Bunchgrass defines the grasslands of the intermontane west. It is not, however, the main story here. It is only the canopy forest. The real grassland is here. It is far older. It lies […]
The Earth, Breathing, Not in Secret
The earth breathes water and energy. Sometimes they come together. At those times, it’s best to stop along with them. And be breathlessly in that moment of stasis. It is hard won. […]
A Visit From the Loons
If you’ve ever lived in the north, you will rejoice with me. The loons are here, passing through to the Pacific. (Hint: in Europe, they’re called divers. See the one in front, […]
Capturing Light
I’ve noticed before that leaves that have finished photosynthesis give off more light than they receive, because their photoreceptive structures, which trap photons of light, bounce them around about twenty times before […]
Human Life Under the Sea
Water is mysterious stuff. So is air. Sometimes air holds up water.Sometimes water holds up air. But there’s something else going on. Mud.What you’re looking at here is the bottom of a […]
Defying Gravity and Collecting Water for Free Through Time Travel
As long as not too great a mass of water is involved, surface tension is stronger than gravity (and stronger than adhesion). Take a look: This water ran down the twig (it […]
The Beauty of Ice and Grass
Plants lay down their intricate patterns based on cycles of pressure and release, which are in turn formed by intricate and varied patterns of water, carbon and gas pressures, like this I guess. Note […]
Self Portrait With Snow (and Birds)
Honk Squawk Shhhh Coo TweetAren’t you glad we’re not alone?
The Pattern of Life
Check this out. Here are two rose hips at sundown. Note the long stem, the flattened sphere of the fruit, and the long floral leaves. Now check out this mud puddle ice just up […]
For the Love of Birds
My mother, who died a week ago on Sunday, did not like starlings. This was not because she did not like birds. She loved those. As a girl in the 1930s, she […]
Okanagan Okanogan 