Take a Look: Inside a Tree

This year I am challenging myself, and you my readers, to take a look. This Monday strand invites us all to look at everyday things more closely and in new ways. It also urges us to look at things we might not have considered in the past. And that is just what I did during […]

Take a Look: Backyard Wonders

I’ve talked about the maple tree outside my office window—in the front yard. But I’ve never blogged about any of the trees in my side yard or backyard. Until now. During my holiday break, as I was cooking dinner one night, I noticed lumps of white stuff at the base of the pine tree in […]

Take a Look: The Chipmunk’s Perspective

There are lots of different critters that could be nestled inside the dens beyond these woodland entrances, but today I’m going to imagine that the inhabitant is a chipmunk. Last week, I listed the questions I pondered after spotting these holes. Today I’m going to turn the tables and consider the situation from the chipmunk’s […]

Take a Look: A Cozy Den for Winter

As my husband and I tromped through the woods last weekend, the chilly air and the whipping wind turned my thoughts to all the little creatures that struggle to survive in the winter. Many of them head underground and sleep or rest all winter long. I thought I’d look for signs of their cold-weather homes. I spotted […]

Take a Look: My Maple Tree

Okay, okay, I just can’t help myself. It’s time to take another look at the maple tree outside my office window. Right now, you can see that the tree has lost almost all of its leaves. I raked them up about a week ago. And as I was doing so, I took a look at […]

Take a Look: A Spider’s Perspective

A couple of weeks ago, Kate Narita suggested another great point-of-view idea. Why not also write a journal entry from the spider’s perspective? I liked the idea so much that I’m trying it today. “I’m really enjoying stretching out in the sun this morning. It’s been such a rainy week. I can finally build a […]

Take a Look: A Scientist’s Description

Okay, so last week I wrote a wondrous first person account of a lovely spider we encountered while hiking on the border of Hudson and Berlin. That means today it’s time for the serious third person description. Let’s see how I do. 10:14 hours, October 16, 2010 Gates Pond and nearby vernal pool, Hudson/Berlin, MA […]

Take a Look: A Super Spider

Wow! Wow! Wow! Look at this fabulous Argiope spider. I’d recognize this spectacular species anywhere, anytime. Its size and colorful body and legs are a dead giveaway. These three shots show the story of our interaction with her. (I know she’s a female because the males are much smaller. We spotted one—probably a potential mate, […]

Goodbye, Maple

Exactly one year ago tomorrow, I wrote the first blog entry about the maple tree right outside my office window. And every week since (except during vacations), I’ve written something about it. I’ve watched it change through all four seasons. I’ve documented its leaves turning bright yellow and then falling to the ground. I’ve written […]