In Pursuit of Wonder

The eastern cottonwood is native to moist soils near streams, rivers and wetlands. It is a very fast growing tree. It is therefore often planted as quick shade by homes, though male clones are mostly used since they don’t drop cotton.  The eastern cottonwood is also used for soil stabilization…

People, mostly just friends, often ask how the bees are doing, thinking about it I’m not entirely sure what they mean. My answer, though, is usually I don’t know, I haven’t checked them in awhile. Indeed, the last time I opened the hives was when the bees stung me five…

At the first blossom they see, children are delighted. A large lawn dotted with its yellow flowers is a dream world to a child. She doesn’t just stay on the edge but wonders into the very center of the blooms, meandering through, running her fingers along blossoms as she passes.…

I wanted to feel the prairie, soak it in, become a part of it like I do with trees. The prairie is harder for me to connect with, perhaps because I have spent less time in prairies than trees. To truly appreciate the prairie, to be able to describe it…

The world of birds is stunning and filled with wonderment. There is a wide variety in color, patterns, shapes and sizes. Each species unique in song and behavior. Bird watching is fascinating and rewarding. This year I have taken more time to learn the birds I see, though I still…

I am elated to hear the first high-pitched, rapid trill of the male’s call in late April. I was especially thrilled when I first heard this sure sign of spring this year. It is the pronouncement that winter is over as hundreds of American toads have exited the burrows in…

Monday, we were planting in the garden. Suddenly, our dog, Spencer started barking. He was standing in tall grass, barking at the ground. Allie, our other dog, stood by him. She wasn’t barking but intently looking at whatever disturbed Spencer. We told him to stop barking, he didn’t listen.  Mom…

It was strange. I was sitting in the visitor center at Whitewater State Park, looking out the windows at the bird feeders. I love to just watch the birds. Suddenly, something startled the birds away. At first, I thought it had been me. Then I saw something furry on the…

It was a warm sunny day. The bees were extremely active. Their pollen baskets were loaded.  The outsides of the hives were speckled yellow from the pollen the busy bees were carrying into the hives. I added a super to one hive. The bees seemed fairly calm and weren’t threatening,…

The weather was finally warm enough for morel mushrooms! On Sunday evening, Jesse and I went hunting for these delicious, and increasingly valuable mushrooms. We drove the four-wheeler through the pasture to a place Jesse called the point. We parked it near a gate to yet another pasture. Jesse had…