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What’s Coming Up? Miscellaneous Spring Developments

Can you identify these? (Answers at the bottom) Answers Up top (1): a Trillium sp. most likely Trillium sessile or Toadshade. (2): This crustacean-esque plant is a species of Rockcress. These belong to the family Cruciferae, like many well known leafy greens. At this stage it looks a lot like some kind of lobster/crayfish/prawn. (3):Continue reading “What’s Coming Up? Miscellaneous Spring Developments”

Recognizing the American Elm in Bloom

The American Elm can be confused with two other species of elm, The Slippery Elm and the Siberian Elm. Luckily, the American Elm can be easily distinguished from these two when it is bloom— as it happens to be right now (in Indiana). So if you’re unsure about a particular tree, now’s the time toContinue reading “Recognizing the American Elm in Bloom”

Monoecious? Dioecious? Understanding Maples in Bloom

First, a quick explanation of the words in the title above: monoecious vs dioecious. Both of these differ from a third type of flower, the “perfect” flower, or bisexual flower which has both pistils and stamens (an example of this are elms, about which, more in another post). So in both monoecious and dioecious flowersContinue reading “Monoecious? Dioecious? Understanding Maples in Bloom”

Walnut Bark at Different Stages of its Lifecycle.

A major obstacle to identifying trees by bark is that the bark can look very different at different stages of the lifecycle. Guidebooks usually show only the bark at full maturity, which can make it difficult to identify younger trees and leaves out a fascinating metamorphosis. Young walnuts closely resemble their relatives, the hickories. ThereContinue reading “Walnut Bark at Different Stages of its Lifecycle.”

Crocus, Snowdrops, and Winter Aconite

A week ago we had ten inches of snow. There’s still some snow left, piled up along the edges of parking lots, but that hasn’t stopped winter blooming species from taking advantage of the suddenly temperate temperatures. Firstly, above, there are the Crocuses. Something I didn’t know about this genus is that the spice saffronContinue reading “Crocus, Snowdrops, and Winter Aconite”

What is Winter Creeper?

Winter creeper, also known as Fortune’s spindle—not because it has anything to do with luck, but because the first European to classify it was named Robert Fortune—is a highly invasive shrub/vine which can smother trees to death. It’s everywhere in my neighborhood. In a totally unscientific way, I’d estimate it has infested 1 in 5Continue reading “What is Winter Creeper?”

“Lessons in Obedience,” reading Helen Keller’s The Story of My Life

Anne Sullivan, Helen’s “Teacher,” describes her initial encounters with Helen thus: As I began to teach her, I was beset by many difficulties. She wouldn’t yield a point without contesting it to the bitter end. I couldn’t coax her or compromise with her. To get her to do the simplest thing, such as combing herContinue reading ““Lessons in Obedience,” reading Helen Keller’s The Story of My Life”

Rounding a Corner

Yesterday I think we rounded a corner on spring. In honor of the winter we are (hopefully?) leaving behind, I’d like to share some photos…and talk about birds. In addition to these photos I’d like to present some audio (the pictures in the video’s below aren’t mine). These are the songs I’ve heard the mostContinue reading “Rounding a Corner”

Why don’t trees freeze? Ice nucleation and winter photos.

Did you know that pure water droplets remain liquid until -37 degrees C (-34 F)1? This is because ice has to form around something, usually dust or tiny particulate matter in the atmosphere2. Trees exploit this fact to avoid internal ice damage during the winter. Trees produce proteins which attract ice formation (called ice nucleators)Continue reading “Why don’t trees freeze? Ice nucleation and winter photos.”

Carbon Footprint of the Mars Mission?

I have to admit I am one of the few people not particularly excited about space exploration. To put my cards on the table, I could care less whether we ever land a person on Mars. Recently on the radio I’ve been hearing about the Perseverance rover and whether or not there has been lifeContinue reading “Carbon Footprint of the Mars Mission?”