I have—half-jokingly—stated that, if I were God, I would have ordered things differently. While I’m in awe of Nature’s intricate, interwoven, and complex structure and finely tuned function, I have never liked the fact that animals eat one another. Even as a child I closed my eyes when nature documentaries focused in on the “successful” … Continue reading Surprise Encounter of the Minky Kind
There are few things this world’s seven continents share, but a Little Free Library is among them. This statement wouldn't have been accurate before 2020, when Antarctica joined the other six by acquiring its first one. The southernmost Little Free Library happens to be a hand-crafted gift from a fellow Coloradan, Dr. Russell Schnell, an … Continue reading Little Free Libraries
Do you sometimes envy water? I do. Artist Nature has no equal, and each season carries its own reminders of that fact. While water is essential year-round, its ability to change shape seems never more obvious than during winter, when it transforms from liquid into vapor, frost, graupel, sleet, snow, or ice. And maybe water's … Continue reading Winter Patterns
Virginia Rails are known as solitary and secretive denizens of marshes (their scientific name Rallus limicola literally translates as mud-dwelling rail), but during certain seasons they seem to forget about their secretive natures and not only show their furtive selves to appreciative eyes, but even convene for rail parties. Contrary to their name’s suggestion, their … Continue reading Rail Fest
No sooner had I lamented January’s dearth of snow than our first substantial winter storm dropped a much-anticipated and greatly appreciated 7 inches in our corner of the country. As we all know, not each snowfall is created equal. While we have lived through many a blizzard, this most recent meteorological event allowed each snowflake … Continue reading Winter At Last
tanja britton 