The Day After the Storm January 15, 2012
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in winter.3 comments
My sister always loved the day after the storm when the clouds rolled out and the skies were blue and the snow was sparkly. Today was that day. So these pictures are for you, Yvonne!
Sensitive Fern
After the Storm “Blues”
American Beech
It’s Just Me, Jennifer!
Finally! January 14, 2012
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in winter.3 comments
Winter. Finally.
Winter has arrived. Finally. And I have taken full advantage of it. Shoveled my driveway this morning, then drove 35mph on Route 86 to Bemus Point where I took a walk through the snowy woods.
Upon return, there was wood to bring in and the car to un-bury. Next it was on to mom’s to shovel her out (although she had been plowed out in the morning, you couldn’t tell).
Then it was home to process the photos. Beautiful, beautiful day – and it’s still coming down! Hope to enjoy more fun in the snow tomorrow. And the next day. And the next… Until March!
WinterWoman is happy.
Annual New Year’s Day Hike January 2, 2012
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in hiking.5 comments
It has become my tradition to be outside on January 1. This year found me in the company of two old friends and one new friend – only one of whom is two-legged. Old friends Terry (2-legged) and Lolli (4-legged) joined me to introduce Terry’s Puppy (4-legged and still without an Official Name) to the trail at Holt Run in Allegany State Park.
Every dog should have a boy.
Puppy is very curious about everything, especially everything that Lolli is doing or interested in. Lolli likes to carry logs around while hiking. She was not very amused when Puppy kept trying to investigate. The expression on her face said it all.
Seriously. Whose idea was this puppy?
Our drive to the Park and the first few steps into the woods were sunny and warm (relatively speaking for a January 1). The further we walked, the colder it got, the cloudier it got, and then came the rain. It only rained off and on, though, so we continued. At the half-way point, Puppy was exhausted. When we sat down to eat a sandwich, he climbed right up on Terry’s backpack and snoozed. Here he is, just barely awake from his slumbers because I woke him up digging my camera out of my pack.
Why did you wake me? I'm still sleepy.
He went back to sleep after the Photo Opp, so I poked around in the dark woods to see what this new camera (Canon Rebel T2i) could capture in low light. I’m still getting used to it, but I like what I’m seeing. The following slide show contains some pictures I took under very dark skies just before the rain really cut loose!
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Happy New Year, everyone! May 2012 be filled with glorious nature adventures for you and yours.
Boots for Sale December 30, 2011
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in Shameless Advertising.1 comment so far
Boots for Sale!!!
What was I thinking? I never even looked at the tread!
These would be GREAT boots for someone who works in a factory! The non-skid sole and oil-resistant finish would be perfection! They are size 7.5. I wore them one day at work and they were very comfortable. They just don’t have a good enough tread for hiking, which is what I was looking for. If you know someone who can use them, please, pass this along!!
They retail for $156. You can get them for less on-line. I”m willing to take $95 plus shipping.
You can see more info about the boot here:
I got them at an “all sales final” special and can’t return them. Please buy them!
Thanks!
New (to me) Blog December 22, 2011
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in blogs.2 comments
In looking about the internet for inspiration, I ran across a new blog. Here’s a link to the article that hooked me, but I hope you’ll take some time to explore more of Margaret Emerson’s excellent writing:
http://contemplativehiking.com/2010/01/12/6-signs-you’ve-become-disconnected-from-nature/
The Perfect Nature Center November 15, 2011
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in nature centers.2 comments
Hello, Dear Readers. Would you do me a favor?
At the Audubon Center where I work, we are in the midst of some serious strategic planning that will result in an updated Education Plan (that will lead to an updated Building and Grounds Plan, etc.)
Those of you who read this blog are an interesting mix of people – precisely the kinds of people we would love to have walking through the doors of the Center on a regular basis. So let me ask you: If you could design the perfect Nature Center FOR YOU – the one that would get you down there for walks, visits, and attending programs – what would it look like? What kinds of programs would lure you down? What kinds of events would you attend? What kinds of facilities would make you think of us – even for things not related to nature? What kinds of volunteer opportunities would you find most rewarding.
I’m not looking for “you-oughta” answers. I’m looking for intensely personal answers. What would get YOU down to a nature center?
If you want to answer confidentially to me, you can use this form. If you want other readers to see and possibly reply to what you’ve written, leave a comment.
Thanks in advance for your thoughtful responses.
Mourning Dove Dance Lessons November 11, 2011
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in birds, winter.1 comment so far
I was amused watching the Mourning Doves walk along the paved sidewalk leaving their footprints in the snow.
We also watched flock after flock of Tundra Swans leave and land.
Autumn Haiku November 10, 2011
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in haiku.4 comments
Only oak and beech
cling tenaciously to leaves.
Winter approaches.
CAW CAW! November 7, 2011
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in art.add a comment
http://cawwny.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/call-for-work/
Osage Orange October 31, 2011
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in fruits and berries, trees.7 comments
Imagine tennis balls – the bright neon-green kind – but a little larger and all wrinkly. Two of these showed up on my porch the other day (mysteriously) and I brought them in and put them in my fruit bowl.
They have an unusual odor – not “pretty” – but not unpleasant either, sort of a clean chemical aroma, if that makes sense. I did a little googling and discovered they are called osage oranges (Maclura pomifera) and they grow on trees whose northern most range is the southern most part of my county, just barely.
It is reported indigenous people made war clubs from its very hard wood and that Europeans found it useful as a living livestock hedge, and later, after barbed wire became popular, the rot-resistant wood made good fence posts. The seeds are edible, if you can get to them through the pulp and slimy husk, a task readily engaged in by squirrels. There are unsubstantiated claims that the fruits repel bugs and spiders in your home.
I don’t know who put these on my porch, but if you are reading this, I am very interested in seeing the tree from which they came! Contact me?
Read accounts about Osage Orange at:
