cause of death unknown & stick bug

On my walks in the park, I look for signs of life and death, reminding myself that we are all part of this earth for a short while. Thank the heavens above that we can exist together, if only for a second. This little guy (or gal) was resting peacefully at the trail's edge -- no blood, fully intact. My friend Ferris helped to identify it as a norther short tailed-shrew. Surprisingly, this tiny fuzz ball produces a venom in its saliva.   Look at its human-like front paws, like the hands of a wicked old grandmother from a long lost fairytale. See you on the other side, my friend. 

And, please!  Look at this stick bug. Have you ever???

Nuthatches

Nuthatches are FASTidious in real time. Everything changes when you slow things down. I want to live this way. Slow it down...

Nebraska Master Naturalist Program

With the help of some great folks in my class, I put this little video together. We had to do a group project and chose to make a promotional video that the program staff could use on their website to attract prospective students and possibly donors. Let's hope they use it! Enjoy...

And, here's a roll of bloopers. There are some real "pieces of work" in my class...me included. It's been fun and I've learned a lot about this state in middle America.  Looking back, I think it was the best way to meet folks who share my values in a state that for the most part may not.

deer tracks, wild honey locust tree

Moments

A nice gal in my class from Omaha, Maggi, snapped this shot of Aaron and Coop as they waited for me to get done with my work. I love this moment she captured -- I'm in it, though physically absent. 

traces

Where has this blog been hiding?  I'm guess I'm having a hard time finding my words right now, so I'll just share a few pictures. I've been doing a lot of walking in the woods, and as the leaves fall and shatter in the wind and the plants die back to endure the long winter, I've been hunting for signs of life.  They are everywhere, all the time. 

Cracks

It has been so dry here for days and days.  The air smells musky and the wind blows hot dirt in your face. My eyes are dry, my skin, my mouth. I am dreaming of how it smells in Maine.  The moist air off the water like a salt water taffy melting in your mouth. Sweet and salty. The best.

Just look at this dry Nebraskan earth cracking open, hungry for water.