7BEIBs5PRQtaOXVakvnsqKjxF6-RM/s1600/PB137045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4zDALOsKXdcrlKGNo0makE8qzTHKYsAlEU22zmPGhExgE87zClyJI3LTafxujjOgmbJd_PgEZcNpMEo8-huxigw5bfW9WqL1Nqpp_EI5uxUhktn7BEIBs5PRQtaOXVakvnsqKjxF6-RM/s1600/PB137045.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pantry in the Ell</td></tr>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-SaZrPmB9hmU%2FVG4KESZdeiI%2FAAAAAAAAUMw%2F7Bs_M8iQiMM%2Fs1600%2FPB137050.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyP6Q7zWmRgwdAuobbQYfMbZxt51FB6r3sJIKnSyaej_7Y8TcD6_1ZUQUdfMNgIQmYu-q_hKHSg0aQ6bmpECvMSkSUTdf0Fg4YcXSCYLTlEhIQwfBpVm8Pn-FtTbCJpXahBKaoMIdsTANu/s1600/PB137050.JPG" --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-81427272210428458572014-11-14T15:42:00.000-06:002014-11-16T11:33:06.604-06:00Lucky Day part 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vPg4p9hA42Jk1SKis6cYAAVj_bDdXi1ikqjT-Za1ivbzOTmDHl9CC94OFX8huyDVjnnxfhcFyqZNTcJn3-yL40JOsK7Ud41NSi7mLMC_Aejor4oh2srw3B7els3hcKIXCy85j1RNkh6M/s1600/PB086979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vPg4p9hA42Jk1SKis6cYAAVj_bDdXi1ikqjT-Za1ivbzOTmDHl9CC94OFX8huyDVjnnxfhcFyqZNTcJn3-yL40JOsK7Ud41NSi7mLMC_Aejor4oh2srw3B7els3hcKIXCy85j1RNkh6M/s1600/PB086979.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you hear the waves and the breeze blow?</td></tr>
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Last Sunday, Jacob, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I really did see harbor seals on a trip down to the coast to see two lighthouses. The pictures from my <a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2014/11/lucky-day.html">last post</a> were of course poorly photoshoped by me! The seals would pop up for a few moments, disappear again for ten or more minutes, and then reappear in a completely different spot. We saw two at one time, but there could have been more. We think they we hunting some Common Eider ducks that were out in the surf because we saw them surface close to the ducks several times. The main duck that we were watching didn't become a meal while we were there. Here is a photo with a tiny black dot of a Common Eider if I had got a picture of the seals it would have looked something like this. I did, however, search all my photos to see if a seal had photo bombed any of my shots but, alas I did not get <i>that</i> lucky. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find the tiny dot of duck!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-billed Gull</td></tr>
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We also saw a flotilla of Common Loons! I was super excited about this as well, since I've never been in the right place, or lucky enough to spot one before. The ten or more birds were out pretty far from shore, but their unmistakable size and sharp bill shape gave them away. They were handsomely attired in winter coats. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Mary Carol, and Jacob at Point Judith Lighthouse</td></tr>
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The two lighthouses that we visited were in Point Judith, Rhode Island, and Stonington, CT. Point Judith lighthouse is a stone tower built in 1856. The lighthouse is still operational, and the grounds also has a Coast Guard building which has it's own watch tower. The Stonington light house is a beautiful stone building. It looks like a house with a big tower on top. It is now a museum and from outside it looked like the lantern is no longer in the lighthouse tower. Unfortunately, both were closed! but, we still enjoyed beautiful views, warm weather, and seeing seals, loons, and the New England coast. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Carol, Addie, and Jacob</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonington Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNSRndrI2NlfDo8WXPzKD3lf2yi3cd9bVSOFtIqs01UsEVel8z6NfVm0UfRAM78Sksv_mzR3Buw0B1Wi0s-ASA7IC8slAoMYNOYDYYSeD_ditzVqFMnXKpn4uzzRVLp6wmFqYOsZY4tUG/s1600/PB097004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNSRndrI2NlfDo8WXPzKD3lf2yi3cd9bVSOFtIqs01UsEVel8z6NfVm0UfRAM78Sksv_mzR3Buw0B1Wi0s-ASA7IC8slAoMYNOYDYYSeD_ditzVqFMnXKpn4uzzRVLp6wmFqYOsZY4tUG/s1600/PB097004.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Carol and Jacob</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">As, I write this post the weather is much </span><i style="text-align: start;">colder </i><span style="text-align: start;">and Connecticut got its first snow of the season last night. I sure am glad Mary Carol and Addie got to make the trip up when they did. We also had fun touring around Northeast Connecticut, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, and having a bread making lesson. Thanks for visiting!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv44LnvAFYlKlzwun3gtBKvBMSLQ-IZAGX9-kaAVAgQtv0iS3wVu5IU9GnFfQrtbaova0e2r8zy3Eq_qAwwZJ7Y4SyxQiDsMLi_vOHtdqcwxetoCqbEcwFjJjw-8gDknvVgWs5d2296Tp/s1600/PB096999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv44LnvAFYlKlzwun3gtBKvBMSLQ-IZAGX9-kaAVAgQtv0iS3wVu5IU9GnFfQrtbaova0e2r8zy3Eq_qAwwZJ7Y4SyxQiDsMLi_vOHtdqcwxetoCqbEcwFjJjw-8gDknvVgWs5d2296Tp/s1600/PB096999.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a pretty view of the sparkly sea <br />
from Stonington, CT</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-4122869144219167542014-11-11T13:32:00.001-06:002014-11-11T13:41:03.296-06:00Lucky day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Sunday, Jacob, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, went down to the coast and we saw two Harbor Seals. I even got a photo ;) I was so excited to see seals for the first time I let our a little squee! of joy. I'll post more on the trip and better photos soon. Enjoy! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWw-PNGwEe1F2McBS_jhCjeMaR3mMQJs27DllTOpks2ckjlSEWZqIALde5G4BVNOK0Av4EpJCCvVO-c8NQNHADoEw3WXd8sBvI-iAvDvu0BxhscATNzUSFtaiNWH-sSS9DpuB1x2Q-ARA/s1600/sealsilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWw-PNGwEe1F2McBS_jhCjeMaR3mMQJs27DllTOpks2ckjlSEWZqIALde5G4BVNOK0Av4EpJCCvVO-c8NQNHADoEw3WXd8sBvI-iAvDvu0BxhscATNzUSFtaiNWH-sSS9DpuB1x2Q-ARA/s640/sealsilly.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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These photos are in part due to <a href="http://juliezickefoose.blogspot.com/">Julie Zickefoose's</a> over the top challenge for 11/11. I love Julie's blog and read every post.</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-71743649839353651922014-11-07T14:45:00.000-06:002014-12-25T06:42:06.769-06:00A Year on Bolduc LnOne of the interests commonly shared by many naturalists is the marking of the seasons. There are several naturalists who were made famous by their books on this theme. Aldo Leopold's,<i> A Sand County Almanac</i>, and Edwin Way Teale's series <i>The American Seasons </i>are just two examples<i>.</i> I am no exception and a have really enjoyed being in the Northeast this last year. Connecticut has striking changes in the seasons more so than anywhere else I have lived. Jacob and I moved here last year in the middle of fall and now fall is coming to a close again. It has been really fun to see all the seasons come and go and to see the subtle hints that the next season is coming.<br />
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<b>Fall</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Fall comes slowly, </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Smallest hint of orange edges, </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Yellow canopy then forest floor. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Cool evenings </span><span style="text-align: start;">slow bumblebees. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> In full force trees burn bright reds,</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> Grey skeletons bend in breeze.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">More more chilly than warm,</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> A</span> honking flock says goodbye. </div>
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<b>Winter</b></div>
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Where did the sun go?</div>
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Dark days make me wonder.</div>
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Rains turn into snows.</div>
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Storms transform landscape, everything stops.</div>
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Land of structure and shadows</div>
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Hungry birds come to feast on offerings.</div>
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Crystals hang and tracks mark trails.</div>
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<b>Spring</b></div>
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Anticipation, freedom to wonder.</div>
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Dripping ice and snow make mud.</div>
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Spy little bits of life</div>
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A bud, a frond, a leaf, a sprout.</div>
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Awake to feathered flutist.</div>
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Turn soil, insert a seed.</div>
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Breath easy warm air, linger in the sun.</div>
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<b>Summer</b></div>
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Up, up, everything goes,</div>
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Sun, birds, bugs, grass, and weeds.</div>
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Brooks babble, bugs sing, fawns spring,</div>
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Woods active hours long. </div>
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Moist air heavy with heat,</div>
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Seek green canopy, green floor.</div>
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<b>Fall</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Fall comes slowly, </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Smallest hint of orange edges, </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Yellow canopy then forest floor. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Cool evenings </span><span style="text-align: start;">slow bumblebees. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> In full force trees burn bright reds,</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> Grey skeletons bend in breeze.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">More more chilly than warm,</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"> A</span> honking flock says goodbye. </div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-92049724042438393012014-10-31T14:18:00.001-05:002014-10-31T14:18:20.273-05:00Happy Halloween<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Halloween!!!</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this crazy silly hat</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and then I wore it during a nature program yesterday! One of the kids said it looked like a princess witch. I think it's just goofy. I made the hat out of cardboard, and fabric, and put it together with hot glue and staples.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love looking for tree faces and creatures on my walks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found a fun Old Time Radio program to listen to while painting today, and writing this post. The Halloween special included an <span style="background-color: white;">Abbott and Costello</span><span style="background-color: white;"> show, some Suspense radio programs, and War of the Worlds. Its fun to listen to the program that scared so many people when it was first broadcast. You can listen to the old radio program by clicking <a href="https://archive.org/details/OTRsGreatestShows10120141015Halloween">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-53238288322156416832014-10-22T14:16:00.002-05:002014-10-22T14:16:49.331-05:00Walk Don't Run<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhznrE7EzkrnGc5IoeTfIfuTqi7qI5hi87K_e8eZcXFdsdZri3moDjAWlqZFsW6pjhObrscZwubFUI5vAFVBfzuDQlUAj_Ni6J_qSCB750z53wlHHr19XdrXLxld39Gpomz5iJixGCpe6/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhznrE7EzkrnGc5IoeTfIfuTqi7qI5hi87K_e8eZcXFdsdZri3moDjAWlqZFsW6pjhObrscZwubFUI5vAFVBfzuDQlUAj_Ni6J_qSCB750z53wlHHr19XdrXLxld39Gpomz5iJixGCpe6/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" height="222" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pano-view on Bernard Church Joshua's Trust Property</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqGSdqAhVkaUrZiNpNcsgCYK10c31Ej9eZJfo9cn9obL0cSIsi3yscnUAivX2uza1VPo5KXPxieKOYih2d0l6rdE35cPSdXegpuRTmhzEu44cX8dtMZdZsSu9Vu3k43P5eMc0mE_sJXwS/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqGSdqAhVkaUrZiNpNcsgCYK10c31Ej9eZJfo9cn9obL0cSIsi3yscnUAivX2uza1VPo5KXPxieKOYih2d0l6rdE35cPSdXegpuRTmhzEu44cX8dtMZdZsSu9Vu3k43P5eMc0mE_sJXwS/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqGSdqAhVkaUrZiNpNcsgCYK10c31Ej9eZJfo9cn9obL0cSIsi3yscnUAivX2uza1VPo5KXPxieKOYih2d0l6rdE35cPSdXegpuRTmhzEu44cX8dtMZdZsSu9Vu3k43P5eMc0mE_sJXwS/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqGSdqAhVkaUrZiNpNcsgCYK10c31Ej9eZJfo9cn9obL0cSIsi3yscnUAivX2uza1VPo5KXPxieKOYih2d0l6rdE35cPSdXegpuRTmhzEu44cX8dtMZdZsSu9Vu3k43P5eMc0mE_sJXwS/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
My daily routine almost always includes a good walk with the dogs. Our walks average about 2 miles and the dogs don't allow for too much dawdling. I'm so glad to have the dogs make me get out. I enjoy getting out to see plants and animals, feeling my body warm up, and clearing my mind. I'm sure if I didn't have the dogs, I wouldn't get out as often finding some work that needed to be done or being chicken of the weather. As it is, the dogs leap when I reach for their harnesses, and I see their eyes light up to go on patrol for squirrels, smells, and other doggy interests. As fall sets in, I am enjoying our time before winter comes and keeps us cabin bound.<div>
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Since the end of summer camp our walks have ventured farther for two reasons. First, I met and got permission from two kind landowners, Mr. Russ and Mr. Church, to walk in their wooded land. Secondly, during summer camp the dogs' walks were cut short since I didn't have as much energy after being with kids all day. We've been walking about 2 hrs per day, exploring every trail and hill we could find. From our house, the dogs and I can walk in almost 500 acres of undeveloped properties. This includes Connecticut State Forest, some property owned by a gas company, university owned property, and the two properties owned by the gentlemen mentioned above. Our adventures have taken us to the top of Rattlesnake Hill, down to Mount Hope River, and everywhere in between. <div>
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Walking the area gives me a chance to notice daily changes in the woods. It has been such a pleasure to watch the progression of leaves and ground cover change color. The birch were the first to show yellow, then red maple, now the hickory and ash with oaks following close behind. Some of the trees are now bare of leaves, while a few are still showing green. The light under the trees changes too with the fall colors. In summer the understory is green, but now there is a yellowish hue and in winter there is stronger contrast in the shadows since there are few leaves to filter the light. The groundcover, ferns and bushes, are also changing colors. Most of the ferns are yellow or completely brown, and some bushes are dropping their leaves to reveal red berries. <br />
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Now, that deer season has started the dogs and I must stick close to the road and limit our big excursions. We often head out mid-day since deer hunters are more apt to be out at dawn or dusk, and early morning school traffic isn't pleasant since we are on the road. It is hard to restrict our wanderings but there are still lots of things to see along the way including waggy tails.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXm12hT1vBja8dG2mdSkQl3YjIIPWX9Eu13PiGFHCu_-7LdqfV_JLezxmuO4g0ctAmTA-JhnrRK7sqDDQKkAwV1MXBRN3Veoy1ttYIXG5W4wEeRexf2T3Cv8CF_na7lq5yojFQPOG1dLC/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXm12hT1vBja8dG2mdSkQl3YjIIPWX9Eu13PiGFHCu_-7LdqfV_JLezxmuO4g0ctAmTA-JhnrRK7sqDDQKkAwV1MXBRN3Veoy1ttYIXG5W4wEeRexf2T3Cv8CF_na7lq5yojFQPOG1dLC/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And just for fun there's a hobbit home that I found</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-39887078515801867962014-10-09T13:44:00.002-05:002014-10-09T13:44:50.839-05:00Mushrooms to study <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSh0LW2SaNDCggiXTIJjLHBJKS0z5N73IpAURppDixrTfzs9za1ur_cyWp_mOqsbNn1bzRMueQvSvZeSZLfGivJB2BgQRyXI6xjM_wfzHUw9seXu8UQekZBMnz_ci0snMew2_Ye8FJVey/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSh0LW2SaNDCggiXTIJjLHBJKS0z5N73IpAURppDixrTfzs9za1ur_cyWp_mOqsbNn1bzRMueQvSvZeSZLfGivJB2BgQRyXI6xjM_wfzHUw9seXu8UQekZBMnz_ci0snMew2_Ye8FJVey/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my morel. <br />I didn't have to hike for this one since I found right in the driveway!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruyuPJA59MfqeOOBLh0dF9u7krFHI980ilGSH95gpUsuiGsZ-vOixz_yNEgJX4IDDuQkXFbnvy9PhkWy4cjA90ETtgiG75QgHKm7b-_2BdO0vZTWweF15aEb61MmDAMohEQjR2REqAjhn/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruyuPJA59MfqeOOBLh0dF9u7krFHI980ilGSH95gpUsuiGsZ-vOixz_yNEgJX4IDDuQkXFbnvy9PhkWy4cjA90ETtgiG75QgHKm7b-_2BdO0vZTWweF15aEb61MmDAMohEQjR2REqAjhn/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob identified this beautiful <br />mushroom as <i>Amanita caesarea.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking for and trying to identify mushrooms has been a regular activity over the last year. (Check out last fall's post with spore prints and the large mushroom book that I use- <a href="http://inspiredbynaturelife.blogspot.com/2013/11/naturalist-niche.html">Naturalist Niche</a>.) New England's wet climate is rich in mushroom diversity. Unfortunately, I am still a novice when it comes to identifying many of them, but I'm working on it. There are so many small details needed to successfully identify mushroom species, and many types are variable in color, where they grow, and size. However, the challenge and novelty of exploring this group of organisms is definitely worth the effort especially when sometimes you are rewarded with edible species. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The three wild mushrooms that I've found and eaten include several clusters of Chicken of the Woods mushrooms, one morel, and three large black velvet bolete. I found the black velvet bolete, <i style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Tylopilus alboater</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, </span>during a mushroom class. Don't worry Jacob and I are <u>very</u> cautious with wild mushrooms. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SZTPsB8ujc9xogY1-t3pKqSZizqUQBg8yKjBpyezRaceInfANyRasfFBswK46LXfJn0G224Yn0mHQxruYInyM66d3UfTSie7Vsgf9ln8s2229l9hkDe19i0_9VRW0fDelQtNcA_ZeBQi/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SZTPsB8ujc9xogY1-t3pKqSZizqUQBg8yKjBpyezRaceInfANyRasfFBswK46LXfJn0G224Yn0mHQxruYInyM66d3UfTSie7Vsgf9ln8s2229l9hkDe19i0_9VRW0fDelQtNcA_ZeBQi/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken of the Woods growing in our yard!<br />It was tasty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQHvNlYzCcXK5mvhvNjR34aO3uxJs9ZXIuLy8gH6w-yNEO2JVYgFANPeDFjq6PFcVLUeZ0CBNHtnS0K08nTO20aiYh6fMuiSToZgdbEuMwblZ43-kwgF1HTJq9xkUFCIuzTTnyINJxF9W/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQHvNlYzCcXK5mvhvNjR34aO3uxJs9ZXIuLy8gH6w-yNEO2JVYgFANPeDFjq6PFcVLUeZ0CBNHtnS0K08nTO20aiYh6fMuiSToZgdbEuMwblZ43-kwgF1HTJq9xkUFCIuzTTnyINJxF9W/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chick Chicken of the Woods, <br />this one got away as I spotted it while at work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFyb-bEnHXBcybULbkPLxXQ7h-sJ77riNgLaLkyLunhmxXJPWJhgdO_yuQN5TYpMbFeFV2gSEiIG2A1lh9kNgKC3drqgJrRE08YSOJd3UhbePMAZMyRlN6vOeU3Eb9PZeddOLfD6BDCCF/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFyb-bEnHXBcybULbkPLxXQ7h-sJ77riNgLaLkyLunhmxXJPWJhgdO_yuQN5TYpMbFeFV2gSEiIG2A1lh9kNgKC3drqgJrRE08YSOJd3UhbePMAZMyRlN6vOeU3Eb9PZeddOLfD6BDCCF/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A whole flock of Chickens of the Woods </td></tr>
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Without realizing, I have been snapping lots of photos of mushrooms, and have quite a collection on my iphone. The photos look good on my small iphone screen, but on the computer they aren't the best. I hope you enjoy them none-the-less. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtBZpjZPa0fIajN2F6y4BMSixjwNoBlzCtzOUQQ1pVR2OVlqhVPZubaFR0yWKbt-zfkdfOPDvF82riECUcaEEwgjaG4ARM7KlpM-m284pIW2BZmJoV_ettQZArj0Y__pmsCxxVdPAPR3Y/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtBZpjZPa0fIajN2F6y4BMSixjwNoBlzCtzOUQQ1pVR2OVlqhVPZubaFR0yWKbt-zfkdfOPDvF82riECUcaEEwgjaG4ARM7KlpM-m284pIW2BZmJoV_ettQZArj0Y__pmsCxxVdPAPR3Y/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mushroom class teacher said this one is the Old Man of the Woods, a kind of bolete.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boletes have little round holes or tubes instead of gills for spores to fall out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm7PIwWC6PpylJBN51edaVpwOW6tWCET7RotbJDLnP5IJAS6FIYjMiDV7le6Ft_rqc1W1c4U_KguS_ONf69HxLn8Xpchnd0qyqVhurvLlq88_2kfKYjPDhcWwxIDdmJOEHc9DW2RnnvPI/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm7PIwWC6PpylJBN51edaVpwOW6tWCET7RotbJDLnP5IJAS6FIYjMiDV7le6Ft_rqc1W1c4U_KguS_ONf69HxLn8Xpchnd0qyqVhurvLlq88_2kfKYjPDhcWwxIDdmJOEHc9DW2RnnvPI/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Unidentified Bolete</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eQYao323A-vlSCl297XMqMcqCkYEQCE9oChw1TNKiH8eQEiCnLwQjKoaR9ENSwXI9aL54VTyljARSrFDijXF3YJaKhBpeVLZrOP_vC3NmRpIyPXeQBHnGx3lr4BQ6iwMZV1cMM7qwrGr/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eQYao323A-vlSCl297XMqMcqCkYEQCE9oChw1TNKiH8eQEiCnLwQjKoaR9ENSwXI9aL54VTyljARSrFDijXF3YJaKhBpeVLZrOP_vC3NmRpIyPXeQBHnGx3lr4BQ6iwMZV1cMM7qwrGr/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A slimy purple mushroom, <i>Cortinarius idoes</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOg-mBFvxCaePcllsfHP45wfBgEdAEjDtNqFNi8pinXq7GxsyQdfZ89eft0B2PIjF7BwywUGLi2_9qOJOqiZ-KaDPP0reVmSI1GqLI9nbAhLH7skYoyEX4yM-D_aGp3eoa6NDDi0TbnEG/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOg-mBFvxCaePcllsfHP45wfBgEdAEjDtNqFNi8pinXq7GxsyQdfZ89eft0B2PIjF7BwywUGLi2_9qOJOqiZ-KaDPP0reVmSI1GqLI9nbAhLH7skYoyEX4yM-D_aGp3eoa6NDDi0TbnEG/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unidentified mushroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDoqwCZl7RaPOKaxpp0yvW-i7EeAtaRGpQqYKfAeAw8IpRqmQwgJGO5MJWFt7OP1CblmMxaedZngIyfHY7-0gp4K2g8xe_3sB9KorHAu6g0c8bSDFW0IvOAchi-xFpUw75PTgI98neCZj/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDoqwCZl7RaPOKaxpp0yvW-i7EeAtaRGpQqYKfAeAw8IpRqmQwgJGO5MJWFt7OP1CblmMxaedZngIyfHY7-0gp4K2g8xe_3sB9KorHAu6g0c8bSDFW0IvOAchi-xFpUw75PTgI98neCZj/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these plump mushrooms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszvrNWpby4eYSfUT1DpaBjfam7FBbrBmhKJngJoGRMsRZK8xmH5nipeMYmnbigKGfUlu2-ilu1lZ9nZcDJOT4RdBKBAqQcWurox8iF4WT0sgL4LtHXOA4WqQ1soHZfMVnRPa9xPOmhOzO/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszvrNWpby4eYSfUT1DpaBjfam7FBbrBmhKJngJoGRMsRZK8xmH5nipeMYmnbigKGfUlu2-ilu1lZ9nZcDJOT4RdBKBAqQcWurox8iF4WT0sgL4LtHXOA4WqQ1soHZfMVnRPa9xPOmhOzO/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They grow in clusters and look like little woodland gnomes! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHOSv5pg2uiS6sCxgA30umxvAlg5OA_gHH9ozVbQN66lcTZ5GycHWYB4gYFjCCmqieI27Kc3HqNL8HuAV0TJmqiFZx6Q31JGidOD_sxTjmYD8ceb-nTFL6QhWbr3UPX64jD7Xyoyggdj5/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHOSv5pg2uiS6sCxgA30umxvAlg5OA_gHH9ozVbQN66lcTZ5GycHWYB4gYFjCCmqieI27Kc3HqNL8HuAV0TJmqiFZx6Q31JGidOD_sxTjmYD8ceb-nTFL6QhWbr3UPX64jD7Xyoyggdj5/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A soft white polypore (many of the species that grow on wood<br /> and don't have gills are in a type of polypore)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBQgOlaQ-jdIaozr43jHToPxPM7W4ZTlPZPNvVAKn2u5XdSknWgZJP6igJKFnc6e8405ipGPhOoDw-JKQynW2Kn84802z4E9-WDTSGOTB9oRdyJtElwdRWsR1tUXCZO8TzhwzQM54cB9Y/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBQgOlaQ-jdIaozr43jHToPxPM7W4ZTlPZPNvVAKn2u5XdSknWgZJP6igJKFnc6e8405ipGPhOoDw-JKQynW2Kn84802z4E9-WDTSGOTB9oRdyJtElwdRWsR1tUXCZO8TzhwzQM54cB9Y/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Amanita with it's tiny friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmDHiQOb8TEebp4SLO1d1dYLXBn9sN-FwDWrhPhyphenhyphen3QQLM_Ool1N8bvXpk6o2Qk1Qz4tfk_X0hFUGsQYIDKu3D0lEoV1t7OCnnLipCRsvcW9Q-u00KE-KrS1zrkGGt1Tuuia0hTGtk9ZpC/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmDHiQOb8TEebp4SLO1d1dYLXBn9sN-FwDWrhPhyphenhyphen3QQLM_Ool1N8bvXpk6o2Qk1Qz4tfk_X0hFUGsQYIDKu3D0lEoV1t7OCnnLipCRsvcW9Q-u00KE-KrS1zrkGGt1Tuuia0hTGtk9ZpC/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanita's tiny friends up close</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwD1_eZFysBezWTISbHeY-6Sh7OykWPyzOjeAGfUAvfdi-2JWpyYGZ7Yr8fVOfEkTOKtzhVFohI7iw9NMsPFtaaMbj3WFPCqemeeUczjJPd6dPkFvdIcRTJOv5CPad-leNvlaGssfwzSO/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwD1_eZFysBezWTISbHeY-6Sh7OykWPyzOjeAGfUAvfdi-2JWpyYGZ7Yr8fVOfEkTOKtzhVFohI7iw9NMsPFtaaMbj3WFPCqemeeUczjJPd6dPkFvdIcRTJOv5CPad-leNvlaGssfwzSO/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bad photo of a cool coral fungus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK93T2B4yU8sudUWpmGNqESHOi951z35HfYL4qtGTBZq3dvCquWnGWLUtnK0JcOYo7eRNUPAhdZbp5ML9wvqXjeXRwfLtf8A_8cnYjpUjIltVB_sRjruLZ-UVPTJx7iP5inzO0ywYBhSU/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK93T2B4yU8sudUWpmGNqESHOi951z35HfYL4qtGTBZq3dvCquWnGWLUtnK0JcOYo7eRNUPAhdZbp5ML9wvqXjeXRwfLtf8A_8cnYjpUjIltVB_sRjruLZ-UVPTJx7iP5inzO0ywYBhSU/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this one is called a Fawn Mushroom.<br />It may have been edible (I wasn't positive and didn't try it),<br />plus I found it after its expiration date.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF9ituMfRjE-ZLhL0T5-NLNoHlkX4n2D98nGVsi8j0pmbJ2Z0YJvSS-_EZM0VuDCtt_bPBPqHnRvCX6OCq3YrHipmo9YXGl_wHIzezaMhXSHX2lKUeCtZmIMIDmHMBr8Mfn6TfZb5_rPb/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF9ituMfRjE-ZLhL0T5-NLNoHlkX4n2D98nGVsi8j0pmbJ2Z0YJvSS-_EZM0VuDCtt_bPBPqHnRvCX6OCq3YrHipmo9YXGl_wHIzezaMhXSHX2lKUeCtZmIMIDmHMBr8Mfn6TfZb5_rPb/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are many colorful mushrooms in the Russula group. <br />They range from yellow, to red, orange, wine, and white.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdscZu1NhyphenhyphenN7aQ-4fmXJcqeSRl7SKhh0601eTAlHcsgl8rVzW0PE9mJfcZpaxc4QNfXID9iPeX5ghFQvduglhrQ6hO9w4cNJU3Q2_L6-4Cv2BsP7ylmg69OT6IL4iN27AhEG-hr3KhTPZ/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdscZu1NhyphenhyphenN7aQ-4fmXJcqeSRl7SKhh0601eTAlHcsgl8rVzW0PE9mJfcZpaxc4QNfXID9iPeX5ghFQvduglhrQ6hO9w4cNJU3Q2_L6-4Cv2BsP7ylmg69OT6IL4iN27AhEG-hr3KhTPZ/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Russula sp. The slugs and squirrels like it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu0EWqo3MDBWtJtYfsGi5wOKf1bzsLdY1mFdp8frrQSQ2969v19MVgUCUjb73S4z_qhuSyCsVZClfmIVSiWMFti5pRXw81BipfdAxH6rlFUL5bm_zMlzJYdZWxsvxSmazTTzRin0FjUYM/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu0EWqo3MDBWtJtYfsGi5wOKf1bzsLdY1mFdp8frrQSQ2969v19MVgUCUjb73S4z_qhuSyCsVZClfmIVSiWMFti5pRXw81BipfdAxH6rlFUL5bm_zMlzJYdZWxsvxSmazTTzRin0FjUYM/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a photo taken yesterday! <br />Only in New England can you find mushrooms growing out of a<br />Pileated Woodpecker hole in a old rotting Birch Tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxaYKTQ7OkBZlosuz8AOgh0En5kwcr0S4l8IvZiy25F1taMXHGUjSm4KVYiUW3MsbyjoPBeN9Ts4sm5JBc-D1KPoJwsJvbwhxo8N-yWh8tUmrGgfZBTcPNZMhDSyzHvJPANj1AsjPfZek/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxaYKTQ7OkBZlosuz8AOgh0En5kwcr0S4l8IvZiy25F1taMXHGUjSm4KVYiUW3MsbyjoPBeN9Ts4sm5JBc-D1KPoJwsJvbwhxo8N-yWh8tUmrGgfZBTcPNZMhDSyzHvJPANj1AsjPfZek/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I identified a similar mushroom on dead birch earlier this summer as <i>Pholiota squarrosa</i>, Scaly Pholiota.<br />The bad knobs are known as conks, because they are hard woody things that go conk when you throw them on a rock :). Before I learned that they are conks I liked to call them tree noses. </td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-16604118550260158242014-10-07T14:34:00.001-05:002014-10-09T10:11:07.544-05:00Concord VisitOn Saturday, Jacob and I took a trip up to Concord, Massachusetts. Concord is rich in Revolutionary and literary history. It was a central location during the Revolutionary War, and was the home to four famous authors in the mid-nineteenth century: Waldo Ralph Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. There are several museums, parks, and things to do within a small area in and around Concord, but we made three stops on our trip; Walden Pond, the Concord Museum, and the Orchard House.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPU9rLh9EKZGAxe2gH_u-I9VXZiWtwYZqUIwwdTxa4LgsJxKGUlJu6PUR9Cz1PDXndLG9eWmqkwsVD-c2NARXNqQ4CXp8CDmxIJ3jREA8XuxTG1MOX5BaHqgLNA48CH2gz207g8fv_ww7/s1600/PA036946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPU9rLh9EKZGAxe2gH_u-I9VXZiWtwYZqUIwwdTxa4LgsJxKGUlJu6PUR9Cz1PDXndLG9eWmqkwsVD-c2NARXNqQ4CXp8CDmxIJ3jREA8XuxTG1MOX5BaHqgLNA48CH2gz207g8fv_ww7/s1600/PA036946.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob and me in Thoreau's cabin replica</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRzjqMuMtDv49vEfPh8t1lwqBWlErG122cV-T-BRwc9KixhLbhlrtfk6UcUl0iPz5qseXiNYMVCBlqK-wuvyEL0r0eHvVW8ve3INYvyKTRXSj34xiekGEXkue7jxZ4jgkfxcJAmVv2oze/s1600/PA036952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRzjqMuMtDv49vEfPh8t1lwqBWlErG122cV-T-BRwc9KixhLbhlrtfk6UcUl0iPz5qseXiNYMVCBlqK-wuvyEL0r0eHvVW8ve3INYvyKTRXSj34xiekGEXkue7jxZ4jgkfxcJAmVv2oze/s1600/PA036952.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walden Pond</td></tr>
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Our first stop was Walden Pond. We wanted to visit the place that inspired Thoreau to write his famous book about living simply in natural surroundings. The idea of living simply resonates deeply with Jacob and me from a natural resources standpoint and as people who believe in the Quaker principle of simplicity. There was a replica of Thoreau's cabin with furniture, and a nice park ranger to talk to visitors. The pond, today, is far from Thoreau's simple, quiet place of reflection often with crowds of people. It was amusement park in the early 1900's, and today is mostly a giant swimming hole. We lucked out and there were relatively few other visitors since the weather was grey and cool. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-Eo0RUfeGarRwKBR8CPYkUgvIc2SJFmXOBBE0HHQUVInY4E33AOvauO9KEieLLqNivTXZKYDdvPkXqZsCeM7XXGiOV8lRckv6Ls9ZjjShhhwO3_QR0oPfhk8yHIW7m-ZgySj7JhBc8mX/s1600/PA036950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-Eo0RUfeGarRwKBR8CPYkUgvIc2SJFmXOBBE0HHQUVInY4E33AOvauO9KEieLLqNivTXZKYDdvPkXqZsCeM7XXGiOV8lRckv6Ls9ZjjShhhwO3_QR0oPfhk8yHIW7m-ZgySj7JhBc8mX/s1600/PA036950.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Walden Pond<span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh743UoslBvbwvDmVVsIZz2kAKEUrgfajB6GbvpQ55HZjVLmozd4OTNHsogvFx6eOYl-jG0PQuRQCoXBnkeU-jCX0DpFa8nLuwxAHY-eoIy5eLzBLtiZdHWsqY3g7s_-zHZckjMiWTgs3oM/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh743UoslBvbwvDmVVsIZz2kAKEUrgfajB6GbvpQ55HZjVLmozd4OTNHsogvFx6eOYl-jG0PQuRQCoXBnkeU-jCX0DpFa8nLuwxAHY-eoIy5eLzBLtiZdHWsqY3g7s_-zHZckjMiWTgs3oM/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Thoreau's survey equipment</td></tr>
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At the Concord museum, we saw more Thoreau items, Emerson's study, several revolutionary artifacts, and rooms displaying period pieces. It was fun to compare Emerson's study which is luxuriant to Thoreau's simple desk, table, and bed. I was very interested in seeing some of the revolutionary items since I grew up in Arizona I haven't had many chances to see artifacts from the founding of our country. One unexpected exhibit, was a copper model of the Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial was made by a sculptor who lived in Concord. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRIDdR1pj2H0gvTRWKda881FJCCg8bW1J1v9kyjC1VDNlmCx2yPGYg7QqEtm0GF-K-JZ7inq3gnddArfZ-rvVp5P2vkWVmPm51qhZFUpmBZJLQVk3o-rPaPRbE1afZVHYPetGlK6lojKq/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRIDdR1pj2H0gvTRWKda881FJCCg8bW1J1v9kyjC1VDNlmCx2yPGYg7QqEtm0GF-K-JZ7inq3gnddArfZ-rvVp5P2vkWVmPm51qhZFUpmBZJLQVk3o-rPaPRbE1afZVHYPetGlK6lojKq/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Desk from thoreau's cabin. It was the only thing with a lock,<br />
which he regularly used to protect his most important possession, his writing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltDU8Tv8IOgQCLBfLpHyZ92YiXuHmHEIDf9jCI-T3M1evGISWnA2czgT9F1KcRHymuNVXGiv1yuRaBfSpeUKck3ZDgHw-vYNmaqwb8ECLtbYR8sE6EFETgPyJphSq2xlkLiZkqjGO9ntE/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltDU8Tv8IOgQCLBfLpHyZ92YiXuHmHEIDf9jCI-T3M1evGISWnA2czgT9F1KcRHymuNVXGiv1yuRaBfSpeUKck3ZDgHw-vYNmaqwb8ECLtbYR8sE6EFETgPyJphSq2xlkLiZkqjGO9ntE/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerson's Study </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjdCx6vi0rTynDOoBDQLDpPNVCUinXeBbO1ccKJnHxDhr5Bk4J7aXiyWz0s3p73z3KEr4peZUq9h5J1qKY0x4xVdRE1_jef94rXXu6VP-NfbSYyrxwY-aZv3rfMO69JG_y8Sptwsfplvq/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjdCx6vi0rTynDOoBDQLDpPNVCUinXeBbO1ccKJnHxDhr5Bk4J7aXiyWz0s3p73z3KEr4peZUq9h5J1qKY0x4xVdRE1_jef94rXXu6VP-NfbSYyrxwY-aZv3rfMO69JG_y8Sptwsfplvq/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh! A wall of old books!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLFhcB0K34TeeEiNJIqffGijS12wz_AZ4RVB6QkME0LljJYjAsB3iCJ7IXuYQAHzV7V76IlTF6wjFH4xh66ufdQkhtvU6xmA0XBdiuZlwjgTH37zMgqRKpNiIQa3GkiFQTY6-o37tN9EU/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLFhcB0K34TeeEiNJIqffGijS12wz_AZ4RVB6QkME0LljJYjAsB3iCJ7IXuYQAHzV7V76IlTF6wjFH4xh66ufdQkhtvU6xmA0XBdiuZlwjgTH37zMgqRKpNiIQa3GkiFQTY6-o37tN9EU/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite artifact is the thing with all the nails in it right of the shoe. <br />
It's a cracker stamp. Now you know how all those hols get in a cracker!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLprhtqpRNzskzd74DzlOZsU2mpIFxw8z7WCtQ6dm-2UFjesIvUVZAgTtzLaClN5GouB16JzdJEncXMGoWg-cwJZaPj9fejr2f7LWoCOmbXj2Q-el-oDy8LKrnVGa04zNclkafvbZDTkB/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLprhtqpRNzskzd74DzlOZsU2mpIFxw8z7WCtQ6dm-2UFjesIvUVZAgTtzLaClN5GouB16JzdJEncXMGoWg-cwJZaPj9fejr2f7LWoCOmbXj2Q-el-oDy8LKrnVGa04zNclkafvbZDTkB/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchard House, side-door to Mr. Alcott's Study.<br />
They tour people didn't allow photography inside:</td></tr>
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The Orchard House was the adult home of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women. The house is one of the oldest houses in Concord, built in the 1600s. The house was preserved with many Alcott family furnishings, even some of the original wall paper is still up. This is because ever since the <i>Little Women</i> was published, the house has been a tourist destination. May Alcott, Amy in the book, was an artist and the house was filled with her artwork. Our tour was nice with stories, and information about the Alcott family including that Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, and the Alcotts were all friends who were in the same circles. To be a fly on the wall during a dinner party! Unfortunately, the tour was crowded and some rooms were too small for the number of people in the group. But I still enjoyed learning about the Alcott family. My favorite fact that I learned about Louisa May Alcott is that she worked for voting rights of women, and was the first woman to vote in Concord.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFnGiDl5j1GzxKWnvy1NN9DqCaw6U9JwXVQmM8Bv_3GcTWgSOoBhUatSosNAEeQaivul5_131sPapsQ1s50siJ0oq2Zja2xhFnuBfvnitsHUgeWxRwuZTsGHhm-ropLjaaGMt6OqbKaG8/s1600/PA036951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFnGiDl5j1GzxKWnvy1NN9DqCaw6U9JwXVQmM8Bv_3GcTWgSOoBhUatSosNAEeQaivul5_131sPapsQ1s50siJ0oq2Zja2xhFnuBfvnitsHUgeWxRwuZTsGHhm-ropLjaaGMt6OqbKaG8/s1600/PA036951.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">It was a nice rainy grey October day with </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">lots of beautiful fall colors to see during the drive.</span></td></tr>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-m_JwdTnJF-Q%2FVDQ5gpQNdYI%2FAAAAAAAAThI%2FgN6pnISu8fo%2Fs1600%2FPA036952.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRzjqMuMtDv49vEfPh8t1lwqBWlErG122cV-T-BRwc9KixhLbhlrtfk6UcUl0iPz5qseXiNYMVCBlqK-wuvyEL0r0eHvVW8ve3INYvyKTRXSj34xiekGEXkue7jxZ4jgkfxcJAmVv2oze/s1600/PA036952.JPG" --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-22389763983249534062014-09-29T12:28:00.002-05:002014-09-29T12:28:33.046-05:00Woodland FlowersI found this post almost ready to go dated June 6th, but I forgot about it. All these flowers are long gone, but I thought you still might enjoy it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Ud8FySEx0NxlKZH4cDbktxH6FkmKGCrHX5fvxq21-1M8qHlCE09s9rjXfJ2IT3mPyhKvEwLX7QGosZu3sbg_duxBFpzv8cCioBSQTltvR85zAQpW2juZg79QxHdu6iFt7MH67H0m8mt/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3Ud8FySEx0NxlKZH4cDbktxH6FkmKGCrHX5fvxq21-1M8qHlCE09s9rjXfJ2IT3mPyhKvEwLX7QGosZu3sbg_duxBFpzv8cCioBSQTltvR85zAQpW2juZg79QxHdu6iFt7MH67H0m8mt/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack in the Pulpit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH3JzalYiKXs1P9JpeupHwFKBytafF8Xr2rQCD5WMSe7efcNPMV6-1rOqgcZ8v_FvSGPfT14Z7xs-KC3A86YOFuEYn_38j2WH6nsGdEKpw5QGCpflZzth4ThMgcRGG43r0QWnYj1PO4z3/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH3JzalYiKXs1P9JpeupHwFKBytafF8Xr2rQCD5WMSe7efcNPMV6-1rOqgcZ8v_FvSGPfT14Z7xs-KC3A86YOFuEYn_38j2WH6nsGdEKpw5QGCpflZzth4ThMgcRGG43r0QWnYj1PO4z3/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">violets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFdu1J5hWhy7BoS30EeDEgCAZdKm5YtuGLSaXoyZ_O1pFxlRHMtFB0VLyfv3PwPTPzaCBt7kDLibx6WnMgc17w_MwRNlpxNYksK_ccNU3tuJdw7SJBi6jOacb24RHi1CzWtCEMf1Nk_kC/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFdu1J5hWhy7BoS30EeDEgCAZdKm5YtuGLSaXoyZ_O1pFxlRHMtFB0VLyfv3PwPTPzaCBt7kDLibx6WnMgc17w_MwRNlpxNYksK_ccNU3tuJdw7SJBi6jOacb24RHi1CzWtCEMf1Nk_kC/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">daffodil-like flower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6ehbSRqMnG53yTpVC18O8lhd3xqaH6UBK2_H34OJLz5rA_bJP0m91Se8nJqM1TrDtgkom4P_t24pqzjiSDxQvzMdkD0F7xkWugf8jospnMu97P_v2bTt3NcOZJGpFUoyQsSOFf9clb0u/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6ehbSRqMnG53yTpVC18O8lhd3xqaH6UBK2_H34OJLz5rA_bJP0m91Se8nJqM1TrDtgkom4P_t24pqzjiSDxQvzMdkD0F7xkWugf8jospnMu97P_v2bTt3NcOZJGpFUoyQsSOFf9clb0u/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily of the Valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trout Lily</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Anemone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pfD9o6Pe-gUngbsJvdxPDmQHmuM__vtsIRDLjhleIrhN81UXvomCsaglDyUt1aKK90VAP_Z4DRVy2Gfsbknhpdrew1RQnjGWAsOHQFRkm1klEO7whU4UJJTGpYKojYz95ehAxV1-Pxeo/s1600/P5046702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pfD9o6Pe-gUngbsJvdxPDmQHmuM__vtsIRDLjhleIrhN81UXvomCsaglDyUt1aKK90VAP_Z4DRVy2Gfsbknhpdrew1RQnjGWAsOHQFRkm1klEO7whU4UJJTGpYKojYz95ehAxV1-Pxeo/s1600/P5046702.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May apple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2jPaUWYISYfTXMlpRtFAfe5CvFOoDZTNeMbDnx11QG9PNjTXk4aBOuxp43CJgx2RCCBnM6y_oq6-hFz8SHhv64625rgpb1NkghjQCT5idr6YYiHHHHj80Jg8lIqUjNj26fgynNHHZOSa/s1600/P5046712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2jPaUWYISYfTXMlpRtFAfe5CvFOoDZTNeMbDnx11QG9PNjTXk4aBOuxp43CJgx2RCCBnM6y_oq6-hFz8SHhv64625rgpb1NkghjQCT5idr6YYiHHHHj80Jg8lIqUjNj26fgynNHHZOSa/s1600/P5046712.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azure bluets</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvIyUZ8xaBUv_9XgDPwcKRAo_RsPH13RKqXSBGCphgrmFVvPSKta5Hir7MCf6eLkXIQG8EMklcIvrooX1f-gUNYuQ2ysCq4KuJCOpgI241pNOh6XTxnF1lqfwnBiylHtfFqh5tnxglEwI/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvIyUZ8xaBUv_9XgDPwcKRAo_RsPH13RKqXSBGCphgrmFVvPSKta5Hir7MCf6eLkXIQG8EMklcIvrooX1f-gUNYuQ2ysCq4KuJCOpgI241pNOh6XTxnF1lqfwnBiylHtfFqh5tnxglEwI/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-36741650102925369632014-09-29T12:21:00.000-05:002014-09-29T12:21:29.874-05:00Long time no see!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKjc_cXQPOC0Snhr-kqC3DHaUq4lxzMtvL3QkognAvFkqUHzCTLiIm3GDl95EH8fIe2i7w4TIH4i08q2qLzeWybe9f8HyRscHbx0JQ-iaL35p_KebcAMH_06GLYbi0AjBfsY_6xUBX7PJ/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKjc_cXQPOC0Snhr-kqC3DHaUq4lxzMtvL3QkognAvFkqUHzCTLiIm3GDl95EH8fIe2i7w4TIH4i08q2qLzeWybe9f8HyRscHbx0JQ-iaL35p_KebcAMH_06GLYbi0AjBfsY_6xUBX7PJ/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are they saying, "Ahh! Finally a new post!"? </td></tr>
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Hello, It has been quite some time since my last post, and I apologize for the interruption. I hope you all had a great summer. I had little free time this summer between working full-time at Pomfret Audubon Center's summer camp, gardening, hiking with Jacob and the dogs, and other outdoor activities. Since summer camp ended, things have slowed down. But, I am staying busy hiking in the woods near my house, painting, and catching up on things. School field trips have started at the Audubon Center, but since things aren't as nuts I plan to post regularly again. I would love to hear about your summer activities, vacation, camps, hikes, and adventures. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIBidNeO_vJKVPpK2IT4PwD1cyTshB-hxFQ4ruJpPPOqnGnmEeQtYEilsvTiQegkrc2IE3Px8rsWsmgEHdWYDZiaV0xcCPvlodStC1gOVfKM5E76KWaXPGeR8koiOYM9Ifg0k20i70yV2/s1600/P9286881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIBidNeO_vJKVPpK2IT4PwD1cyTshB-hxFQ4ruJpPPOqnGnmEeQtYEilsvTiQegkrc2IE3Px8rsWsmgEHdWYDZiaV0xcCPvlodStC1gOVfKM5E76KWaXPGeR8koiOYM9Ifg0k20i70yV2/s1600/P9286881.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I have so much to share with you from summer camp to the beautiful fall colors we are experiencing. Today, I'm going mix it up and post group camp pictures, and give you a taste of our fall colors. However later, I will devote individual posts to aspects of summer including; camp, summer plants, bugs, and mushrooms. (I just realized that nearly half my phone photos are mushrooms! Finding so many mushrooms is new for me since I grew up in the dry southwest. Plus, there are some species that are edible, but identifying them is a challenge.) I would also like to share more fall photos, paintings, crafts, and a map project I have been working on in future posts. </div>
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Thank you for reading, and hanging in there during my long absence. </div>
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Happy Fall! Enjoy smiling faces and beautiful colors! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrgGyEzqQl_EaUZ5t6MRGCVZrmOVvqmvOOlgbHDvgvk32daI_hjih5PEDlqMH47m-lX8rDRbrtgDBvtnm0ESRwQw7X5ZvxGgd4GwOxM7K56ZFRGePdLlRmG6jOOv5oel_bpK4EQMtpDV4/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrgGyEzqQl_EaUZ5t6MRGCVZrmOVvqmvOOlgbHDvgvk32daI_hjih5PEDlqMH47m-lX8rDRbrtgDBvtnm0ESRwQw7X5ZvxGgd4GwOxM7K56ZFRGePdLlRmG6jOOv5oel_bpK4EQMtpDV4/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out that snapping turtle. What an exciting creature to find!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_-1pmNoTR2QH7mSMdY9USFRHFKK8ijLwyIoaJQ76NGWU7FB_z0MOI1XWMNbIc6ysfesJuYth9Ln3WFr6H1JaM-xJg8ZrCrxtXMCwxn_1fukKLy-toI-i2TpOCRUrDcLgWpwwv5Kt4toT/s1600/P9286855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_-1pmNoTR2QH7mSMdY9USFRHFKK8ijLwyIoaJQ76NGWU7FB_z0MOI1XWMNbIc6ysfesJuYth9Ln3WFr6H1JaM-xJg8ZrCrxtXMCwxn_1fukKLy-toI-i2TpOCRUrDcLgWpwwv5Kt4toT/s1600/P9286855.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonehouse brook, on Mr. Russ's Woods</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQA9eyI4IEuYeyzKfqsok8NiXVKeFBNmD_qyIxaXc9XJKbWfT5ufaLWC3ghR723qUArWjNwYsv4_T5t0pwbpkUffHi0ioggDZzbPMVY5PR9sPkR8ROOzo2dA_vTe2_vmS46_adnf2rjDi/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQA9eyI4IEuYeyzKfqsok8NiXVKeFBNmD_qyIxaXc9XJKbWfT5ufaLWC3ghR723qUArWjNwYsv4_T5t0pwbpkUffHi0ioggDZzbPMVY5PR9sPkR8ROOzo2dA_vTe2_vmS46_adnf2rjDi/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We built a Native American Shelter. As of last week, it's still standing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonehouse brook- red and orange colors are often maple trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pIrCS_mtW2GOSUu5yTBzYMhhngdZ_Wnd7fq_jkjkYkgcoHS26GO2yCgS654_nH6UDJdo0YLVYjkX2E4QRUDpKkxcmR2EvUHFOuYNAjjwDE3hBHFgef-iGwhJwANZjRGJSNfl2iQa6T5B/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pIrCS_mtW2GOSUu5yTBzYMhhngdZ_Wnd7fq_jkjkYkgcoHS26GO2yCgS654_nH6UDJdo0YLVYjkX2E4QRUDpKkxcmR2EvUHFOuYNAjjwDE3hBHFgef-iGwhJwANZjRGJSNfl2iQa6T5B/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice bug collection to study.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J_miW66Ak7PO71DUR9bY2akfTiEP3xc5SEjbqhyAFhXF4Ygk7o-wF-S9dIF9zaABXMbe_9EnxM-pdrh8QTmAj-92r16jnjLEe2mEz5RUmRKcS-rKXqqGP5sd0yxlewzW-kz4VFKMENt5/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J_miW66Ak7PO71DUR9bY2akfTiEP3xc5SEjbqhyAFhXF4Ygk7o-wF-S9dIF9zaABXMbe_9EnxM-pdrh8QTmAj-92r16jnjLEe2mEz5RUmRKcS-rKXqqGP5sd0yxlewzW-kz4VFKMENt5/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bunch of Boys on a Boat! Most weeks we had girls too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r9-PBZQPcy4hOzOndmNWLF7Ql864lfGtsIelZO-CqgkflhZii9mTPl3fXinA7PCQAIcr3_KoPod_Sp4Jw1I6FNEhe3PSCTEOVgR9VSfHbMooIBYl6xVKyX5HxbxVXYMBRPqHM1tX2HFr/s1600/P9286900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9r9-PBZQPcy4hOzOndmNWLF7Ql864lfGtsIelZO-CqgkflhZii9mTPl3fXinA7PCQAIcr3_KoPod_Sp4Jw1I6FNEhe3PSCTEOVgR9VSfHbMooIBYl6xVKyX5HxbxVXYMBRPqHM1tX2HFr/s1600/P9286900.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Chruch's woods- Yellow birch </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU9RVvZO-polxYlZe1GYNtXj0jk4bburgezvUshZMAVouNd9mHVCt2r1KTajGYAe0TpG6-oPUgxZB6n9Ptju3ab-JQJuNDjTs-UF1coN78amCs92UgrxXwAvFs0_uONjN7yvkzi1v7Slt/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU9RVvZO-polxYlZe1GYNtXj0jk4bburgezvUshZMAVouNd9mHVCt2r1KTajGYAe0TpG6-oPUgxZB6n9Ptju3ab-JQJuNDjTs-UF1coN78amCs92UgrxXwAvFs0_uONjN7yvkzi1v7Slt/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My co-workers, Drew and Becca, were almost just as crazy as me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JSsdRCmkbhfZN-WSmouvECmWKK50IfYMn666O-bRiCjKEmRZz-LPUzhg8s918evL7srmcQ8nK5fT5XSoELHhUa8LH_sMkXI4paDx75Wgfe8CoHZ9jkX-DzxH2zYjwVgE6FPCfq5emGRh/s1600/P9276831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JSsdRCmkbhfZN-WSmouvECmWKK50IfYMn666O-bRiCjKEmRZz-LPUzhg8s918evL7srmcQ8nK5fT5XSoELHhUa8LH_sMkXI4paDx75Wgfe8CoHZ9jkX-DzxH2zYjwVgE6FPCfq5emGRh/s1600/P9276831.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning at Pine Acres Lake at Goodwin State Forest. <br />We saw a flock of geese fly over as well as the fall colors.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pIrCS_mtW2GOSUu5yTBzYMhhngdZ_Wnd7fq_jkjkYkgcoHS26GO2yCgS654_nH6UDJdo0YLVYjkX2E4QRUDpKkxcmR2EvUHFOuYNAjjwDE3hBHFgef-iGwhJwANZjRGJSNfl2iQa6T5B/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-616672852841605642014-05-05T10:56:00.000-05:002014-05-05T10:56:57.261-05:00Unroll the Welcome <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth6GT9ZIJYD70VylctLR_uJUmGRmSod69y7dmWD20lGIMuLhnKuGmwIGq1nO_xVZU4iQ0rfCdJPyBbN6NXb7lHe2ptgNif_8fQM4oFQsTl2hqAqlliWIpaOB-T_ETln1mYZHVKMMsp1p1/s1600/P5046718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth6GT9ZIJYD70VylctLR_uJUmGRmSod69y7dmWD20lGIMuLhnKuGmwIGq1nO_xVZU4iQ0rfCdJPyBbN6NXb7lHe2ptgNif_8fQM4oFQsTl2hqAqlliWIpaOB-T_ETln1mYZHVKMMsp1p1/s1600/P5046718.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is a the first of a series of springy pictures from around the house. The next few posts will be light on words, but filled with a sample of the beauties I'm seeing around our home. This series will help me get posts out to you since sitting indoors typing is hard to do when there are blooms, birds, ferns, and other treasures to see. I hope you are also enjoying sweet weather and nature's show.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQFlTBA2C71Nz_I2g7I7CLoVBXx1rB9F3mmYOuKE36HbKRPqg0AdwuwoAaOEVixi-o19IQI4gkHhTH6Q59234lPEFj_BYHHNwn2UUufVtQM-G-70dr2NgBUDsSPofpl_IGExD-xvDF4zL/s1600/P5046735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQFlTBA2C71Nz_I2g7I7CLoVBXx1rB9F3mmYOuKE36HbKRPqg0AdwuwoAaOEVixi-o19IQI4gkHhTH6Q59234lPEFj_BYHHNwn2UUufVtQM-G-70dr2NgBUDsSPofpl_IGExD-xvDF4zL/s1600/P5046735.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>There are a number of different types of ferns unrolling their spring welcome! I have not identified the different species yet. I admit to being too distracted by colorful flowers, and trees. However I do enjoy the beauty of these simple plants, and will give them the attention they deserve. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That pine tree-looking thing is a fern.<br />Jacob has told me several times, but the name will not stick! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love mossy rocks, too! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss with lots of spore capsules on a mossy rainy day </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the Fibonacci spiral of this frond similar to a nautilus shell.</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684921784287901569.post-75036664299824189072014-04-25T14:33:00.000-05:002014-04-25T14:33:46.413-05:00Hello Amphibians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">What's under this rock? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhye4G4ex9TPHlOC-e3El_3TXjxH8QdtMe8ZORStfMoodvCE9iXkQNkG2N3-8Iedw9xTZ1Q6PjGPFsPrNX0JEoqzb8vGcDaXnza0c4ruJOHP7Tw6KbDrw7KgVDvqnYrio24PynGywCKxo72/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhye4G4ex9TPHlOC-e3El_3TXjxH8QdtMe8ZORStfMoodvCE9iXkQNkG2N3-8Iedw9xTZ1Q6PjGPFsPrNX0JEoqzb8vGcDaXnza0c4ruJOHP7Tw6KbDrw7KgVDvqnYrio24PynGywCKxo72/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Not one, not two, but three Red-backed Salamanders! Red-backed salamanders are the most common type of salamander found in our woods. Actually, it's the only kind I've found so far, but there are four or five other species found in our area. Red-backed salamanders come in two color morphs; redbacked and leadbacked, and both colors were under the rock. When I look at the picture below, I was surprised at how much the red stripe looks like a root. It seems like pretty good camouflage after all. They are food for lots of animals so the red is not a true warning color. </div>
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Well, guess what the three salamanders were doing? </div>
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Guarding eggs! These salamanders don't lay their eggs in water, or have a larva stage. Instead, tiny salamanders hatch ready for life on land. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red morph with eggs near her tail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Leadback with a large cluster of eggs.<br />Some of the eggs look a little dried out, too bad!</span></td></tr>
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We are enjoying hearing frog calls from a pool on our neighbor's property. We've heard Wood Frogs and Spring Peepers. I also spotted some egg clusters in the pond. The eggs survived some cool icy nights last week in deeper waters. I found a Peeper last fall, but haven't been that lucky this spring. Peepers are only a few inches long and have great camouflage. I hope to find more amphibians as the spring continues.<br />
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I found this exceptionally orange Wood Frog among the leaves as I was raking the garden. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9i1xiPYHXVR470RLrAUa-FP1d-eJ4h-ToBM0CPVguJbEZ1vZWGagAKvLee_QWkYa7VIuXgB-g2btan7qtDzAPsEMkFT6zAvDWY8hfSf2TjK972QUp8Yu45jQZj2lshDGojDCys2rRBhb/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9i1xiPYHXVR470RLrAUa-FP1d-eJ4h-ToBM0CPVguJbEZ1vZWGagAKvLee_QWkYa7VIuXgB-g2btan7qtDzAPsEMkFT6zAvDWY8hfSf2TjK972QUp8Yu45jQZj2lshDGojDCys2rRBhb/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob getting just the right photo of the orange frog.</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://natureblognetwork.com/"><img src="http://natureblognetwork.com/button.php?u=annamalcom" alt="Nature Blog Network" border="0" /></a></div>anna malcomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08990744478122692474noreply@blogger.com0