Nature

Backyard Nature – Identifying Trees

04.27.2009 by James // 1 Comment

It is fun to go to nearby state parks, the local arboretum, or even national wildlife refuges to learn and study and photograph nature. But, I also have a closer resource on hand – literally right in my back yard. It may not be the woods, but it’s enough to learn to start observing the world outside of myself by observing nature. Do you know what trees are in your back yard?

Why Learn to Identify Trees?

People learn to identify trees for different reasons. For some of us, it is recreational. For others, its about learning to landscape or manage their property better. Rich Mullins, one of my favorite poets and songwriters, used to suggest to people speaking of depression or anxiety that they learn the names of all the trees between their home and their work.

For myself, it is about learning to look outside of myself, and my world of screens and routine. I have to look – really look – at nature to learn from it, and this simple act of looking outside myself does wonders for my spirit.

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Texas Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes

03.21.2009 by James // 1 Comment

These are some of the images from an afternoon at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park. The Bluebonnets are very beautiful and plentiful after the rains this past week.

(As always, click on an image to see a full screen version of the image)

We also spotted many full fields all along FM 1155 from Chappell Hill to Washington, TX. Would some wildflower resources be helpful?

Nature Is My Home

02.22.2009 by James // 1 Comment

Aside from either work or home, where do you like to go to get away from it all?

Often, when I am not working with technology, or at home with my kids, I can be found in Nature somewhere. When I decided to bring all of my interests and efforts together into this single communications channel, I knew my explorations and studies in Nature would be a part of it. This post is another in my small introductory series to introduce you to myself, my site and my interests and to start the discussion of what needs this place and I can help meet.

Although born in Houston and raised in New Orleans, I grew up spending quite a bit of time in the piny woods, swamps and marshes of Louisiana and Mississippi from my time as a Boy Scout. Nowadays, it may be because of the Brazos Bend photowalks taught by Dr. Lazlo Perlaky, or my own volunteer work at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, or just setting time aside for the Texas State Parks and even occasional wanderings into Oklahoma and Kansas as I explore the Great Plains. I am also working towards certification as a Texas Master Naturalist.
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