Brief-Form Post #39: Pits, Mounds, and Sinkholes in the Wells Memorial Forest at Monte Sano State Park!
Brief-Form Post #39 I am pleased to add the 38th of my GBH Brief-Form Posts (Less than five minutes to read!) to my website. I get wordy with my routine Posts. I don’t want my enthusiasm for thoroughness and detail to discourage readers. So, I will publish these brief Posts regularly. Sinkholes, Pits, Mounds, […]
Halloween Forest of Rare Smoketrees (Cotinus obovatus) on Green Mountain Nature Preserve!
I don’t recall ever seeing our north Alabama native smoketree (Continus obovatus) nor learning about it so many years ago when I took Dendrology in 1970. The species does range as far north as West Virginia, much less where I began my undergraduate studies in western Maryland. I didn’t know what to expect when fellow […]
Brief-Form Post #38: Tangles, Loops, and Vines in the Hardwood Canopy on Monte Sano
Brief-Form Post #38: Woodland Delights! I am pleased to add the 38th of my GBH Brief-Form Posts (Less than five minutes to read!) to my website. I get wordy with my routine Posts. I don’t want my enthusiasm for thoroughness and detail to discourage readers. So, I will publish these brief Posts regularly. Grapevine […]
Hints of Autumn in Mid-October along the Rainbolt Trail at Madison AL’s Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve
Hints of Autumn On October 13, 2024, my new right knee (August 20, 2024) and I ambled along the moderate Rainbolt Trail on Madison, Alabama’s Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve, where I observed the early signs of the coming winter. Judy and I made 13 interstate moves across our five+ decades of married and […]
Buckeye Impoundment in Early October on the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (Part One)
On October 6, 2024, a little longer than six weeks since my total right knee replacement surgery, I ventured to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to gently explore Buckeye Impoundment, Blackwell Swamp, and Rockhouse Bottom by automobile and dirt road strolling. Not yet ready for woodland trail wandering, I welcomed the fresh air, seasonal transition signs, […]
First Moderate Hike (Saunter) Since Knee Replacement Surgery: Rainbolt Trail
On Sunday, October 13, 2024, I “co-led” a University of Alabama in Huntsville Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) hike on the Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve in Madison, Alabama. I used the term co-led liberally. I co-chair the OLLI Member Interest Group for hiking and Nature Walks. Just 7.5 weeks past my total right knee replacement […]
Introducing Little Mountain Forest School
My Introduction to the Little Mountain Forest School and Its Undergirding Philosophy On October 30, 2024, at the invitation of Beth Barry and Sarah Callaway, co-founders and directors, I enjoyed an orientation visit to the Little Mountain Forest School. I chatted individually with Sarah and Beth as staff-led breakout groups of the 23 students […]
Brief-Form Post #37: Autumn Mid-Day Descent to Monte Sano’s Wells Memorial Trail!
I am pleased to add the 37th of my GBH Brief-Form Posts (Less than five minutes to read!) to my website. I tend to get a bit wordy with my routine Posts. I don’t want my enthusiasm for thoroughness and detail to discourage readers. So, I will publish these brief Posts regularly. On October 30, […]
An Early Fall Exploration along Madison, Alabama’s Bradford Creek Greenway!
On October 4, 2024, five and one-half weeks beyond my total right knee replacement surgery, I continued my recovery and reentry to Nature exploration. Judy and our two Alabama grandsons (Sam, 10, and Jack, just shy of 17) accompanied me. My appreciation for the simple pleasures of the Common in Nature grew during my […]
Reading Signs of Big Winter Winds at Joe Wheeler State Park
I’m drafting this photo essay on Saturday morning, September 28, 2024, just five-and-one-half weeks after my August 20, 2024, total right knee replacement surgery. I ventured into Nature last on August 19, 2024. My backlog of pre-surgery observations, reflections, photos, and brief videos is nearly depleted, and I’m not sure when I can recharge my […]
Exploring the Forest along Lake Wheeler at Point Mallard Park!
On September 29, 2024, I co-led a University of Alabama in Huntsville OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) Nature Walk at Point Mallard Park in nearby Decatur, Alabama. We departed a picnic shelter at 3:00 PM as a shower associated with superstorm Helene was abating. The Park borders Dinsmore Slough and Flint Creek on the […]
An August Afternoon Stroll along Indian Creek Greenway!
On Friday, August 9, 2024, I stopped by Huntsville, Alabama’s Indian Creek Greenway to trek a couple of miles to capture images of mid-summer flowers, trees, seasonal breezes, and the mood of Indian Creek in the late afternoon shade. I wanted to inhale Nature’s summer essence before my total right knee replacement on August 20. […]