Friday, May 25, 2007

2:00 pm Birds of Bernheim

Spent the morning with 2nd graders. Joe showed them the Big Prairie, I told them the story of Find-in-Forest and showed them the animal enclosures. This afternoon I printed more B&B drawings. None available for Penstemon tenuiflorus. Also designed a quick sheet for a species account. Found a 'Birds of Bernheim' pamphlet by Burt Monroe, Sr. from the mid-60's. Made copies for me and the NIT room.

10:20 pm ... I bought it ...

Spent a good part of the day at the arb, reviewing for my storytelling about Find-in-Forest tomorrow and Bug Bingo for the next 1st Saturday. Printed out more Britton & Brown drawings. I'm definately remembering ID's + latin names better. Walked along the Big Prairie and then along the drive at the house for new species.

Penstemon tenuiflorus? - Kentucky Beardtongue
Potentilla recta - Sulphur Cinquefoil
Triodanis perfoliata - Venus's Looking Glass
Achillea millefolium - Common Yarrow
(Jones - taxonomy not yet resolved)
Plantago lanceolata - English Plantain
Conium maculatum - Poison Hemlock

I gave in and bought the Jones book today! Resolving Carex grayi from Carex intumescens really sold me on the usefulness. It's been a great help today! It's best used in conjunction with other books, for me. Eg. when looking for Triodanis perfoliata, Jones makes no mention that the flowers are purple. Because I'm printing out B&B drawings for coloring, having the same drawings in Jones should be helpful to remember.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Midnight The Price of Sedge

My new housemate Price brought me a sedge specimen to key out. Using the Peterson book, the best match seems to be Carex intumescens. But looking in Jones, this seems to be second best. Correct appears to be Carex grayi because of 15 sacs in a cluster and the wedge shaped base of the sacs.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

7:15 pm Hostas aren't for Woodchucks

Earlier I saw one of the woodchucks right up by the house checking out one of the hostas. He apparently decided that they weren't good for woodchucks to eat. He ambled back into the seeding grass.

6:20 pm George Washington's Grass

I collected 2 species of grasses from the yard and tried an ID using the Peterson book by Lauren Brown. One appears to be Orchard Grass. Flowers/seeds are in bunches. Dactylis glomerata. She says the epithet means "gathered in bunches". She also quotes George Washington's high opinion of it. Also called Cock's Foot.

The other species seems to be Red Fescue, Festuca rubra. A key feature is round wiry basal leaves and the stem leaf rolled at the edge.

3:15 pm Tulip Tree

I'm back at the Bean house afer 2 days home and there are blossoms on the Tulip tree outside my bedroom window! How lovely! They are orange at the bottoms of the petals and yellow at the tops. These are the first I've sever seen! How would I get a closeup picture of one?

Monday, May 21, 2007

11:10 pm ... phenology of the obvious ...

I really felt motivated to really learn species and make observations today. This felt like my first true day as a resident naturalist. Book study and field observations must both be part of my efforts. Journaling and drawing are both things that I have to work on to be effective. Don't forget that the phenology of the obvious is just as important as the identification of the still obscure.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Noon Botanizing down the drive ...

Botanizing down the drive this morning and practiced ID's. Penstemons are probably Penstemon canescens which Barnes calls Appalachian Beardtongue and Peterson calls Gray Beardtongue. It's covered with fine hairs, especially lower on the stem, which they say may be grayish. The 'tongue' is actually a bearded, yellow-tipped sterile stamen. The other stamens are smooth and the anthers are covered in dark pollen. Hand lens also shows purple stripes leading into the flower on the lower petals. 3 lower petals and 2 upper petals. In the snapdragon or figwort family - Scrophulariaceae.

Also examined Asclepias viridis, Ozark Milkweed per Barnes. Not listed in Peterson or Newcomb. Petals standing up, unlike Green Milkweed. White milky sap. The 5 purple stamens and the stigma certainly have a unique and distinctive appearance.

Viola striata is the Pale or Cream Violet. Clear purple stripes on bottom petal, hairs on the other 2 lower petals to the center. No yellow color in center as with Canada Violet. Barnes does not mention the large, deeply toothed stipules as in Peterson's and Newcomb's which are distinctive and diagnostic.

Also probably Yellow Sweet-clover - Melilotus officinales, an alien.

9:15 am Fox Squirrels are Bigger

Quite cool this morning. Mark and Channing stayed last night. Spoke to Channing last night. Botany is his thing, especially mushrooms. Speaking to them this morning, I realize that I'd better study my trees harder. This morning I got to see a pair of Fox squirrels and a Gray squirrel at the same time out the kitchen window! Perfect way to make the comparison! Obvious yellow (almost to orange) on the undersides of the Fox. White undersides and many gray hairs above for the Gray. I could clearly see that the Fox was much bigger. According to Barbour, the pair of Foxes may be mating again any time now. I'm guessing that the meadow below makes this good habitat for the Fox squirrel, while the Gray has all the forest here that he needs.

Gray squirrel - Sciurus carolinensis
Fox squirrel - Sciurus niger

Saturday, May 19, 2007

8:55 pm Birds are more secretive ...

Walked to Wilson Creek and back. Birds are more secretive now that the trees are leafed out. Some flowers that I didn't recognize. Perhaps a wood mint. I may go back in the morning to photograph and ID.

6:30 pm Coloring Books

3 stayed over last night. Piper, Channing and Chris. We all got along fine. Everyone was up at 7 this morning. I had ITO 204 Birding from 8:30-11 this morning. Saw many birds including Cedar Waxwing, Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Kentucky Warbler (heard), Song sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, Great Crested Flycatcher, Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-bellied Woodpecker. Plants included Catbrier, Green Milkweed and Winged Elm. Mike also pointed out an Umbrella plant (tree) from Japan. Lunched with Lissa & Tina, then we shopped for books. We decided on Peterson coloring books to help learn species. I bought birds & butterflies along with a new wildflower guide that I can make enlarged copies from.

In the afternoon we watched a Raptor Rehab program as ITO 204 from 1:30-3. Including Barred Owl, Long-eared Owl, Barn Owl, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk. Having a bit of quiet time at the house now and reading. Verified that instead of Brambles growing near the house it is one of the roses, probably Multiflora Rose. Note the deeply fringed stipules. Have I misidentified these elsewhere?

Friday, May 18, 2007

8:30 pm The Last House in the Woods

I finished reading 'Last Child in the Woods' and now I've started 'The Future of Life' by E.O. Wilson. I suggested today that we should call this place the 'Last House in the Woods'.

7:00 pm Another day spent waiting ...

Another day spent waiting for internet service without results. I'll have houseguests starting tonight. They will be doing bat research and such both here and at Fort Knox. I met Piper at the Ed. Center and Mark Gumbert here at the house. Both are quite friendly. Piper and two guys will be staying tonight. Mark will be back tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

8:20 pm ... a casual walk ...

Took a casual walk to Wilson Creek and back. how far would it be to walk to the arb and back? It's still quite bright out, which is one of the reasons that I like the approach of summer.

4:30 pm ... spiderworts blooming across the prairie.

Got nearly halfway through 'Last Child in the Woods' this morning. His comments on organized sports and about the disappearance of music from schools leaves you with much to think about. After lunch I went down to the arb. There were beautiful spiderworts blooming across the prairie. Much more blue than the dark purple variety I have at home. Watched a red-tailed hawk circle near the entry kiosk and photographed a family of Canada geese. I walked into the maple collection and discovered the inspiring quietude of a memorial area for Annamarie Campbell.

"[What is the] extinction of a condor to a child who has never seen a wren?" --naturalist Robert Michael Pyle, quoted in 'Last Child in the Woods'.

9:20 am Inspired

Am writing this on the deck, a great place for inspiration. I can hear the pileated calling. It was drizzling at 7 this morning, so I rolled over and slept in. Reading the 'Last Child in the Woods' last night made me think about climbing the apple tree when I was a boy. I'm thinking that I'd like to find a good tree to climb here!

10:40 pm Edgar Allen Poe or just a Crow?

It's been raining for a bit this evening. Much needed really. I hiked down the drive and along the gas pipeline for some distance, but still couldn't orient to the map when I got back. Was surprised when a crow landed on the sill and knocked on the kitchen window with it's beak. Can't remember now if it was lunch or dinnertime .. lunch I suppose. Was he saying 'hi' or just checking to see if anything was alive inside? I finished my 'Color' book this morning and took it to Wren. Now I've started 'Last Child in the Woods'. I don't think that children are the only ones suffering from nature-deficit disorder.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

10:15 am ... a good day to rest a bit.

The air is very comfortably cool this morning. I'm sure that the hottest temperatures will be arriving soon. I was checking the map this morning to see the property lines and consider strategies for hiking to them. I'm not sure I want to go bushwhacking while the weather is still good for the snakes. I'd like to discover a good route to the Knob House. It does feel like a good day to rest a bit. The stillness here is so soothing.

10:30 pm Came back early ...

Came back early as I got caught up at home and was anxious to start studying more nature in the morning.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

9:30 am Mother's Day

It's another beautiful morning. I'll try to get photos of my new flowers this morning. Then it's home to give a walk for Greenspace this afternoon and to cook steaks for mom & I on Mother's Day. It's been a long time since we fired up the grill. I'm seeing how valuable bloom tables could be for pre-studying your flowers. The Mammoth Cave book is the only one I know with them. These would be a great supplement to Ron Jones' list.

11:30 pm Lots of Cynthia.

What a long day! But it couldn't have been better. Spent the morning at BFUN 204 Wildlife. In the afternoon gave a hike for the Orchid Society on Rock Run. No orchids, but still a lot to look at. Lots of Cynthia. In the evening, everyone came out to the house to go frogging with Joe Cichan. What a great time! Mike (the botanist) is so handy for ID'ing flowers. I'm told that its hemlock growing right out at the road! We made some great catches: Broadleaf Phlox, Large Wood Sorrel, Golden Alexanders, Valerian. I realize now it was Valerian that I also saw on Rock Run. I'd really like to walk back in the morning and photograph them. All is right with the world.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

7:45 am ... so worth the effort ...

What a glorious morning! It was so worth the effort to roll out of the hay. Two turkeys foraged for food in the grass. Later, a single turkey stood in the drive as if guarding the same area. The morning mist has risen now and its time to start my day.

Friday, May 11, 2007

7:30 pm I'm lichen the look of that moth

I didn't have the energy to hike for orchids today. Wireless internet still doesn't work at the Visitor Center! Took photos of a Cecropia moth laying eggs that Corinne brought in today. She intends to raise the caterpillers. Coming back tonite I saw 2 turkey vulture flush from their roost right in front of my car. Also saw that I have 2 woodchucks in the creekside condo. A turkey dodged into the woods further up the drive. Just beginning to study the lichens on the trees here.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

7:45 pm ... might be a woodchuck ...

Spent a couple of hours this afternoon scouting for orchids on Rock Run and at the head of the Millenium trail. No such luck. Saw 2 snakes on Rock Run, one medium, dusky and banded, the other thin and bright green. Saw a wild ginger in bloom. 2 Jack-in-the-pulpits. Pictures of all.

This evening I walked down to the creek. I think my 'river otter' might be a woodchuck, owing to its fair sized ears. Saw a Tiger Swallowtail and Spicebush Swallowtail feeding.

A Great Crested Flycatcher was apparently calling to a young one to watch his step. Heard both a Phoebe and a Common Yellowthroat. Saw 2 lizards M+F about where the woodcheck burrow must be. They were sunning on a rock with the male climbing on top for a bit. Clear stripes on the female. Very bright orange underside of male's head.

11:45 am .. no blue orchids ...

Again heard crows harassing a Red-Tailed Hawk this morning. Brought a plant from the house which Wren ID'd as Polymnia canadensis or perhaps uvedalia. Leafcup. Both are listed Newcomb's, only the large flowered uvedalia in Wharton, also called Bearfoot.

Referred to 'Who Named the Daisy? Who Named the Rose?: A Roving Dictionary of North American Wildflowers' by Mary Durant. She says 'orchid' is from the Greek for testicles from the shape of the root. It's said that men who eat it beget only boys.

Another good book is 'Secrets of Wildflowers' by Jack Sanders. it notes that there are no blue orchids and tells of a German who paid to have a species eradicated in the wild after he'd collected it in order to raise its value!

10:15 pm Feeling like I've been missing out.

Got back to the Bean house this afternoon feeling like I've been missing out. Had an NIT potluck at the garden pavilion and we walked around the lake. The pavilion is like an apartment building full of nesting barn swallows. Watched bumble bees and spotted skippers taking nectar from an 'indigo' plant in the pea family. Was able to recognize Clustered snakeroot.

When I came back I could hear a Whipporwill and Chuck Will's Widow at the gate. Saw 2 or maybe 3 deer by the wildlife feeder.

Monday, May 07, 2007

11:30 am Spotted a nest ...

Saw a Baltimore Oriole near the Ed. Center feeders. Spotted a nest said to be a Red-Tailed Hawks in a sycamore tree along the I-Spy trail.

8:30 am 'Chick-Burr'

This morning I saw an ovenbird while having my coffee. Looks like a smaller version of a thrush with fewer markings on the breast. Couldn't see orange mark on the head. She jumped on a branch to check me out, then returned to the forest floor to go about her business.

Checked Peterson's and verified as Eastern Phoee from last night by the creek. No wing bars seals the deal. Also was reminded that 'chick-burr' is the call of the Scarlet Tanager. I'll be going home today to take care of things. Should be back on Wednesday.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

8:30 am Morning Chorus

I came downstairs at 7:30 this morning and didn't see a turkey or pileated woodpecker. It sounded nearly dead quiet from inside the house. But when I went out on the deck with my cofffee, the morning chorus was in full swing.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

8:35 pm A Settling Mist

As the darkness of night approaches, a mist is settling in to fog the view beyond the creek, isolating from what is unseen. A frog calls again outside.

8:00 pm Clustered Snakeroot




Spent most of the day at the visitor center. Allen was there in the afternoon and figured he spoke to about 80 people. Tonight I ID'd clustered snakeroot growing in front of the deck. One book says that its in the black snakeroot family. Sanicula gregaria. Apiaceae. Listed in Barnes and also Newcomb's. Newcomb's says Sanicles or Black Snakeroot, Parsley family.

















8:00 pm 'Wicka-Wicka-Wicka'

Dick and Roger came out to the house after discovery stations. Saw the pileated woodpecker and his latest wood chips from the deck. I sat on the deck after dinner, listening to the evening chorus. The pileated had moved away and was calling 'wicka-wicka-wicka'. Frogs called to each other from at least 4 different nnearby trees. Perhaps Cope's Gray Tree Frog. Saw a scarlet tanager and blue-gray gnatcatcher. Also a quite vocal Carolina wren. Earlier, down the drive I saw indigo bunting and bluebird. A turkey hen caught sight of me from across the drive and scattered for the woods. The same one?

8:45 am How early did Wayne arrive this morning?

Came down the stairs at 8 this morning to see a turkey hen in the yard. She saw me right away and moved off into the woods. I'll be off to Bernheim in a bit. There's an ITO on plants this morning and this afternoon is 1st Saturday. How early did Wayne arrive this morning? (He was planning on very early.)

Friday, May 04, 2007

8:00 pm Creamy Shade of Malt

Saw two deer and heard a third snort and flash it's tail on my walk this evening. The creek is running high from all the rain and looks a creamy shade of malt with all the silt. I think the pileated woodpecker is the house pet. Also saw 3 birds at the pond. Plovers?

10:15 am Pileated at Work


Watched a pileated woodpecker excavating a stump just outside the kitchen/dining windows. Was able to take several photos.

9:45 am ... rain is very soothing.

Sitting on the porch in the rain is very soothing. The rain is light now, and some birds are calling above the pattering drops.

9:00 am ... interrupted by the knocking ...


My morning coffee was interrupted by the knocking of a pileated woodpecker on the side of the house! Got to watch him for a bit just 10 fet away on a tree. What a wonderful sight!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

5:45 pm Coffee with the Birds



What a great first day at the Bean house and Bernheim! I had my cup of coffee with a Cardinal and two Indigo Buntings this morning. Water running into the basement this morning after raining last night. I was at Bernheim by about 9:30. Spoke to Roger and then went online at the Visitor Center. Couldn't resist buying the Trillium book today. They have 2 copies of Ron Jones! That would by $60 with my discount. Jennifer Shackleton e-mailed that she saw a Yellow Lady's Slipper on Cull Hollow Trail on Monday. Hiked it in the afternoon and I found the flower! Got a couple of very good photos. Back at the house around 4pm.

* Saw male & female Rose Breasted Grossbeak at the Visitor Center feeder this morning.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

7:15 pm Tonight is my 1st ...

What a glorious time we had at Tremont last weekend! Me, Wren, Dick, Joe Cichan, Corinne, Tina, Portia & Jerry Brown. All day hike on Saturday, probably 6 miles or so. From the Finley Can trailhead to Bote Mountain Trail and then to Laurel Falls trail. Most cut away on Dorsey to check for more salamanders, but I stayed on Laurel Falls with 4 others so I culd go to the bookstore. List of things seen in Tremont journal including Pink Ladyslipper and Showy Orchis. On Sunday morning I went Fern Frondling at the Sinks and saw 15 species!

Tonight is my 1st night at the Bean house! I saw a box turtle crossing the road (got out for a close look) and then a wild turkey alongside the road on the way to the house. Then saw another turkey along the driveway! Saw Northern Watersnake at the creek. Many birds calling including common yellowthroat (witchety-witchety) and Wood Thrush. Full moon hike was called off for tonight, but no rain yet this evening. It's so silent here and there's so much to explore. It reminds me of exploring the farms with Chris as a boy. I think I'm going to like this.

Why this blog?

This blog will chronicle my stay at Bernheim and my doings as a resident naturalist. And maybe it'll just keep going after that. Entries are from my nature journal.