Some mornings when we check the wildlife camera, we see there hasn't been much, or sometimes any, action overnight. We haven't been surveilling for long enough to tell if this is due to temperature, weather conditions, or some other variation (like the presence of a predator we can't see, nearby street noise or traffic, the … Continue reading In Which the Raccoons Steal the Show
Author: phototrophicfieldguide
Nighttime Visitors
My husband surprised me with an outdoor wildlife camera last winter. He knows my love of nature documentaries and of gadgets that allow a more intimate glimpse into the lives of animals. Since then, I’ve regularly enjoyed setting it up in different spots in the garden and seeing who shows up. (I try to be … Continue reading Nighttime Visitors
Weekend Getaway in Three Landscapes
We spent a long weekend in the Laurel Highlands, where the palette for this time of year is made up of shades of green and gold. I packed three books for three days (Well Met, Talking to Strangers, and The Dearly Beloved, in case you're curious) but, sitting outside beside my coffee and my little … Continue reading Weekend Getaway in Three Landscapes
Some Philosophical Thoughts on Instinct
There’s something about this time of year, as (in the Northern hemisphere, at least) the Earth starts its tilt away from the Sun: the sunlight moves through the day faster; its angle bathes the greens in golden tones; the nights are cooler, clearer, starry; the morning dew burns into blue-skied sunshine by midday. On afternoon … Continue reading Some Philosophical Thoughts on Instinct
Planning Trees
Before we built our house, there were two dead Oak trees on the lot that we had to have cut down. They were in the way of where our house was going to sit and seemed like a magnet for lightning. Even knowing that, having them cut down pained me. Now, a dozen years later, … Continue reading Planning Trees
Recalibrating
I've been quieter than I'd like to be here lately. Last month, my grandmother died. She lived to be 96 (and a half) years old, and died peacefully at home. Her death was not unexpected, but it was still a loss, and in the weeks since, I've been experiencing time in that weird, sometimes-lengthened/sometimes-compressed way … Continue reading Recalibrating
A Charm of Hummingbirds
Last year, at a bird banding at our friends' home, I had the experience of hearing a hummingbird heartbeat against my ear. It was (probably) a once-in-a-lifetime experience and so awe-inspiring that I haven't found the perfect words to convey all my feelings about it yet. What I can say is that that moment sparked … Continue reading A Charm of Hummingbirds
A Little Rant on Behalf of the Vulnerable Among Us
Every Fourth of July, I wonder if (American) animals think it's the end of the world. Imagine what not just one sparkler or firework smells and sounds and looks like to an owl or a deer or a bear or a mouse (or to any farm or domestic animal); imagine thousands popping up in all … Continue reading A Little Rant on Behalf of the Vulnerable Among Us
Summer Light Seeking
It's the first week of July and it feels like summer has finally hit. After days and days of cool weather and rain, we went directly into oppressively hot days without hardly any transition. Everything is green and swollen with humidity. We harvested the spring peas and carrots from the kitchen garden. The lilies, daisies, … Continue reading Summer Light Seeking
Phototrophic Field Guide 