The Science Behind Nature - in Layperson Speak
I just finished an interesting book, What a Plant Knows, by Daniel Chamovitz. I thought I would write up some highlights, which will also help me recall them better… I’ll break it into two posts: this one will cover what a plant feels and hears.
My takeaway : I can probably stop talking to my plants because they’re deaf — and I shouldn’t touch them too much. But research shows plants smell, use salicylic acid (aspirin) to ward off infections. Plants also see [Read more...]
Vultures taking advantage of the hundreds of sphinx moth caterpillars crossing the road, Colorado River toads, noisy grasshoppers and gorgeous sunsets….
I took a trip to Arizona last week, and happened to time it with the last days of Arizona’s monsoons. When I lived in Flagstaff I relished the annual monsoons, those afternoon showers that hit every July though September. [Read more...]
I love our majestic old native oaks here in California. And like many, I get distressed when I see one dying, especially from improper care.
Background: There are nine species of native tree oaks in California – In SoCA most of our live oaks (called ‘live oaks’ because they are green year-round, not deciduous) are Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) or Valley Oak (Quercus lobata). Scrub Oaks and the rarer Englemann Oaks are common ones in our area.
But back to dying oaks. [Read more...]
Two important bills – #1221 which prohibits the use of hounds to chase bears and bobcats and #1480, which protects wildlife (plus family pets) from cruel traps – are on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk. He has had them a week and has until the end of September to sign them or veto them.
It’s time to call, write, fax or email. [Read more...]
The recent news of hantavirus at Yosemite National Park being spread through deer mice droppings took me back to 1993 when I was living on the Navajo Reservation in Window Rock. That spring and summer the reservation was the hit with a high number of victims, ranging in age from 13 to 85, with 60% dying from the disease. I recall my dismay as I learned of the link between mice and the mysterious virus. I had just moved into a rental home that was being overrun with mice. [Read more...]
My goal is to educate about the science of nature in layperson speak, through my writing, science and education background. I grew up in the Chicago area, loved living in Minneapolis before gravitating to the West, which is now home. The search for … [Read More...]
