Nature Center e-newsletter #2
In between a few
patches of sun (including almost a full day of it recently), we've continued to
have lots of rain over the last few weeks. Flood waters have not again reached
their levels of late December or mid-January, but precipitation has been
prodigious. Our neighbor recorded eighteen inches of rainfall during the month
of January--well above average, and fifty percent more than was received at the
The western tree frogs seem to be loving the wetness. When cold or pummeling
rain aren't discouraging them, they are singing enthusiastically in and around
ponds, puddles, and other wet patches here. The only thing that seems to stop
them, when they have a mind for singing, is the nearby passage of human boots.
I am still not sure how the signal passes, amidst the din of the frog chorus,
that Muck Boot Vibration has been detected on the ground--but the news seems to
spread fairly rapidly across an entire pond, until there is only one voice left
to sing, and then none. This happens no matter how quietly (or slowly, or
rapidly) I attempt to pass. The pond goes silent. The frogs are smart. They've
been around a lot longer than we have. If the only human threat to frogs'
flourishing on this planet came from people walking by, their survival would be
assured. Unfortunately, human threats come in other, more dangerous forms as
well--but that's not what this newsletter is about. The bad news about human
ecological impacts is easily available from many sources. This newsletter and
the
Speaking of lusty singers, there have been others here as well during the
relatively few breaks in the weather. Among others, I've heard winter wrens,
songs sparrows, chickadees, ravens, and been greeted by a flock of brilliantly
displaying ruby-crowned kinglets as I returned to my cabin from a bike ride one
morning. I also encountered a pair of western bluebirds near the bottom of
Other wildlife has made itself known too. There are the usual deer browsing in
the woods outside my door, especially at night. There was the small rodent
(species undetermined) which was making a nest in my former photovoltaic-system
battery box using old fiberglass insulation. And most noticeably, there's been
the skunk who has sprayed under and in two of the cabins near the lodge so
effectively that their inhabitants have significantly altered their daily
routines in an effort to rid themselves and all their clothing and possessions
of the smell.
Out on the land, one of the most interesting things happening (from a
gardener's point of view) is the innovative reproductive strategy revealing
itself among three well-established non-natives here: teasel, Queen Anne's
lace, and Canada thistle. Seedheads of all three, still held up on the top of
last year's stalks, are sprouting new seedlings, getting a head start this year
by growing in last year's composting inflorescence. If those seedheads hit the
right spots of ground as the stalks fall over, we'll have new plants....not
that we're encouraging the spread of these particular species,which are already
plenty abundant here.
Down at the creek restoration site, project coordinator Dave Bontrager has
placed 150 flags, corresponding to natives we will be planting there soon: vine
maple, osoberry, salmonberry, ninebark, Oregon grape, snowberry, and red osier
dogwood. Sometime within the next couple months, we are hoping to schedule a
public open day/tour to introduce members and visitors both to this specific
project and to the
The engraving machine has arrived, and performed spectacularly on its first
test sign-making run last week. It takes a while (five to six hours to engrave
one 8 inch by 12 inch piece, which can be cut into multiple signs if desired),
but requires virtually no supervision once it starts. We then sent away for
samples of sign-making materials, received them, and just placed an order for sign
stock which should arrive in a week or so. I also made two trips to the
hardware store to get necessary associated equipment and signpost material. I
have been working on creating computer files for plant species signs, and have
laid out a dozen files so far (giving common name, scientific name, and plant
family names for a total of 144 species--and there are many more to go).
Resident land steward
More news, hopefully including details about our first public events, should
come within a few weeks. Thanks again for your support of, and interest in, the
Chris