tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482991692009451222024-02-06T22:05:26.284-05:00Bearing WitnessConnecting Readers to Nature Through Writing, Photography, and Education.Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-43587606991169810432015-11-29T18:23:00.002-05:002015-11-29T18:23:53.842-05:00Time to Prepare for Nesting-- Bald Eagles<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The local Bald Eagles are preparing for the next nesting season. They are present nearly every day now and have been carrying grasses to the nest for the coming season. They have nested here every year since 2008.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There have been two juveniles present the last several days off and on. I speculate perhaps their offspring from last season since they are not driving them off.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My Nature Journal entry documenting this-- On a very windy day, the eagle struggled to maneuver flying through the steady winds and gusts carrying nesting material. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdd8a_cQ9gc-gAXqsWl5z8F_z_rzdUbs5_2Vrk9N2CQ2UZjY15p50Yh0ReO8MnCEovurSqfpxDKABT1JegOXJTYfab9ryvzRWpNINLoa49onK28waf6gTVApyIorBUnz92IdXzNZ76w/s1600/2015.11.11BAEAgrasses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdd8a_cQ9gc-gAXqsWl5z8F_z_rzdUbs5_2Vrk9N2CQ2UZjY15p50Yh0ReO8MnCEovurSqfpxDKABT1JegOXJTYfab9ryvzRWpNINLoa49onK28waf6gTVApyIorBUnz92IdXzNZ76w/s640/2015.11.11BAEAgrasses.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-59850582593171104882015-11-10T19:41:00.000-05:002015-11-10T20:00:29.916-05:00IT'S NOT ABOUT THE ART BUT THE EXPERIENCE! NATURE JOURNALING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKpYIFZTN9aU_bw6iAl44jFZml5lfeuCHmA5nqCB2gtGVWBXsRWdlD4L9Vh0gG_4TeKh_UuWPEvQwnxJBvE6Pu8tksw0gHs2dVc0AO1lCyoKX6dkeSq31slXVkTlznulfArkEPfXjiw/s1600/2015.07.10BCPCOYE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKpYIFZTN9aU_bw6iAl44jFZml5lfeuCHmA5nqCB2gtGVWBXsRWdlD4L9Vh0gG_4TeKh_UuWPEvQwnxJBvE6Pu8tksw0gHs2dVc0AO1lCyoKX6dkeSq31slXVkTlznulfArkEPfXjiw/s640/2015.07.10BCPCOYE.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since
1980 I have kept journals. They are prized possessions. They have primarily
been used to record observations, experiences, thoughts, poems, and phenological
data. I would often sketch but writing was primarily the task. The last several
years I have used the hibernation of winter to do more sketching. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During this
past winter of 2014-2015, I decided to focus on improving my ability to
sketch in my journal by sketching several times a week, studying my books,
reading blogs, watching videos, and joining the Facebook page, The Nature
Journal Club. I surprised myself. I enjoy this greatly and have
continued now into late fall. It has been liberating. I enjoy the freedom
it allows me. With my photography (which I still love), I have to carry heavy
equipment which becomes tiring and limits me at times to where I go and how far
I can travel. I also felt a little vulnerable being out alone with all the equipment.
Now I grab my field bag and binoculars and I am out the door. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIFMKZKGpJ-dZR3Ed0DYkRKDiwr2xEcdeSglx2SY5JVa-tZIEni4DNEt4Wx6EsAdyzeyVzg1K-qEEHW5gFSKXEJjYftYOL4OEBzUOVmvjiUSB55na1epM0YszKPYimm0Dwa43rKPlDA/s1600/2015.10.24AutumnLeaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIFMKZKGpJ-dZR3Ed0DYkRKDiwr2xEcdeSglx2SY5JVa-tZIEni4DNEt4Wx6EsAdyzeyVzg1K-qEEHW5gFSKXEJjYftYOL4OEBzUOVmvjiUSB55na1epM0YszKPYimm0Dwa43rKPlDA/s640/2015.10.24AutumnLeaves.JPG" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
need to share a disclaimer about nature journaling. I do not consider my
journals works of art. It is NOT about being a great artist or having a depth
of knowledge on the skills of drawing, colored pencils, and watercolors. It IS
about the experience-- being observant, documenting what you see, asking
questions, being curious, and sketching/journaling often. It is also about
shutting up the inner critic that loves to squash your creativity. So if you
think you can not do this, you are wrong. You do not have to be born with a “talent”
for drawing. It can be developed through practice and the desire to journal. I
do it for me. No one else. I don’t care if others “like it”. Do it for
yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
am seeing differently these days. Instead of the eyes of the photographer--
seeing compositionally and frame-wise, I am really seeing my subjects. I see
shapes and parts of the body/structure and how they all connect with each other
to create the whole bird, tree, plant, etc. I notice the subtleties of color,
shadow, and posture. It is new territory and I love it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFOCkRjAJ1NAdWrEGFtR7-76Uf_iHJmCSvCLhBIrorLt7hhngIBtbI37JrWZ7JNUixDx5lLszd8GluIUfRjBVT6_GnlmkHJvn4Fg-XmfKA_yLjG4PtBkrPPFq7uK6HejqeM6msadJSQ/s1600/2015.11.01MerlinBCP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFOCkRjAJ1NAdWrEGFtR7-76Uf_iHJmCSvCLhBIrorLt7hhngIBtbI37JrWZ7JNUixDx5lLszd8GluIUfRjBVT6_GnlmkHJvn4Fg-XmfKA_yLjG4PtBkrPPFq7uK6HejqeM6msadJSQ/s640/2015.11.01MerlinBCP.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
enjoy thumbing through my journals because I immediately see my observations,
experiences, and the phenology of the season unfold visually. I am doing much
more sketching than writing but am still recording my observations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
nature journaling I prefer working with pen, colored pencils, or watercolor
pencils and paints. So for now when I find time to add to my blog, I will take the
reader along on a walk and share my observations from my nature journal. I hope
you will enjoy it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsyQpTa3K8BMe9ODrYjH5tUcWloljDaOKHLrtjAhwl_e8BdeIUNFTn5eWV9LonozQYQAjOO10d5Kfc9VGPPlR7W1e2rwu0ab2eziSIu6dq53tOYQe5ZvXVMvIiV5l4Il6Rshr8xHCDg/s1600/2015.11.10PIWOcedarEABLscreen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsyQpTa3K8BMe9ODrYjH5tUcWloljDaOKHLrtjAhwl_e8BdeIUNFTn5eWV9LonozQYQAjOO10d5Kfc9VGPPlR7W1e2rwu0ab2eziSIu6dq53tOYQe5ZvXVMvIiV5l4Il6Rshr8xHCDg/s640/2015.11.10PIWOcedarEABLscreen.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-78022516518689551662014-10-20T21:05:00.000-04:002014-10-20T21:05:32.341-04:00It Was Diaphanous<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMfvZq4pJMMOF2CywO9vuSRePFCjJktnKRn-yBH7AI0O4q6Jm8XdscOeWRX-Sksw6HFfUmutV4Ba8jO62JbiDNHHUDiCr3fg3yO7jtGPn_HE21HKUFaRqkULfQXIvLcpa9MBEKjCifw/s1600/_JLJ7416_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMfvZq4pJMMOF2CywO9vuSRePFCjJktnKRn-yBH7AI0O4q6Jm8XdscOeWRX-Sksw6HFfUmutV4Ba8jO62JbiDNHHUDiCr3fg3yO7jtGPn_HE21HKUFaRqkULfQXIvLcpa9MBEKjCifw/s1600/_JLJ7416_edited-1.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/" target="_blank">© Joni L. James Photography</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It Was
Diaphanous</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
its stillness Rock resides.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
yearn to be Rock.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Its
fire cooled form is a history of crystallization</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mine
is a history of change—forming and shape-shifting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rock
allows the cool creek currents to caress and embrace its hardness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each
moment passes and I try to surrender.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reflections
surround Rock expressing what is or what isn’t</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yet
that which is reflected stands as a sentinel over its presence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
reflections are built of light and shadow and brushed with iridescence</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yet
a Great Mystery guides me as I reflect Its omnipresence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was diaphanous but I felt it</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rock
and I are One.</span></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-85192611760052057412014-09-07T18:15:00.000-04:002014-09-17T10:31:43.914-04:00What's Hiding in the Garden?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbP81aTFgDJJXJgYSHi3iBE4zi4Ghpz3uShUhXxqkI_5JzFf84ieICnhdx6v7sqOX7c2cfcnkrCfEuM0IfDvm36P_H8TYdvuPAI2aBibChUjuHWnW-G95xdAue0xunC28FJqA7nPwkw/s1600/BlackeyedSusan.SycamoreSeed6295_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbP81aTFgDJJXJgYSHi3iBE4zi4Ghpz3uShUhXxqkI_5JzFf84ieICnhdx6v7sqOX7c2cfcnkrCfEuM0IfDvm36P_H8TYdvuPAI2aBibChUjuHWnW-G95xdAue0xunC28FJqA7nPwkw/s1600/BlackeyedSusan.SycamoreSeed6295_edited-1.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/whats-hiding-in-the-garden.html" target="_blank">Dandelion Seed Caught on Black-eyed Susan</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We must look for a long time before
we can see”.<br />
– </span><a href="http://www.thoreausociety.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;">Henry David Thoreau</span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What is hiding in your native area? Thoreau says we must
look a long time before we can see. It is easy to walk through and around your
native plants but how closely do you look?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are times I do not saunter enough with my legs or my
eyes. When I take the time to really see, I usually discover dramas I
could easily miss.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/" target="_blank" title="Joni L. James Photography/HeronWatch Nature Programs"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;">Photographing</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
is a task that requires my close observation. When I am looking for interesting
subjects or dramas to photograph, I use my binoculars which allows me to view
from one vantage spot and discover hidden subjects.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One day as I was sauntering through a native prairie, I
spotted this sycamore seed (through my binoculars) dangling from the underside
of a Black-eyed Susan. The seed had ridden the wind quite a distance since the
nearest sycamore tree was far away.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(<b>NOTE</b>: This is my <a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/whats-hiding-in-the-garden.html" target="_blank">September 2014 blog post for Beautiful Wildlife Garden</a>. You can read the rest of this post at this link: <a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/whats-hiding-in-the-garden.html" target="_blank">Beautiful Wildlife Garden.</a>). </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeronWatchNaturePrograms" target="_blank">Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms</a></span></span></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-83171816521757788072014-09-07T17:41:00.000-04:002014-09-07T17:41:53.007-04:00Finding Solace in the Native Garden<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgWyf3z6QIA-7XNvwyPTWEPaqzxfKYfd-9rzEOdLyRWn64upGyhvw5LCVcK_EO_6L-XtZ1GJJqKrFpwYj-hPf7N-758UO99L0g6FpvHM94Hi5GcRBCz_S117PtgbHHtbgtMh39Zs1kQ/s1600/_JLJ6635_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgWyf3z6QIA-7XNvwyPTWEPaqzxfKYfd-9rzEOdLyRWn64upGyhvw5LCVcK_EO_6L-XtZ1GJJqKrFpwYj-hPf7N-758UO99L0g6FpvHM94Hi5GcRBCz_S117PtgbHHtbgtMh39Zs1kQ/s1600/_JLJ6635_edited-1.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/finding-solace-in-the-native-garden.html" target="_blank">My Native Plot</a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>(NOTE</b>: I am now a member of <a href="http://In preparing for this post—my first one—I contemplated my topic. What kept coming back to me was to share my recent personal experience. The experience was a reminder to allow time to enjoy my passions and to find solace in my native garden. I have been a naturalist since I was a child. I always ask myself, what can I do for my local wildlife? What can I do for the ecosystems on my property? After reading Doug Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home, and learning of the interdependency of native plants to insects to birds and to pollinators-- I made it my mission to learn more and plant native. Since then it has been a perspective of, “Ask what you can do for your local ecosystems.” But a couple of weeks ago, I discovered what my native garden can do for me. " target="_blank">Beautiful Wildlife Garden Team</a> and will be posting once every four weeks about all things "Wildlife Gardens"! This is an excerpt of my first blog installment in July. You can click the link and it will take you to my <a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/finding-solace-in-the-native-garden.html" target="_blank">Beautiful Wildlife Garden post so you can read the complete post.<span style="color: black;"><b>)</b></span></a></span><br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In
preparing for this post—my first one—I contemplated my topic. What kept coming
back to me was to share my recent personal experience. The experience was a
reminder to allow time to enjoy my passions and to find solace in my native
garden.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
have been a naturalist since I was a child. I always ask myself, what can I do
for my local wildlife? What can I do for the ecosystems on my property? </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After
reading Doug Tallamy’s book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bringing
Nature Home</i>, and learning of the interdependency of native plants to
insects to birds and to pollinators-- I made it my mission to learn more and
plant native. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since
then it has been a perspective of, “Ask what you can do for your local
ecosystems.” But a couple of weeks ago, I discovered what my native garden can
do for me. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/finding-solace-in-the-native-garden.html" target="_blank">READ THE COMPLETE POST AT BEAUTIFUL WILDLIFE GARDEN </a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-58157075772918556172014-02-18T21:21:00.000-05:002014-02-18T21:21:47.867-05:00The Snowiest Winter<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It has been the snowiest winter here in my part of Indiana. The snow is beautiful but it has been accompanied by brutal cold this winter. They called it the Polar Vortex-- I call it challenging. We have had over 50 inches so far! I must say I am looking forward to spring. Today was the warmest day in a long time-- 50 some degrees! It felt wonderful! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To commemorate this winter, I will share some of the scenes I captured-- this too shall pass and cycle continues!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"To us snow and cold seem a mere delaying of the spring. How far we are from understanding the value of these things in the economy of Nature!" -- Henry David Thoreau (Journal -March 8, 1859: Vol.XII)</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwLPpgkRNXVCNxnVuHG1nsqHyj_5mrVWEtyrQq83HYEM87H7YdywNdBrlWSwu2TqLpYekdOkwH53KmlNQgNVS64EXpuZtyh51bHFz13cT0U36Rv7NOdrF6cn9q69hE62ZDA92NYh0jg/s1600/_JLJ5624_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwLPpgkRNXVCNxnVuHG1nsqHyj_5mrVWEtyrQq83HYEM87H7YdywNdBrlWSwu2TqLpYekdOkwH53KmlNQgNVS64EXpuZtyh51bHFz13cT0U36Rv7NOdrF6cn9q69hE62ZDA92NYh0jg/s1600/_JLJ5624_edited-1.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVURPZD7Nscy2a5JnRfrSl3Cm00VwMoUoytMa9_xgpi3QyBe-TJMzhymA9G7y_FvCwOpdCuOWVVfSmJGeTBNgIvLeTFKuLYxKsTw3KSHTEmUWTGV3eF_WczHHsiVAuzwBN1sBrddTeQ/s1600/_JLJ5676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVURPZD7Nscy2a5JnRfrSl3Cm00VwMoUoytMa9_xgpi3QyBe-TJMzhymA9G7y_FvCwOpdCuOWVVfSmJGeTBNgIvLeTFKuLYxKsTw3KSHTEmUWTGV3eF_WczHHsiVAuzwBN1sBrddTeQ/s1600/_JLJ5676.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsw4JjlZJKYC8-IEeTvdWt34g_Volzf25dIC0YTmcgmvF_x-IbA9_P0C1775IjxYVOnpAu6MlKB9Fmg8qulgjmxr_LezGmwJHyKC2Ffue5oiLJ20Wv81IWMULM4xzqlnMaaQXysN5iA/s1600/_JLJ5664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsw4JjlZJKYC8-IEeTvdWt34g_Volzf25dIC0YTmcgmvF_x-IbA9_P0C1775IjxYVOnpAu6MlKB9Fmg8qulgjmxr_LezGmwJHyKC2Ffue5oiLJ20Wv81IWMULM4xzqlnMaaQXysN5iA/s1600/_JLJ5664.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvxiOdgYpol7VLy0JzAXXAq_wQCy52s9_ajHO-UeF-H9noHZyNCsvt_w6BuDCCDuhCUi3ZTXuMWRVa193UwCCigE7WrbJlCANmD6fnSnxzaMEvSkhEPuVGRs4KO7e4lR-hR4xjdgWHA/s1600/IMG_0292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvxiOdgYpol7VLy0JzAXXAq_wQCy52s9_ajHO-UeF-H9noHZyNCsvt_w6BuDCCDuhCUi3ZTXuMWRVa193UwCCigE7WrbJlCANmD6fnSnxzaMEvSkhEPuVGRs4KO7e4lR-hR4xjdgWHA/s1600/IMG_0292.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRswUJum0fgmqgiM92tWDi6qhkkCvWUlvq4oqeXcGxXOZRGdLgNE6QrM65I3P0HxVVln3EI0IZufv0B1XS5fQH0r-6Oi-_hYTCrP0y2-_84slzJ9Wr_LRJmV-hk2Ux4WUDWm3RKsoaw/s1600/IMG_0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRswUJum0fgmqgiM92tWDi6qhkkCvWUlvq4oqeXcGxXOZRGdLgNE6QrM65I3P0HxVVln3EI0IZufv0B1XS5fQH0r-6Oi-_hYTCrP0y2-_84slzJ9Wr_LRJmV-hk2Ux4WUDWm3RKsoaw/s1600/IMG_0312.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-34457268102830450582013-08-26T18:30:00.001-04:002013-08-26T18:30:38.212-04:00Gardeners Can Change the World! Ecosystem Gardening!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Don't Mow! Grow! I have done much reading about gardening with native plants and ecosystem gardening. This past spring was the beginning of my serious attempt to make a difference with one of my yards. Even though I live in "the country" (for now--as urban sprawl continues this direction), my goal was to change my monoculture of grass-- my lawn into habitat. Less lawn means less mowing, less money, less pollution, and more biodiversity and beauty!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndqnofUmGja1xrNDiiTAzQXn8JGuI6s0ID4wDjKEU4VqbR_V6girjiwacUz0lwrDlenKttcVlwn9ydZnDYLZEr2DTh0b4kqjBOTBWfSfR69h2aOPo4cmZBNHaQYqubbWRHzVRb5RQ7g/s1600/2013+05+02_3495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndqnofUmGja1xrNDiiTAzQXn8JGuI6s0ID4wDjKEU4VqbR_V6girjiwacUz0lwrDlenKttcVlwn9ydZnDYLZEr2DTh0b4kqjBOTBWfSfR69h2aOPo4cmZBNHaQYqubbWRHzVRb5RQ7g/s400/2013+05+02_3495.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Tilling of East Yard</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">-Preparing Ground</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></a>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There is a great deal of info on the internet and I will share some really helpful sites at the end, but let's talk about some background.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gardeners can make a difference in a time when natural acreage is shrinking. We continue to have more people, more parking lots, strip malls, roads, etc. and less natural land and less biodiversity. Habitat that does exist is highly fragmented. Wildlife need food, shelter, and nest sites. Enter the gardener who can make a difference for wildlife by planting native plants, trees, and shrubs-- practicing what is known as ecosystem gardening.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A book I highly recommend is <i>Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants</i> by Doug Tallamy</span>. <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This book is an easy read about the reasons why you should create native plantings. Tallamy, a professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, states that the success of our plants/gardens will determine the diversity and numbers of wildlife that survive. Gardeners are who decide what plants they will grow on their properties and therefore the responsibility of our nation's biodiversity lies with us--the landowner/gardener.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGVLh1BBpD9l09FQCgLhwNF83-9IZmSU54LOAsz2cgcE4dD6wVFKGkw8ltJiArd4pa49voqXhp2dfM8HAiC3eEdR5nIckEBlnsrifYZwSn2OiwJ5USEjfeaU2ZQ1V_fyW2-8egLWJLQ/s1600/2013+05+02_3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGVLh1BBpD9l09FQCgLhwNF83-9IZmSU54LOAsz2cgcE4dD6wVFKGkw8ltJiArd4pa49voqXhp2dfM8HAiC3eEdR5nIckEBlnsrifYZwSn2OiwJ5USEjfeaU2ZQ1V_fyW2-8egLWJLQ/s400/2013+05+02_3514.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Ground Tilled--Seed Bank was released. I do not use herbicides or fertilizers </a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Biodiversity runs the ecosystem on which we depend. The more diverse our ecosystems are, the more services they provide us. Services they provide us include watershed protection, oxygen, carbon dioxide sequestration, water purification, soil building and stabilization, pollination services, garbage recycling, moderation of weather systems, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Human population continues to increase which means we need even more ecosystem services but as we kill off our biodiversity, we get fewer and fewer ecosystem services from them. Tallamy states, "Because 54% of the U.S. is now in a matrix of cities, suburbs, or fragmented habitat too small to sustain wildlife, and 41% is in agriculture, biodiversity will have to survive in those areas if it is to survive at all."</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzy5ege8GsduUUcMLtZCcIF7SCQuUCBuNQv5cMyHY9hyphenhyphenpF6N-lKOeuvK2ru-nadIDs3Z7wkgJn5dy-eMMmVajdN9IKoZR66jnD10gxI-QJz4hk6LbYFlxmEn7T0Er8BbVAoSyYGHFVw/s1600/IMG_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzy5ege8GsduUUcMLtZCcIF7SCQuUCBuNQv5cMyHY9hyphenhyphenpF6N-lKOeuvK2ru-nadIDs3Z7wkgJn5dy-eMMmVajdN9IKoZR66jnD10gxI-QJz4hk6LbYFlxmEn7T0Er8BbVAoSyYGHFVw/s400/IMG_0235.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Plants beginning to flourish-- Prince's Feather growing profusely!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Insects are the most important group of animals that transfer energy captured by plants to other animals. A food web soon collapses if insects are removed. Why? Because so many animals depend on them for food. According to Tallamy, "For example, 96% of all terrestrial birds rear their young on insects. No insects. No baby birds."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then there is the problem of introduced or invasive plants-- plants that evolved from outside of the United States but are planted here and often overrun the natives . Our native insects (90%) that eat plants require native plants to complete their development. These insects have a co-evolved with these plants. They have not been exposed to plants from Asia or Europe for a long enough period to develop adaptations necessary to use them for host plants. Tallamy says, "Every time we plant an introduced plant, we are reducing the local insect population and thus depriving the birds and wildlife of the food they need to survive and reproduce.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuXFSMnJepyTyNP8WaKC_R5eqbNbEXUHRGqJESppsEJQOYX_tkzv0M9Exm2OPJaLCDAVdymEEJ4YI2YueEL-Ad9YHVXR_yCoy7Au5bK56r2-Lm4nnU-ZdxpBCuT21Qek0GCNZg-HEJw/s1600/IMG_0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuXFSMnJepyTyNP8WaKC_R5eqbNbEXUHRGqJESppsEJQOYX_tkzv0M9Exm2OPJaLCDAVdymEEJ4YI2YueEL-Ad9YHVXR_yCoy7Au5bK56r2-Lm4nnU-ZdxpBCuT21Qek0GCNZg-HEJw/s400/IMG_0302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Plants peaking. The smaller in height plants are not visible.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I am very pleased with my plot of native plants. I hired a local man to till 90% of my east yard. I knew this would disturb the seed bank of plants lying dormant in the soil and I would grow many plants that were not what I preferred but was content to see what would grow. I do not use herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. I refuse to put these chemicals into the ecosystem regardless of "safe claims". I want a natural area so natural it will be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I bought wildflower seed mixes from <a href="http://www.prairiemoon.com/" target="_blank">Prairie Moon Nursery</a> and after the tilling, I hand broadcasted the seed mixes. I also planted Sunflowers to add additional bloom and food for birds and pollinators. A few of the species in the PDQ Mix were Purple Coneflower, Wild Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Purple
Prairie Clover, and Yellow Coneflower. Early Summer: Foxglove
Beardtongue, Early Sunflower Side Oats Grama, and Little Bluestem. Fall: Showy
Goldenrod, Sky Blue Aster and Little Bluestem Grass</span>. <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also tried planting Common Milkweed-- a great plant for Monarch Butterflies! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I allow the field behind my house to grow wild. I keep it mowed every 2-3 years to stop the process of succession-- the growth of woody plants (although it is a battle with Locust tree saplings). The most common plants that grow in my field are Goldenrod, Ironweed, and Common Milkweed. All are great prairie plantings for your garden or property as these support many wildlife species.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Did you know that the best plant for Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) is Goldenrod?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Goldenrod (<i>Solidago</i>), supports 115 species of butterflies and moths! Plant use by butterflies and moths is correlated with high usage by other insects and wildlife as well.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIc9vgiCTgZpiwDrAViJxZ8YwTJ_TtFBzuHFZ_otIvyulevFdwlz9iBo9h66BqGYnl-71NIDXWleKFlI5XM_Mu8xXt633jnhodWrjuPcqI0TAjUVRUwp62vvkkHUoHtWZ9l7PTeKYlA/s1600/2012+09+11_1103e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIc9vgiCTgZpiwDrAViJxZ8YwTJ_TtFBzuHFZ_otIvyulevFdwlz9iBo9h66BqGYnl-71NIDXWleKFlI5XM_Mu8xXt633jnhodWrjuPcqI0TAjUVRUwp62vvkkHUoHtWZ9l7PTeKYlA/s400/2012+09+11_1103e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Goldenrod growing in late summer in my field</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Besides all the benefits I have discussed in this blog post, the other benefits for me are the stunning beauty on my property, the knowledge that I am making a difference, the increased biodiversity, less time and money spent mowing lawn that supports virtually nothing, interesting dramas that occur every day with the bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, katydids, anglewings, pollinating flies, songbirds, frogs, toads, mammals, caterpillars, etc. using my prairie area for cover, shelter, food, nesting, and life cycle completion. And lastly, it is a prolific source for my nature photography!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmDWiUlnEUbJR-MDAY6yo2TPSDub1JKmqNBRvclV_RhE_79NOr8eiBb-v8YjQnTIHdayA37Moaas4DQn4Pg_Qop38ngFs81VwQDWQQFza4lKAyo3h2uXNc2Va89dVJ8yj3_O8duHt4g/s1600/_NAT0034_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmDWiUlnEUbJR-MDAY6yo2TPSDub1JKmqNBRvclV_RhE_79NOr8eiBb-v8YjQnTIHdayA37Moaas4DQn4Pg_Qop38ngFs81VwQDWQQFza4lKAyo3h2uXNc2Va89dVJ8yj3_O8duHt4g/s400/_NAT0034_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Cope's Gray Treefrog Resting Inside a Leaf of a Plant</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggV9sc0mpBJgDTNRiUj22-qr8SIOA697vFIBlxLRtuoysWVEUwiS09y3Lt6C5OAqYEhpd4HIcrwc04RYytilABbDuAQ1jVDnrKWIoS_QbFjJckfgKr0CIWVWJik8UWHn00jOYHEuLXw/s1600/2013+07+20_4054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggV9sc0mpBJgDTNRiUj22-qr8SIOA697vFIBlxLRtuoysWVEUwiS09y3Lt6C5OAqYEhpd4HIcrwc04RYytilABbDuAQ1jVDnrKWIoS_QbFjJckfgKr0CIWVWJik8UWHn00jOYHEuLXw/s400/2013+07+20_4054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Pollinators at Work on Sunflower-- Laden with Pollen!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokACDT3ICBzCbBRdKio2vhVSpXCZ20r7NaHOmya1GqrUEPeNQMJFSNvLr3DUR8pYCHs1LofRugVMJoIGNEGR8SSg5XTt6gj64IctgInGqcdwUJR7UE-X32BFDRBKo-ASlG3xSb9PENg/s1600/2013+08+11_4338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokACDT3ICBzCbBRdKio2vhVSpXCZ20r7NaHOmya1GqrUEPeNQMJFSNvLr3DUR8pYCHs1LofRugVMJoIGNEGR8SSg5XTt6gj64IctgInGqcdwUJR7UE-X32BFDRBKo-ASlG3xSb9PENg/s400/2013+08+11_4338.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhc53r-LKp7c118pqVPhIQ_iM7w797JRauJi-8BpgrENI2B7DWVD0PKW-QUPoAhoEfwZGlWZgXnBafjVDGn__hKffC_wmPV6idg7AEXMfu9uOOlCFWvweTSFbZD8eyflGCejUd19YaA/s1600/2013+07+21_4212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhc53r-LKp7c118pqVPhIQ_iM7w797JRauJi-8BpgrENI2B7DWVD0PKW-QUPoAhoEfwZGlWZgXnBafjVDGn__hKffC_wmPV6idg7AEXMfu9uOOlCFWvweTSFbZD8eyflGCejUd19YaA/s400/2013+07+21_4212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Early Morning in the Native Garden</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qyWlvFQjrJv5daisEORJt44vc2qNRhxPo-Fxcyq5kKL9_pGfwpErdA2UY-JaTyzvpmzMrsgWIixTdwmMo3qdIhed8YuDilyZswcoIIg9krg_peAcjeLJbzUiQIyBsqincZ9FaGZnEw/s1600/2013+08+03_4265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qyWlvFQjrJv5daisEORJt44vc2qNRhxPo-Fxcyq5kKL9_pGfwpErdA2UY-JaTyzvpmzMrsgWIixTdwmMo3qdIhed8YuDilyZswcoIIg9krg_peAcjeLJbzUiQIyBsqincZ9FaGZnEw/s400/2013+08+03_4265.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Male American Goldfinch Feeding on Sunflower</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSxpjHnQ4UWYQC7z69ahejH-JV8GQe6ioG3TcFtCDXcPGuERJ_O5CzBlg-5hs8yOnHUvzfgUuTZsEOdhk9lUzzpfcHjeLOI36ZCOc_CqBq_EQzmwXThABsgaUEDI8jzu-2er-Dx22EQ/s1600/2013+07+26_4219ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSxpjHnQ4UWYQC7z69ahejH-JV8GQe6ioG3TcFtCDXcPGuERJ_O5CzBlg-5hs8yOnHUvzfgUuTZsEOdhk9lUzzpfcHjeLOI36ZCOc_CqBq_EQzmwXThABsgaUEDI8jzu-2er-Dx22EQ/s400/2013+07+26_4219ed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Beauty in my Prairie</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8AzTt-LV1Ez9L6ZUi-JgNnTTZaCY3taoN_YwFXM21GPfvIvnLaRc2R5dWZZS85bKP4vPNY9zCc0W4Cz-j_LY4QIYii3hGJoFeEQJoqM-rpXPArYbwKaSSNNzxTalaawR6SqqfEJtQQ/s1600/_NAT0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8AzTt-LV1Ez9L6ZUi-JgNnTTZaCY3taoN_YwFXM21GPfvIvnLaRc2R5dWZZS85bKP4vPNY9zCc0W4Cz-j_LY4QIYii3hGJoFeEQJoqM-rpXPArYbwKaSSNNzxTalaawR6SqqfEJtQQ/s400/_NAT0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Bee To Partridge Pea</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope the information provided will help you rethink the way you garden or landscape your yard. My native plant plot required very little work. The only time I weeded was when I noticed Ragweed growing and I pulled it. I also know many of the plants people consider "weeds" are some of the best plants. Remember--weeds are simply plants growing where someone does not want them.<br />
<br />
Start small. Perhaps do a small flower bed. Instead of designing where you will develop flowerbeds in your large lawn, design where you need lawn for walking areas and place the rest in native plants, trees, and/or shrubs.<br />
We are in late summer with autumn approaching. This is a great time to begin to prepare the areas for planting. Be sure and check out the "How to Grow a Prairie From Seed" below for details on how to prepare & plant your ground. I plan to place more lawn into native plantings. I have shady areas that I can tackle next in the front of the house and more sun/shade area in the west yard. Be the change you wish to see and start planning! Let Nature take over while you sit back and enjoy the biodiversity!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Helpful Links</span></b>: <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(These are tremendous resources!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/top-10-herbaceous-plants-to-attract-wildlife-to-your-ecosystem-garden.html" target="_blank">Top 10 Herbaceous Plants to Attract Wildlife to Your Ecosystem Garden</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/top-10-best-woody-plants-in-conservation-gardening.html" target="_blank">Top 10 Woody Plants in Ecosystem Gardening</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.prairiemoon.com/how-to-grow-a-prairie-from-seed" target="_blank">How To Grow a Prairie From Seed *</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/" target="_blank">Beautiful Wildlife Garden</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/" target="_blank">Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.wildones.org/" target="_blank">Wild Ones</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.plantanative.com/" target="_blank">Doug Tallamy: Plant Native </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/doug-tallamy-conservation-gardening-hero.html" target="_blank">Doug Tallamy: Ecosystem Gardening Hero</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.inpaws.org/" target="_blank">Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS)</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://www.mipn.org/" target="_blank">Midwest Invasive Plant Network </a></b></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.prairiemoon.com/" target="_blank">Prairie Moon Nursery</a> </span></b>(Great Interactive Guide to Proper Selection of Plants & Seed/Plant Source) <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.cardnojfnew.com/" target="_blank">Cardno JFNew:</a></span></b> (Seed Source & a Great Interactive Guide for selecting appropriate plants for your site)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/" target="_blank">Go Botany:</a></span></b> ID Key for Plants <br />
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-34932766468835897482013-08-24T14:18:00.000-04:002013-08-24T14:27:22.886-04:00Betrayed by the Shadow<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was the shadow that betrayed its presence. Backlighting by the sun created a shadow on the leaf. This Cope's Gray Treefrog was revealed-- hiding in the leaf of a Prince's Feather (Amaranthus sp.) in my native wildflower plot. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I thought about Shadow & Light in our lives and remembered this beautiful poem by the mystical poet Rumi --</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5G4x_9gTKOJbuL-MUIjJl9jXUiu1uD-6CjXm2z5SoBQ4ZySzWcCrho7EicxujUCG_qT-2FOXGlvVH27i1oXtF8zJ0b_2Uonk2UKp38KvaUvyCC4YiHYVm-MWGRpxo79qdOtQwt8k6A/s1600/_NAT0034_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5G4x_9gTKOJbuL-MUIjJl9jXUiu1uD-6CjXm2z5SoBQ4ZySzWcCrho7EicxujUCG_qT-2FOXGlvVH27i1oXtF8zJ0b_2Uonk2UKp38KvaUvyCC4YiHYVm-MWGRpxo79qdOtQwt8k6A/s640/_NAT0034_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Cope's Gray Treefrog</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <b>Shadow and Light Source Both</b><br /><br />How does a part of the world leave the world?<br />How does wetness leave water?<br /><br />Don't try to put out fire by throwing on<br />more fire! Don't wash a wound with blood.<br /><br />No matter how fast you run, your shadow<br />keeps up. Sometimes it's in front!<br /><br />Only full overhead sun diminishes your shadow.<br />But that shadow has been serving you.<br /><br />What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is<br />your candle. Your boundaries are your quest.<br /><br />I could explain this, but it will break the<br />glass cover on your heart, and there's no<br />fixing that.<br /><br />You must have shadow and light source both.<br />Listen, and lay your head under the tree of awe.<br /><br />When from that tree feathers and wings sprout on you,<br />be quieter than a dove. Don't even open your mouth for<br />even a coo.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span class="author-label">Rumi</span> (1207 - 1273)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-30372691673229133162013-08-09T17:53:00.000-04:002013-08-09T17:55:19.118-04:00Raptor Rendezvous: The Annual Indiana Raptor Center Fundraiser Event<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I want to share information about a great event! The Indiana Raptor Center is located in Brown County, Indiana. They devote their lives to the care and rehabilitation of injured and ill raptors. The IRC also educates the public about the importance of these magnificent birds and their lives. Much time and money is spent 24/7-- 365 days a week caring for their residents of owls, hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I want to encourage readers to attend this event and if you can't . . . donate money or supplies to the cause! Here is the info--</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ck0S6IlvAB9d-0wCxanR1XIrU6Kw1AoSyKR96LYwn2RWfjM-DlyGXHoRvIaqBkecxd01wKBLw_678ciSZID2Fx7-e8gbIx6o4YokSgUV2ruMHxkLajiwQRjjsc9inmL8LgHeY1fPew/s1600/2012+06+14_9210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ck0S6IlvAB9d-0wCxanR1XIrU6Kw1AoSyKR96LYwn2RWfjM-DlyGXHoRvIaqBkecxd01wKBLw_678ciSZID2Fx7-e8gbIx6o4YokSgUV2ruMHxkLajiwQRjjsc9inmL8LgHeY1fPew/s400/2012+06+14_9210.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is Elmo--Barred Owl. I photographed him at an event.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The annual
Indiana Raptor Center fundraiser event, Raptor Rendezvous, happens this year on
September 7 at the Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We
have<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>a new event format that
includes dinner, cash bar, an amazing bird program with birds of prey from 5
different rehabilitation and education centers, a silent auction with local
art/craft and gourmet items, and a raffle of artwork!!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come join us for the fun!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Doors open, including cash bar and silent auction
browsing, at 6:00 PM</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dinner
buffet starts at 6:30 PM</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Program
from 7 – 9:15 PM</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Includes breaks for auction
browsing, raffle ticket and merchandise purchase, visits to bar</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Raffle
results and silent auction results from 9:15 – 9:30</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tickets are $28 per person </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">and can be purchased from Indiana Raptor Center:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Phone credit card to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">812-988-8990</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Send check to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PO Box 1153 Nashville IN 47448</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Paypal to <a href="http://www.indianaraptorcenter.org/">www.indianaraptorcenter.org</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tickets MUST be purchased by August 24</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ticket holders
will receive the following</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Name on greeting
list</span></b> at Brown
County State Park North Gate for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">free park
admission</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dinner and
dessert</span></b> at the
Raptor Rendezvous Mexican buffet</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Admission</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to Raptor Rendezvous program, silent
auction, raffle, and cool vending</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span>Two
rows of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">up-front program seating for
photographers</span></b>,
flash permitted</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A tax deduction</span></b> letter for $12 of each ticket purchased!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One free ticket</span></b> if you arrange for a table of 10
attendees!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Please
come help support our rescue and education efforts - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">have
a fun Saturday night - </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">and
do some early Christmas shopping!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">THE BIRDS ARE COUNTING ON YOU !!</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cash or check donations, as
always, are tax deductible.</span></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-16722217091645545072013-08-04T18:33:00.000-04:002013-08-04T18:33:05.054-04:00A Return-- Photographic Study of American Lotus Leaves<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have been absent from my blog for quite some time now. Most recently I have been photographing American Lotus plants at a local pond. I appreciate the owners generosity in allowing me access to this site.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of the many things I enjoy when photographing is finding a subject and photographing the details of my subject-- seeing it from different perspectives, angles, light, shapes, and parts. Enjoy these images of this marvelous (although prolific) plant of shallow waters. In this study I am sharing images of the leaves/pads. Perhaps more later . . . of flowers & pollinators!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUdeNThufAzu9Gx9BZGhbcIQsllWYX7wsugJLwQ7bgRfZFVqiuWJ9mUl6vnMV-ZwgtSuz5QSQi9QsVTzCe35VgNLgtolHw3uwjP4yR-0xFKyKp_x_zUkOpve2W81uq29gA-X2mFzPVQ/s1600/2013+07+25_4168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUdeNThufAzu9Gx9BZGhbcIQsllWYX7wsugJLwQ7bgRfZFVqiuWJ9mUl6vnMV-ZwgtSuz5QSQi9QsVTzCe35VgNLgtolHw3uwjP4yR-0xFKyKp_x_zUkOpve2W81uq29gA-X2mFzPVQ/s640/2013+07+25_4168.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Curling American Lotus Leaf & Reflection</a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMm6ldszJtOJa1txVeCNY_dA-JnagGXXy2-DmUxwATE9dJnNnCxpZ2JhdAAt5NsWOo0nATD-yndkpGh7Ly64ThDiTFyUUNGtl3YNE43pjOuLcixidtX3yi_-dZGgRvGNuDnnLef7Fjg/s1600/2013+07+20_4102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMm6ldszJtOJa1txVeCNY_dA-JnagGXXy2-DmUxwATE9dJnNnCxpZ2JhdAAt5NsWOo0nATD-yndkpGh7Ly64ThDiTFyUUNGtl3YNE43pjOuLcixidtX3yi_-dZGgRvGNuDnnLef7Fjg/s640/2013+07+20_4102.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Lotus Leaf & Damselflies</a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqGphh1JfT_0OuM6wSWNwhz2gN1ZV97FhRI3UFEWcOGQ9k64cfkFFMHTq-R8VbM-1_JuY8JS_6JKBz0MEHf7sH-YptyIQecJB9hTDKOGkwZXG6LNzm89HK4nv_kE-j9vKl3UwHx6wvA/s1600/2013+07+25_4178ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqGphh1JfT_0OuM6wSWNwhz2gN1ZV97FhRI3UFEWcOGQ9k64cfkFFMHTq-R8VbM-1_JuY8JS_6JKBz0MEHf7sH-YptyIQecJB9hTDKOGkwZXG6LNzm89HK4nv_kE-j9vKl3UwHx6wvA/s640/2013+07+25_4178ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Patterns in Lotus Leaf</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>"The Maker of this earth but patented a leaf."-- Henry David Thoreau</b></span></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-48228195427735207502013-02-02T20:05:00.001-05:002013-02-02T20:05:06.089-05:00Pine Trees--Free From Blame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>PINE TREE GROVE</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love to saunter through a pine tree grove. The deep needle bed below my feet in inviting. It beckons me to come lie below the arching drapes of green branches as the earth cushions me. The rush of wind through the needles wraps itself around me and I feel comforted. All is well as I melt into Nature. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY9tZd96tiEXEQBWIQVvwr3mjdqpt2eHULwCw0oGjcyqj5ncpSwmEAhWfT6gCMxYNbQhA0LeoqC8e0_vqKHa_BaG7_KJqDVGiSrZ1DULNfMVVU4s-camsLotFCAej9qlv06DGLoNP_A/s1600/2012+12+07_2516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY9tZd96tiEXEQBWIQVvwr3mjdqpt2eHULwCw0oGjcyqj5ncpSwmEAhWfT6gCMxYNbQhA0LeoqC8e0_vqKHa_BaG7_KJqDVGiSrZ1DULNfMVVU4s-camsLotFCAej9qlv06DGLoNP_A/s640/2012+12+07_2516.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Joni L. James Photography/HeronWatch Nature Programs</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Nothing stands up more free from blame in this world than a pine tree.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-- Henry David Thoreau</div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-25338519648607997352013-01-18T10:36:00.000-05:002013-01-18T10:36:13.722-05:0016th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count 2013<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The 2013 GBBC is coming in February!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img alt="GBBCblogbutton_1_2013-5.gif" class="image-inline" src="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/press/2013-web-buttons/GBBCblogbutton_1_2013-5.gif/image_preview" /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc" target="_blank">GBBC Website</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hey Birdwatchers! The <b>Great Backyard Bird Count</b> is an annual 4-day event that engages bird
watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where
the birds are. This citizen science program contributes to bird conservation and
research.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Everyone is welcome--from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as
little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each
day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Participants tally the number of individual birds of each species they see
during their count period. They enter these numbers on the GBBC website.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Locally, I will be conducting a <b>GBBC Workshop on February 5, 2013</b> from 6:30-8:30 pm at the County Administration Bldg. in Martinsville, Indiana through the Morgan County Soil & Water Conservation District. The workshop will include info on how to collect and input data and identify
birds. It is <u>free</u> but we would like you to register by calling 765-349-2060.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you are <u>not</u> in this area, please take time to participate! It can take as little as 15 minutes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For more info on the GBBC: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc" target="_blank">www.birdsource.org/gbbc</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I will post reminders in the future! You can also LIKE my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> and follow news, photos, education, & happenings</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is a great citizen science project to be involved in and help contribute to science and conservation! </span>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-32684712144303906372013-01-13T15:14:00.002-05:002013-01-13T15:14:21.714-05:00Beauty of Tree Tops<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjLEVJrIIfUAuT-8ctz0Ka5_GTh0zwMTXVcN4oNZZwY4U_AZNBV8sUr2eFEv7na5FBQaa_SkORifQ95BTWxzWvtCLx-np3s97Dm4dvpfANSTUpzju-OU6YWHRPtnbpBe4PTcqcuBa1g/s1600/2012+12+07_2524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjLEVJrIIfUAuT-8ctz0Ka5_GTh0zwMTXVcN4oNZZwY4U_AZNBV8sUr2eFEv7na5FBQaa_SkORifQ95BTWxzWvtCLx-np3s97Dm4dvpfANSTUpzju-OU6YWHRPtnbpBe4PTcqcuBa1g/s640/2012+12+07_2524.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Joni L. James/HeronWatch Nature Programs</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i><b>Nothing is so beautiful as the tree tops.</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> -- Henry David Thoreau</span>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-5065936661629224572012-12-26T18:29:00.000-05:002012-12-26T18:29:06.285-05:00Blizzard 2012 <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I will let the images speak for the beauty of the earth . . . </b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ70myDnH5BOwUltyG_nMtvIXeZ9Q-HR8YGIyK8BxuFfAyE1BDMRQhjMHEuJ7DTt-62c9d1fpXrmkXnoBlsV-qIT-ruILx53zUhCEFbGyubm38zG_1C9nwkJc4W734AW54nmZYqj09w/s1600/2012+12+26_2646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ70myDnH5BOwUltyG_nMtvIXeZ9Q-HR8YGIyK8BxuFfAyE1BDMRQhjMHEuJ7DTt-62c9d1fpXrmkXnoBlsV-qIT-ruILx53zUhCEFbGyubm38zG_1C9nwkJc4W734AW54nmZYqj09w/s640/2012+12+26_2646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Pre-dawn image outside my window</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUQ3IwBkwv1xm5kpurflofKJUu6AzBF-PnzZ6gTIxSdVT7lU6aTRcyOscU7WNUfEvw59q0TT0jJ87s5WpYTqcQbFIQBu-TLR18WzmiGqDjrMkMah_8yv68QgnCQxmPtvAs-iOIc7ftQ/s1600/2012+12+26_2647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUQ3IwBkwv1xm5kpurflofKJUu6AzBF-PnzZ6gTIxSdVT7lU6aTRcyOscU7WNUfEvw59q0TT0jJ87s5WpYTqcQbFIQBu-TLR18WzmiGqDjrMkMah_8yv68QgnCQxmPtvAs-iOIc7ftQ/s640/2012+12+26_2647.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Red Cedars Across the Road</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6ZM8e-S4dZELiRbxNByyjUaSdX-gAYD6zc73rTQRWqYuJilqiPgazqArjDi057J3F1-2yO1ZE-iCGYFBzTvi0vS12fOY_ge7xzLbiFFjY7j4P7C6wuf1rAzWmzWjFSl3QYRPpGsbUw/s1600/2012+12+26_2649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6ZM8e-S4dZELiRbxNByyjUaSdX-gAYD6zc73rTQRWqYuJilqiPgazqArjDi057J3F1-2yO1ZE-iCGYFBzTvi0vS12fOY_ge7xzLbiFFjY7j4P7C6wuf1rAzWmzWjFSl3QYRPpGsbUw/s640/2012+12+26_2649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaT2T-kSU53iNsFPW_6gRyblK2kn7jmRwLula0QxaulbddqVrsk_B7uwqYKuzgbvGhgVMnQPWE6Vc8ocTr2ogWpdduzkYQCvw1-UK8sOcoYgN6HNCyIDKgMQ0WtEumfB1oPW8zczqNg/s1600/2012+12+26_2651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaT2T-kSU53iNsFPW_6gRyblK2kn7jmRwLula0QxaulbddqVrsk_B7uwqYKuzgbvGhgVMnQPWE6Vc8ocTr2ogWpdduzkYQCvw1-UK8sOcoYgN6HNCyIDKgMQ0WtEumfB1oPW8zczqNg/s640/2012+12+26_2651.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Road in Front of My House</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-89545164510879857372012-12-24T08:26:00.001-05:002012-12-24T08:26:11.537-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBizZ-RhiLyP3rqQCqEOSvW-UxXGSujfuedbLG-2MlhZfJ2i_tKinT-LcdHpcMW7sMsyGYS7FnZR4U3myC0USFt3M3zoeikG3zGjy0lRlIXysdo84iBUo6lXszNNrSn4yc9In6HwTmSw/s1600/Christmas+Card+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBizZ-RhiLyP3rqQCqEOSvW-UxXGSujfuedbLG-2MlhZfJ2i_tKinT-LcdHpcMW7sMsyGYS7FnZR4U3myC0USFt3M3zoeikG3zGjy0lRlIXysdo84iBUo6lXszNNrSn4yc9In6HwTmSw/s640/Christmas+Card+2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">My Facebook Page</a></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-68301897344846303372012-12-21T17:57:00.002-05:002012-12-21T17:57:45.795-05:00Eagles Fly In Indiana--Morgan County<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eagles fly. . . and nest in Indiana. It is not unusual to see these magnificent raptors in most areas of Indiana. Before the recovery program began in 1985 in Indiana, these birds had not nested in the state since 1897. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Between 1870 and 1970, over-hunting, habitat loss, and the now banned pesticide, DDT, were largely to blame for the eagle's rapidly declining population. Nesting Bald Eagles were extirpated by 1900. In 1985 Indiana's efforts to restore them began when 73 young bald eagles were reintroduced at Lake Monroe within a four year span. In 1991, the first successful nest was documented.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 2007, the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalous) was removed from the state's endangered species list Today 100 pairs have been documented. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANd3W_Rci7Gn8MDchw68na-QLuyvjU_RFNVX9Lph-QIYuAkz9_0396-THd3el-xoOO_gf4OA3KYxnYFIl30wFNbWswaoIdAZZA28TnNS5AGZUugesUEVbp2QXlWo0IbEC1QpV5ihsog/s1600/2012+10+21_1531+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANd3W_Rci7Gn8MDchw68na-QLuyvjU_RFNVX9Lph-QIYuAkz9_0396-THd3el-xoOO_gf4OA3KYxnYFIl30wFNbWswaoIdAZZA28TnNS5AGZUugesUEVbp2QXlWo0IbEC1QpV5ihsog/s640/2012+10+21_1531+jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I believe was the last helicopter survey done by Division of Fish & Wildlife in 2010, documented active nests at four areas in Morgan County.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reports of immature and adult bald eagles are frequent within Morgan County, Indiana. A couple of months ago I was driving near downtown Martinsville and pulled over to watch an adult with its white head & tail reflecting the sunlight, soaring low overhead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can access my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> to view photos I took recently of one of the nesting pairs near my home perched in a tree. I was able to photograph it from the road. This pair has nested five consecutive years in the same location.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq08EU9okfQPq1P28whNl61gGmpQZ-RfWW1dgot37gZkNKbMmCc_S-0t0zuiKDMesReYkW4A42o6_G-6Dp5RUrYw0UkeHr-Ji5PiV6aE_048MsJhLEPfW8SQ7-dpiP_y2cosu5WGuPg/s1600/2012+10+21_1530+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq08EU9okfQPq1P28whNl61gGmpQZ-RfWW1dgot37gZkNKbMmCc_S-0t0zuiKDMesReYkW4A42o6_G-6Dp5RUrYw0UkeHr-Ji5PiV6aE_048MsJhLEPfW8SQ7-dpiP_y2cosu5WGuPg/s640/2012+10+21_1530+jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The eagles in these images were photographed from the road as I was driving on Burton Lane near Indian Creek. I have to thank one of my nieces for alerting me to their presence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Bald Eagle has five recognizable different plumages: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Juvenile: First Year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basic I: Second Year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basic II: Third Year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basic III: Fourth Year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adult: Its fifth plumage when four years old</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(<i>Raptors of Eastern North America</i>: Brian K. Wheeler)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can find out more about Bald Eagles at <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bald_Eagle/id" target="_blank">Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvaNdfasRDQR1uvQchnd-F4KAdCfrU_GnaLNQuiVR5uQb4hVI1Lyya2U5uQmbiTGLSpyMmHdHPgWi0WBdYf_HGC3Oo7LURQBgL-PJnJwe7A3uPrAM-O_0YTkf8_QdlJp7geHVFkWIGQ/s1600/2012+10+21_1553+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvaNdfasRDQR1uvQchnd-F4KAdCfrU_GnaLNQuiVR5uQb4hVI1Lyya2U5uQmbiTGLSpyMmHdHPgWi0WBdYf_HGC3Oo7LURQBgL-PJnJwe7A3uPrAM-O_0YTkf8_QdlJp7geHVFkWIGQ/s640/2012+10+21_1553+jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-66799580395688551362012-12-12T20:38:00.002-05:002012-12-12T20:38:16.400-05:00One Leaf: Forever Go In Search Of Myself<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me forever go in search of myself--never for a moment think that I have found myself--be as a stranger to myself, never a familiar, seeking acquaintance still.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> -- Henry David Thoreau ( July 16, 1851--Journal Vol.3, p. 312)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqcl26y_nqHDqNki_SeVgu9n2RYbQxULyRon4gcRR2TqdlsBJIBtH2rIhT6OgQLICD_4b9irI4YMH_ysLsT7I8WBSZ6Wu1JaAyurX1slCm-qf5ag2viyapwrxs9Bw69-kgP1VvB58rQ/s1600/2012+10+17_1471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqcl26y_nqHDqNki_SeVgu9n2RYbQxULyRon4gcRR2TqdlsBJIBtH2rIhT6OgQLICD_4b9irI4YMH_ysLsT7I8WBSZ6Wu1JaAyurX1slCm-qf5ag2viyapwrxs9Bw69-kgP1VvB58rQ/s640/2012+10+17_1471.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames" target="_blank">One Leaf--Search for Myself</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
LIKE my Facebook Page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms</a>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-68303756579814602982012-12-07T13:01:00.001-05:002012-12-07T13:01:23.636-05:00Blemishes of Imperfection<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many nature photographers would choose to clone out the blemish on the red maple leaf. But there is a beauty in this lack of perfection. It is a reminder that Life is not perfect and many times those "blemishes" that make Life less than perfect possess a beauty and blessing all their own-- not to be realized right away.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4n5rt4gki0T8SpjEJaJ1vP8hRo1qtDONVen-4DaGXK_8G-DSuaMk7Jx8JW_MrgIUfphyphenhyphenEvbPBp_EKbIwSu2HAFS1H6yh6o98-R8ypD-Ug4JFlbCSUkmXABrVqxf5TEDayXsLoncRYg/s1600/2012+10+18_1506jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4n5rt4gki0T8SpjEJaJ1vP8hRo1qtDONVen-4DaGXK_8G-DSuaMk7Jx8JW_MrgIUfphyphenhyphenEvbPBp_EKbIwSu2HAFS1H6yh6o98-R8ypD-Ug4JFlbCSUkmXABrVqxf5TEDayXsLoncRYg/s640/2012+10+18_1506jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Autumn Maple Leaves</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">LIKE my Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms </a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-73099446351166067402012-12-01T18:33:00.001-05:002012-12-01T18:33:28.588-05:00Rainbow<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">“The true harvest of my life is
intangible - a little star dust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have
clutched”</span></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">-- Henry David Thoreau</span></h1>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnefNaiBLMFCK04MKab9mm-nyVXAbBfCq2v4BH3Yif17JYnC-sS0pgQzc9qzwTIp353yfSz87Nz96OtrSwRGaSGQyLFYXqyYQ4xqIDpdhNx7Yxo9rdewf_PgiTnufC44kpWv7KcuJauQ/s1600/2012+10+17_1477+JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnefNaiBLMFCK04MKab9mm-nyVXAbBfCq2v4BH3Yif17JYnC-sS0pgQzc9qzwTIp353yfSz87Nz96OtrSwRGaSGQyLFYXqyYQ4xqIDpdhNx7Yxo9rdewf_PgiTnufC44kpWv7KcuJauQ/s640/2012+10+17_1477+JPG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Double Rainbow</a> <a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/" target="_blank">Joni L. James</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-28029316380691560372012-11-26T19:34:00.001-05:002012-11-26T19:34:50.379-05:00Sandhill Cranes: First Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I heard them coming last night. I could hear them even in the house. The sun set only a few moments before. I rushed outside with camera and scope. The platoons arrived from the north, circled, and landed in the shallow "lake" next to my property. They began feeding-- probing in the mud for fine arthropods and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is why we must preserve habitat. Migrating birds depend upon areas in which they can safely stopover on their journeys for food, shelter, and water. Various species require various habitats. Some may require wetlands, others forests, prairies, grasslands, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first group had 71, the second group 65, and the third group was 25. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">161 Sandhill Cranes migrating southward spent the night to rest. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ODUkdIF_Y548tERwDAa_-sFs7qHr9sVe_aXpu6f7qRJ85JoCUoxjqvIAmrGLBaGrwxwAE_oeyh-YykvoZxsGY9dhp6xsk7-8ZlWryUr_Yy_uHEb23bqnEiegNw7izWyDFH9L3fJirw/s1600/2012+11+25_2250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ODUkdIF_Y548tERwDAa_-sFs7qHr9sVe_aXpu6f7qRJ85JoCUoxjqvIAmrGLBaGrwxwAE_oeyh-YykvoZxsGY9dhp6xsk7-8ZlWryUr_Yy_uHEb23bqnEiegNw7izWyDFH9L3fJirw/s640/2012+11+25_2250.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Sandhill Cranes Arrive</a> in Morgan County, Indiana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM3aWS4pTzMJEN-n62ECtA9PYoCMejb49BctQ_NJNIcJ5EJDWhmF0UEDe6hD54eVT56xxaEhzSmIZmQz2hLKXK_qLd15SnVHbVklHNzQoMBsitBz9jWnikJV-WM7KyKy6MjsyKYNnnQ/s1600/2012+11+25_2241+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM3aWS4pTzMJEN-n62ECtA9PYoCMejb49BctQ_NJNIcJ5EJDWhmF0UEDe6hD54eVT56xxaEhzSmIZmQz2hLKXK_qLd15SnVHbVklHNzQoMBsitBz9jWnikJV-WM7KyKy6MjsyKYNnnQ/s640/2012+11+25_2241+copyright.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">Sandhill Cranes Prepare to Spend the Night</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I awoke at 6:00 am and prepared to venture out to photograph the cranes. Based on past experience with Sandhills, they wait until the sunlight illuminates them and then they take flight. It was chilly this morning-- 28 degrees. I carefully walked to where I would have a clear view and sat down in the frosty grass between a cedar and a sapling. It was 7:15 am. I photographed occasionally in the dim light awaiting the sun. It was scheduled to rise at 7:59 am. Finally it began to break through the trees, slowly illuminating the cranes which were more northerly along the water's edge. It crept. The cranes were awakening-- shaking feathers and exercising their wings. At 9:10 am, I left my spot and walked slowly around the bend to get a closer view. I kept myself between the cranes and the sun so the light was in their eyes. Better for hiding my movements. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I set the tripod down and began photographing. The cranes began talking to each other and the conversation became louder. I knew it was time. In a flash they began taking off in groups-- gaining altitude, circling, and then winging to the south. Many miles awaited them. Safe traveling my friends. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXG0AlnagXTpv4tcvJMKlh7R_15pOHBUA_FCjrxMteA8-80_bZncdaPWroblagSbnHFYvyeKuNXEA7NeUCY3ovadQ0bM2sO3w6TG2Vh1WtsZ6I4scyObKakEUNalxR7tcWdPEs_Po0w/s1600/2012+11+26_2308+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXG0AlnagXTpv4tcvJMKlh7R_15pOHBUA_FCjrxMteA8-80_bZncdaPWroblagSbnHFYvyeKuNXEA7NeUCY3ovadQ0bM2sO3w6TG2Vh1WtsZ6I4scyObKakEUNalxR7tcWdPEs_Po0w/s640/2012+11+26_2308+copyright.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/" target="_blank">Sandhill Cranes Waking Up in Sunlight</a><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbriu1-MrcKsYBIneIQKu34IZuQ2ENngJ96wJ9TsD_Wd-WMtyjPo6QLRYzHaJBdR5KLHf3hIxo_uQqcPxlGn8dy3CWOgPnNopvHUgBp7Ks8CKLurp7EDBLORlKRS68g8iKJNowO9SWQ/s1600/2012+11+26_2329+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbriu1-MrcKsYBIneIQKu34IZuQ2ENngJ96wJ9TsD_Wd-WMtyjPo6QLRYzHaJBdR5KLHf3hIxo_uQqcPxlGn8dy3CWOgPnNopvHUgBp7Ks8CKLurp7EDBLORlKRS68g8iKJNowO9SWQ/s640/2012+11+26_2329+copyright.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/" target="_blank">Sandhill Cranes Before Taking Flight-Morgan County, Indiana</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHqcGvV9khnw-9JqdGl0ZjrpPxuuMU04lpu4q1Vw0dQJ9itBZLg_xP5KIX4rb86k9xWv_nWreKmnmU9-zPqgQ8HJ6MCGnpUeqaPecgWWExfJ3CHEBNOTbUdVenxSmvzb2LyuNFaukRA/s1600/2012+11+26_2331+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHqcGvV9khnw-9JqdGl0ZjrpPxuuMU04lpu4q1Vw0dQJ9itBZLg_xP5KIX4rb86k9xWv_nWreKmnmU9-zPqgQ8HJ6MCGnpUeqaPecgWWExfJ3CHEBNOTbUdVenxSmvzb2LyuNFaukRA/s640/2012+11+26_2331+copyright.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/" target="_blank">Sandhill Cranes Taking Flight-- Morgan County, Indiana</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaUrmdGOA8XfW8bZwF09o6ylNjyGpf_NHt6UnUSRLv8FkD5egtjVZE9Ot5NVtD2UHrPSolAXZxyWS1R281-jxWfJ06ASxjJ5rEA7LEQCi_wWdjfK2wSmqFTvBnpZ3IpYcyHmlfudzdg/s1600/2012+11+26_2361+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaUrmdGOA8XfW8bZwF09o6ylNjyGpf_NHt6UnUSRLv8FkD5egtjVZE9Ot5NVtD2UHrPSolAXZxyWS1R281-jxWfJ06ASxjJ5rEA7LEQCi_wWdjfK2wSmqFTvBnpZ3IpYcyHmlfudzdg/s640/2012+11+26_2361+copyright.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/" target="_blank">Sandhill Crane Flying Overhead--Morgan County, Indiana</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
{I invite you to visit my Facebook page and LIKE it. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms">www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms</a>; visit my website: <a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/">www.jonijamesphotography.com</a> and my Flickr site: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames">www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames</a>)Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-8583811562058244012012-11-22T11:22:00.002-05:002012-11-26T19:38:32.816-05:00Who Is Watching Who? Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">HAPPY THANKSGIVING </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">TO ALL CREATION</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-- TO ALL BEINGS!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGkDDjBjxaC59r5oftYd_G_3oK3ZmytvO820imVOEJrm_P4WUYdK8b2VJVecHXWsiPpMyiZxK2abUsJ_2gNpXoYBo-sySzfy6Ob6Fky5WZQxzKevWpSAnAZBQBcA9iJqZfGQIcRMAhw/s1600/2012+10+17_1453+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGkDDjBjxaC59r5oftYd_G_3oK3ZmytvO820imVOEJrm_P4WUYdK8b2VJVecHXWsiPpMyiZxK2abUsJ_2gNpXoYBo-sySzfy6Ob6Fky5WZQxzKevWpSAnAZBQBcA9iJqZfGQIcRMAhw/s640/2012+10+17_1453+jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed Deer <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames" target="_blank">www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/heronwatchnatureprograms</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jonijamesphotography.com/" target="_blank">www.jonijamesphotography.com</a></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-31237702740695575332012-11-18T18:52:00.001-05:002012-11-18T18:52:05.909-05:00Black and White Photos vs. Color Photos I<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do not usually shoot black and white photos but have begun converting some of my color shots into black and white. I find the images below to be more dramatic in black and white, although I like the color images because of the touch of color from the beech leaves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am currently using Photo Elements (I have Photoshop but find PE does just as well since I do not process my photos all that much) and the plug-in Viveza 2. I go to "Enhance" and then "Convert to black and white and use the RGB and contrast sliders to make adjustments. This is much better than simply removing all Saturation from the image.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So occasionally I will post color images with their black and white counterparts. Please feel free to leave a comment as to which you prefer. It will be interesting to know if there is a definite preference-- tell me why too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Which do you prefer? Color or Black and White?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">ONE</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVUcxvXMd_vruTtYFPrJJKBSXnQYOn3mmOCw7ECGhy_bGm-djvoz5VxMv3NdXbvVMlTZlGqU4YsTgoWI7XgC94xBTv1VG2FfsUMf-6VsN61a_QkDQAYs4bAxsTyCzEUulN3a0N6RE1g/s1600/2012+11+09_1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVUcxvXMd_vruTtYFPrJJKBSXnQYOn3mmOCw7ECGhy_bGm-djvoz5VxMv3NdXbvVMlTZlGqU4YsTgoWI7XgC94xBTv1VG2FfsUMf-6VsN61a_QkDQAYs4bAxsTyCzEUulN3a0N6RE1g/s640/2012+11+09_1792.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog Shrouded Forest-Morgan Monroe State Forest- Color 1 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames" target="_blank">www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85aT0JQkN8An1a68-dIDHwIFTN4acjAV2tnfdLixp-9_s5xGnlLptwYF5_NYJ-zFIthvmD2oDy17qBHKlUQYeJoGbcxbX6hLUE8dwctuP3MMxrVwL2EDo0p6qbJDYMwVkUC-uC7ak1A/s1600/2012+11+09_1792+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85aT0JQkN8An1a68-dIDHwIFTN4acjAV2tnfdLixp-9_s5xGnlLptwYF5_NYJ-zFIthvmD2oDy17qBHKlUQYeJoGbcxbX6hLUE8dwctuP3MMxrVwL2EDo0p6qbJDYMwVkUC-uC7ak1A/s640/2012+11+09_1792+BW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog Shrouded Forest-Morgan-Monroe State Forest- Black and White 1 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames" target="_blank">www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">TWO</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEh6pAy-4KCpvI856iwkTm4o17AkqfjN7wCGg89JzKJ-kkgJhWpywd4VPtI2xl8bUrjAG03IeA6jcYF_tHKetWiUTu-8xbahxIDj-jOuvXJ2GXK8o-_bJWFWyoJuqc6ugSHYRpSbyUlw/s1600/2012+11+09_1794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEh6pAy-4KCpvI856iwkTm4o17AkqfjN7wCGg89JzKJ-kkgJhWpywd4VPtI2xl8bUrjAG03IeA6jcYF_tHKetWiUTu-8xbahxIDj-jOuvXJ2GXK8o-_bJWFWyoJuqc6ugSHYRpSbyUlw/s640/2012+11+09_1794.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog Shrouded Forest-Morgan-Monroe State Forest- Color 2 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames" target="_blank">www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpiiKR7Kgp1mp_ZVog0XJFNYjVmscHABYwXOzL465G8CFRZNU55eK2YH7Sm3ehGIccRDrY58wfL1aJKfuSkF5QvsAD7P6EY1wp4XrhHF5AodT0O3mHs8Qlu054YrO6u0ZkfU3fEwBzw/s1600/2012+11+09_1794_BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpiiKR7Kgp1mp_ZVog0XJFNYjVmscHABYwXOzL465G8CFRZNU55eK2YH7Sm3ehGIccRDrY58wfL1aJKfuSkF5QvsAD7P6EY1wp4XrhHF5AodT0O3mHs8Qlu054YrO6u0ZkfU3fEwBzw/s640/2012+11+09_1794_BW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog Shrouded Forest-Morgan-Monroe State Forest- Black and White 2 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames" target="_blank">www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THREE</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_62UZNyaDLtDOpPIT8RK18zCWNt5YjI5PK8nehRwSJmYIahQP73dKnYlIRltDXCuuhyuFxvdG3Bn9v3PvTCXAC4Bc5wbMRvJjf79ovrUeB3AM-iZEcAB5FDON7mbk0kAuzj9_Y8GqaA/s1600/2012+11+09_1798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_62UZNyaDLtDOpPIT8RK18zCWNt5YjI5PK8nehRwSJmYIahQP73dKnYlIRltDXCuuhyuFxvdG3Bn9v3PvTCXAC4Bc5wbMRvJjf79ovrUeB3AM-iZEcAB5FDON7mbk0kAuzj9_Y8GqaA/s640/2012+11+09_1798.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog Shrouded Forest- Morgan-Monroe State Forest- Color 3 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames" target="_blank">www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk93_UYgClNiNdmc1NaG6D5kM-QzeV69dXCzbKnRlW-7sgGyfzubpzo7-EeNo1GOoBoN6Fp8_oyxobIm41TwllxvBCEPza05igEifyBTXwpMpaLnAQWS67mqYyl6eV9qVyIvTk-ck3jA/s1600/2012+11+09_1798_BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk93_UYgClNiNdmc1NaG6D5kM-QzeV69dXCzbKnRlW-7sgGyfzubpzo7-EeNo1GOoBoN6Fp8_oyxobIm41TwllxvBCEPza05igEifyBTXwpMpaLnAQWS67mqYyl6eV9qVyIvTk-ck3jA/s640/2012+11+09_1798_BW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog Shrouded Forest-Morgan-Monroe State Forest- Black and White 3 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames" target="_blank">www.flickr.com/photos/jonijames</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Don't forget to leave a comment-- comments section is under this post.<br />
<br />Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-57108332256216460902012-11-14T21:28:00.000-05:002012-11-26T19:39:12.376-05:00The Light I Seek<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The Light I Seek</i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb46lpIDCusbJ3KfbSFJ4CXi3GESy3rv5FyUs-n7Ahvsq4dSoPvdd0CauIU3fQbLDTmVAPOfbM9bTI1IDoVCkS38ZqBtFxJsiOKMP42wzQRSJLY_QNadZxLpltYv5YIgDUDAoNH0Gh-A/s1600/2012+09+24_1168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb46lpIDCusbJ3KfbSFJ4CXi3GESy3rv5FyUs-n7Ahvsq4dSoPvdd0CauIU3fQbLDTmVAPOfbM9bTI1IDoVCkS38ZqBtFxJsiOKMP42wzQRSJLY_QNadZxLpltYv5YIgDUDAoNH0Gh-A/s640/2012+09+24_1168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Light I seek.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Is that not the journey?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Light. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Light that seeks to erase the dark?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Light that splits open the night?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi56ievEl29RlVPCBrweytz9pCs9_y0TvC5xYCO-XAoxfpKHbLQGTaYvVKyb0NUKL2FnWY-2PmQZ0uaCnxgvMYbkoRJWvJpnLYCDowNs5XZWl1uhrck-ZymBcZzV2o4zrFq4vm2EKyw/s1600/2012+09+24_1173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi56ievEl29RlVPCBrweytz9pCs9_y0TvC5xYCO-XAoxfpKHbLQGTaYvVKyb0NUKL2FnWY-2PmQZ0uaCnxgvMYbkoRJWvJpnLYCDowNs5XZWl1uhrck-ZymBcZzV2o4zrFq4vm2EKyw/s640/2012+09+24_1173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"> It bursts upon my landscape. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"> It is the primal dawn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Sweet Light flows within and without</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It illuminates.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> It spreads its rays in an atmospheric dance</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To reveal that which I can not see.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is the Revealer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZdpjQVk5Lf3ftYbdcMvjLADMKgfsvjNLRcZmKgg8PptVhchVOVe_zTR7sMvrwURfOH208heguRU5KkG4-GqV74YAt4-unje6TZXw4ImMhqk7Py-l3HiBELm1LLLU0LtrNcB3sT7PGw/s1600/2012+09+24_1184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZdpjQVk5Lf3ftYbdcMvjLADMKgfsvjNLRcZmKgg8PptVhchVOVe_zTR7sMvrwURfOH208heguRU5KkG4-GqV74YAt4-unje6TZXw4ImMhqk7Py-l3HiBELm1LLLU0LtrNcB3sT7PGw/s640/2012+09+24_1184.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I awaken.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wash over me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Illumine me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until I am the dawn breaking</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">--Joni James </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT2NLJpmvHpr4GpaWwrVVwKAYDFcOwWEA_nuPuuGea5gLUbF1RRGTDApuZ1hk_ktMHo2Hu6ATseQ524Ir_SQT1mOVUmE4CSCZQwh17yGz13sdYGVZslfIyXsoP80NpUhrT2Dme9-JJQ/s1600/2012+09+19_1152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyT2NLJpmvHpr4GpaWwrVVwKAYDFcOwWEA_nuPuuGea5gLUbF1RRGTDApuZ1hk_ktMHo2Hu6ATseQ524Ir_SQT1mOVUmE4CSCZQwh17yGz13sdYGVZslfIyXsoP80NpUhrT2Dme9-JJQ/s640/2012+09+19_1152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Let nothing come between you and the light."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-- Henry David Thoreau</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjxR3q8YyWkIYgZzo7BTn4ZvW4tD2dXqnAWnmu3wWiP4JOS-Y_pSjZOfvIfUxKvX4E7oqYj3MQ990v3yt_8HR6sd5DBl87wyounsFk8sshQB1ETDk4R4zkaozij2BjNIyVAM8l8pzrQ/s1600/2012+10+04_1339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjxR3q8YyWkIYgZzo7BTn4ZvW4tD2dXqnAWnmu3wWiP4JOS-Y_pSjZOfvIfUxKvX4E7oqYj3MQ990v3yt_8HR6sd5DBl87wyounsFk8sshQB1ETDk4R4zkaozij2BjNIyVAM8l8pzrQ/s640/2012+10+04_1339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-52167666156709269302012-11-10T18:56:00.000-05:002012-11-26T19:39:54.933-05:00The Colors of Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Autumn is gone. The colors this year were unexpectedly spectacular after the drought this summer. I noticed the last leaves on many of my trees at home have fallen after today's wind.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought I would share autumn scenes from October since today was a warm reminder (60+ degrees) of just a few weeks ago. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43zm8aT6KBErHpgQNPe9ipcghg7UR-0zPaDH3gconBkDNHskfsGIXNpigImVh5IezyiA1LSQyjXQsHK3qkRHUj9SyLzs0y3jrMR2n0JMR9MW-3w7Ss0lbTiCWECxnbkeJ7J5ihVSXag/s1600/2012+10+14_1361edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43zm8aT6KBErHpgQNPe9ipcghg7UR-0zPaDH3gconBkDNHskfsGIXNpigImVh5IezyiA1LSQyjXQsHK3qkRHUj9SyLzs0y3jrMR2n0JMR9MW-3w7Ss0lbTiCWECxnbkeJ7J5ihVSXag/s640/2012+10+14_1361edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is fascinating how leaves change color. There are three types of pigments present in leaves. <i>Chlorophyll</i> gives leaves their basic green color. It is necessary for photosynthesis. This is the chemical reaction that enables plants to use sunlight to manufacture sugars for their food. Trees in the temperate zones store these sugars for their winter dormant period. <i>Carotenoids </i>produces yellow, orange, and brown colors in such things as corn, carrots, and daffodils, and bananas. <i>Anthocyanins</i>, which give color to such familiar things as red apples, blueberries, cherries, and strawberries. These are water soluble and appear in the watery liquid of leaf cells.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Both chlorophyll and carotenoids are present in the chloroplasts of leaf cells throughout the growing season. Most anthocyanins are produced in the fall, in response to bright light and excess plant sugars within the leaf. During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As length of night increases in the autumn, the production of chlorophyll slows down and then halts. The carotenoids and anthocyanins present in the leaf are then revealed to show their colors.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights
seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays. During these days,
lots of sugars are produced in the leaf but the cool nights and the gradual
closing of veins going into the leaf prevent these sugars from moving out. These
conditions-lots of sugar and lots of light-spur production of the brilliant
anthocyanin pigments, which tint reds, purples, and crimson. Because carotenoids
are always present in leaves, the yellow and gold colors remain fairly constant
from year to year. The amount of moisture in the soil also affects autumn colors</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Certain colors are characteristic of specific species.</span></u><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Oaks</b> > <b>red, brown, or russet</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hickories</b> > <b>golden bronze</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Aspen & Yellow-Poplar</b> > <b>golden yellow</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Dogwood</b> > <b>purplish red</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Beech </b>> <b>light tan</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sourwood</b> > <b>crimson</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Black Tupelo</b> > <b>crimson</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maples differ species by species.</span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Red Maple > brillian scarlet</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sugar Maple > orange red</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Elms</b> shrivel up and fall showing little color but dull brown.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSQ6bwYGq8oiIo5qgPtWml-0ZV7wJLPMNr27Ywf67ZtMMDLq1W66qLtsVPxFVuVm_kFXKgYzAgrhRE5zoF3UxdLfEJhHxyW2MVvh7l5s3ttD_IWCM10TMqY1qWLa6L7blQa5mWGJE4w/s1600/2012+10+15_1347ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSQ6bwYGq8oiIo5qgPtWml-0ZV7wJLPMNr27Ywf67ZtMMDLq1W66qLtsVPxFVuVm_kFXKgYzAgrhRE5zoF3UxdLfEJhHxyW2MVvh7l5s3ttD_IWCM10TMqY1qWLa6L7blQa5mWGJE4w/s640/2012+10+15_1347ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When the leaves fall they are not wasted. They decompose and restock the
soil with nutrients. Fallen leaves become food for many soil organisms vital to the forest ecosystem and the ecosystem of your yard and land! You can benefit your yard by not raking all the leaves that fall and allowing them to enrich your soil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The seasons change and beauty of each one enriches my life. Adventures await with the coming of winter-- the cycle continues.</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248299169200945122.post-48760276613070427382012-11-04T18:52:00.002-05:002012-11-04T18:52:34.334-05:00River Otters: Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I recently visited Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge at Seymour, Indiana. It is one of my favorite places to photograph and nature watch. On this trip in late October, I observed a River Otter playing/foraging a distance away. It was in a waterway along the auto tour searching for fish, amphibians, turtles, crayfish or small mammals. I pulled off and sneaked down to where I anticipated it would swim.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trying to be small (getting low) and placing my tripod/camera in proper arrangement, I was suddenly surprised as the otter popped up several yards away from me. It immediately sensed my presence and rose out of the water looking at me (second image). It was wary yet curious. As it swam closer and eventually back and forth near me, it kept exhaling and making snuffling sounds-- likely a warning communication. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To my disappointment, the vegetation along the levee was high and wide enough to be in the way of a clear photo. Soon several otters popped out of vegetation and slid down the side of the levee into the water.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWmfW8I6yZExMGa5WfgoOuPPnD157aIaz6iJzYNgsu_eveWnnRAKJJ8WT66DZtvrVHxbqtm5lLYmoUV32rp6WePuOKwFpHEdaeE6pJxhju2HeTCx4j5u5RCAbUZ5JLClfrLIdG11ouA/s1600/2012+10+24_1610+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWmfW8I6yZExMGa5WfgoOuPPnD157aIaz6iJzYNgsu_eveWnnRAKJJ8WT66DZtvrVHxbqtm5lLYmoUV32rp6WePuOKwFpHEdaeE6pJxhju2HeTCx4j5u5RCAbUZ5JLClfrLIdG11ouA/s640/2012+10+24_1610+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By 1942, there were no breeding pairs of River Otters were left in Indiana. Between 1995 and 1999, more than 300 River Otters from Louisiana were
transplanted into Muscatatuck, Patoka, south-central Ohio, St. Joseph,
Tippecanoe and Upper Wabash waterways to help restore this species to the state.
The project was so successful that in 2005 River Otters were de-listed as state
endangered. They are now a species of special concern. This means that River Otters are no longer listed as in danger of disappearing from the state. Biologists will continue to monitor the
species to ensure the population continues to grow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Otters are protected from both intentional and accidental trapping during the
fur harvest season. It is illegal to take or possess the pelts of otters or of
any other protected species.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn43yu9fp1uYWmci4hxOdpbUnEy_V1sGk6NcsA0M-kXKQ6FxngIdjIlR-W2MBCqZ-qloAGpXqJmie1eEQbl5D96I7h-mUoI6COW5eTCHknz6UQUv05EePGmOAsZTmBNlYjNktNAILJA/s1600/2012+10+24_1605+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn43yu9fp1uYWmci4hxOdpbUnEy_V1sGk6NcsA0M-kXKQ6FxngIdjIlR-W2MBCqZ-qloAGpXqJmie1eEQbl5D96I7h-mUoI6COW5eTCHknz6UQUv05EePGmOAsZTmBNlYjNktNAILJA/s640/2012+10+24_1605+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The River Otter’s fur consists of two layers - a coarse, waterproof outer coat
and a softer, finer layer that keeps the animal warm. When in the water air
bubbles cling to the outer hairs, covering the otter in what appears to be a
silvery sheen. Otters are part of the weasel family which includes minks, skunks and
badgers. Although happy to play, river otters are solitary animals. Males do not
associate with females until mating season. Only then will you see pairs
chasing, diving and cork-screwing through the water as a sort of mating
ritual. The otter loves to swim and can hold its breath for up to 8 minutes. Its
eyes are even adapted for underwater vision, leaving them nearsighted when out
of water. On land, otters rely on their sense of smell, hearing and touch to get
around. River Otters are territorial and will mark their territory with feces (or
spraint) as a warning to others. Length: 30-50 inches Weight: 11-30 lbs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(The image below is the waterway where I found the otters.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVC54tvItB0P5avw7jqZfOmS22lslI4BCkciIhjPQWqhJ9CMqVno7CiEtNNBjtMP40XC7zrmFPU4MBjpMV51zr6aBwKhLd4hv4X9vYX3Pup6tG10Dsc0KKqligKshTQGEWIXBtXGW91w/s1600/2012+10+24_1611+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVC54tvItB0P5avw7jqZfOmS22lslI4BCkciIhjPQWqhJ9CMqVno7CiEtNNBjtMP40XC7zrmFPU4MBjpMV51zr6aBwKhLd4hv4X9vYX3Pup6tG10Dsc0KKqligKshTQGEWIXBtXGW91w/s640/2012+10+24_1611+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is satisfying to know that River Otters are found in most of Indiana now, thanks to many people who had the foresight and made the efforts to re-establish this captivating mammal. Just another species who enriches the biodiversity of our ecosystems and our lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Visit Muscatatuck NWR and drive the auto tour loop or walk the trails--you are sure to see plenty of wildlife--plus they have the best nature bookstore!</span>Joni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03398026743967432677noreply@blogger.com3