Seeking Trees

It is no big secret that many of my friends and I feel passionate about trees.  Far outstripping the lifespan of the average human, these giant sentinels of times past leave me feeling very small indeed.

Their struggles through drought, fire, and the activity of man are too often scrawled upon the very bark which makes each species recognizable and unique.  Our world is richer for having trees and the by-product of clean air to breath is mighty sweet, too.

If one wants to mark the down-fall of man, you need look no farther than the wholesale destruction of trees. They anchor our very earth, preventing erosion.  They provide shade, habitat, food and form the framework for ecosystems.  Look to the most dramatic poverty-stricken nations and you'll find countries denuded of trees.

Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa at Daughmer Prairie State Nature Preserve, photo by Ian Adams.

One of  Ian Adams' best tree portraits ever features an old friend from Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve.  This giant Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa grows next to the parking lot on Marion-Melmore Rd.

If you have ever tried to photograph an old growth tree, one soon realizes it is difficult to get the full size, shape and perspective of its habitat included.  It makes Ian's fine work all the more admirable.

Now you can see many of Ohio's most spectacular trees as well as rock formations and scenic highways through the the filter of Ian's lens.

Ohio University's Swallow press has produced a gem filled with the best scenes Ohio has to offer.  A Photographer's Guide to Ohio has me spell-bound.  Thanks to Ian, I now have a few more trees to see right here in Ohio!

A little excerpt from Ian's work:

     When I view this tree, and other giants like it, I'm reminded of a statement attributed to playwright, George Bernard Shaw, "Except for the nine months before he draws his first breath, no man manages his affairs so well as a tree does."

My feelings, too.  A tree can be measured worthy in so many ways besides board-feet.  A note to Ohio State Parks and Forests,  none of the beautiful or historic sites Ian depicts include a clear-cut.

We need trees. 

Flora-Quest invades Marblehead

It was a perfect time to pair two of my great interests, Flora-Quest and Marblehead, Ohio.

This was our eighth year for Flora-Quest and it was time to change things up.  Coincidentally, May 13th was also the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Marblehead Lakeside, Daisy Preserve.  Perfect timing for a pairing.

Lakeside Daisy Preserve in full bloom on May 13th, 2014.  Photo by Paula Harper

Back in 1988 the rarest flower in the United States- Lakeside Daisy, Tetraneuris herbacea- acquired its own preserve carved out from quarry land.  This seemingly unpretentious yellow daisy is only found naturally occurring in Marblehead/Lakeside Ohio and in Ontario, Canada.  It is a globally rare flower.

Lakeside Daisy was named for the town of Lakeside on the Marblehead Peninsula. Photo by Paula Harper.

For a few short weeks around Mother's (early May) these daisies turn the preserve's rocky ground into a carpet of gold.  Except for some stunted Red Cedar trees, this gravel lot looks more like a place to park than a habitat for unusual botany.

Dick Moseley tells she history of the Lakeside Daisy Preserve. Photo by Paula Harper.

 Flora-Quest gets the most knowledgeable guides to lead our trips, and this year was no exception.  The daisy preserve had three excellent guides: Dick Moseley, retired Director of Ohio Division of Natural Resources.  Allison Cusick is the retired Ohio Heritage Botanist, and Rick Gardner, the current Ohio Heritage Botanist, led our tour.

Guy Denny was prepared to lead trips into real adventure. Photo by Paula Harper

 Guy Denny, past Chief of Division of Natural Areas and Preserves is also one of our guides.  These leaders have a life-time of experience in interpreting naturals areas.  People love to learn from them.

The Monday morning field trip to Meadowbrook Marsh.  Photo by Kevin Joyce.

 We had a botany/ birding trip to Meadowbrook Marsh.  Jason Larson (yellow shirt) and your blogger (coral shirt on right) had more fun than should be legal.  We both like birds and botany, although he probably missed the other "Sunshine Boy," Pete Whan.  Jason and Pete led the popular Flora-Quests to Adams County for several years.

"Miss Paula" Harper brandishing her umbrella. Photo by Cheryl Harner

 Jason steps up to do his guide duties and tells a bit about the American Bladdernut, Staphylea trifolia  growing along the parking lot at Meadowbrook.  It is one of our under utilized, decorative native shrubs. Paula wasn't actually poking him with that umbrella, although the photo does look incriminating!

Allison Cusick gave an excellent program on  "What is an Alvar?"

 Our lunch time meals were a welcome retreat from Monday's rain and Tuesday's heat.   On Monday, Allison Cusick, the retired Ohio Heritage Botanist kept us enthralled with his story-telling ability and tales from Marblehead's glacial impacted topography. He also gave brief accounts and locations of the very few other alvars in the world. So how do the glacially scraped surfaces of an alvar differ from a parking lot? They are likely to have plants, very rare and stunted plants.

Doty Twyford, long time Questor in front of the Marblehead Lighthouse.  Photo by Paula Harper

 Many of our questers ended the workshop at the most photographed location in Ohio: the Marblehead Lighthouse.  Built in 1821 by the Kelley brothers from Sandusky, our longest operating light on Lake Erie is a popular tourist gathering.

Looking out from the rail surrounding  of the beacon.  Photo by Ian Adams.

It was a special occasion to have the lighthouse open for tours, and Ian Adams participated in Flora-Quest by giving photography tips to the eager questers.  The 80 degree weather and bright sunshine made for a welcome surprise in May.

All in all, the event couldn't have been any more fun or successful, and we thank our partners, sponsors and patrons for making Flora-Quest the place to be in May.

Gulls, gulls, gulls!

If ever there was a day for watching gulls, it was this morning on the Cleveland lakefront at 72nd Street. It  provided a spectacular opportunity to study gulls up-close and personal.  Today's clear weather and blue skies afforded the perfect light.

I spent a little time practicing moving shots of gulls feeding and looking for some rare white-winged gulls.  We had both Glaucous  and Iceland Gulls, but they were a bit far out for good photos.

 Something kicked the birds up and the resulting movement was fast and frenzied.

Photographer Ian Adams was making good use of the light.  I will be looking forward to his blog post on the topic. This guy is an artist with a camera.

 If you are interested in learning photography tips from the master, you should sign up for Ian's trip at Flora-Quest.  Don't wait, though- it is nearly full!

The lake is frozen over, so this open water at the hot water outlet at the 72nd Street power plant is ground zero for gull watching. If you haven't been there yourself- check out the video below to see what you have been missing.  It is mind boggling that one minute you feel as though you are in the wilderness of Alaska,  while just over your left shoulder lies the city of Cleveland.  

Enjoy!

Fringetree: Nature through the lens.

Fringetree, Chionanthus virginicus is a southern species, best known from Virginia and the Carolinas.  If you want to see it in Ohio, you'll need to go south- to Scioto or Adams County.

Coincidentally, that is where we hold Flora-Quest, and we hold it when the Fringetree is in bloom: the first weekend in May.  Mark your calendar- this year's date is May 3-5, 2013.

                                   

Fringetree, photo by Andrew Gibson

                                            

 Knowing Fringetree is found in Scioto County is one thing, knowing where to find it is altogether another. That is why you'll want to book a trip with our experts guides, like Andrew Gibson and Ian Adams.

Fringetree, photo by Ian Adams

If you love to study nature, you may find it is even more enjoyable when you frame it as a photograph.  Whether it is the entire landscape that catches your eye, or some little detail you would like to examine with macro photography, today's "point and shoot" cameras do it all.

This year we are offering something entirely new:

                           Nature through a lens.

This isn't some difficult class filled with talk of F-stops and apertures!  You don't need a fancy camera, your cell phone will even do. This is a nature class.  Let the experts teach you how to get those photos you will want to share with friends.  Learn how we sneak up on butterflies or bees.  Get down on the ground for some exciting perspectives!   Ian and Andrew will help you understand nature, and see it in a new light.

So pick up this year's Flora-Quest card- and you'll notice a portion of Andrew's spectacular photo is featured on the front.

Join us and see all your favorite spring flowers: orchids, shooting-stars, Indian paint-brush and some exciting trees.  We are still in the planning stages, but the trips are coming together and we can't wait to share what our guides have in store for you this year!

Is it spring yet?

Trees- The Color Watch

There is a brief opportunity in autumn to enjoy the riot of colors offered by Ohio's trees. Peak  performance is on for much of the Mohican area; leaves are falling into colorful heaps and lining the sidewalks and pathways.

The Richland County B & O Rails-to-Trails bike path in Mansfield is covered with a festival of fall color.

I dare you to walk through this without shuffling your feet for the optimum sound effect!

Maples are like class clowns- always seeking attention!

Sugar Maples in particular are the acme of leaf color.  If you are seeing brilliant orange foliage, it is probably a maple!

Hickory tree at the top of Mt Jeez.

A golden, yellow is the peak color achieved by Hickory trees. Most of the hickory trees in my yard have already shed their leaves.  Peak fall color will be moving from mid-Ohio and extending both north and south throughout Ohio.

The cooler nights have set the leaf colors ablaze for this short-lived fall phenomenon. Enjoy it while you can, winter is on its way!

If you love trees as much as I do, you'll want to consider this recent release by Ian Adams:

Trees: A Photographic Celebration, is now available at http://ianadamsphotography.com/news/blog/

Midwest Native Plant Conference- Success!

The committee for the Midwest Native Plant Conference might consider naming its next conference: "Who needs sleep? There is always something to do!"

Black-lighting for moths was an unexpected bonus at the plant conference.

This event goes over the top!  One can expect great speakers and educational displays, a cross section of vendors which includes native plants, seeds, pottery (Go Black Kat!), photography, art, books, educational displays, and more books!  This event keeps getting better and better.  It is a flora-phile's dream come true.  

 Tim Snyder says,"Ohio's Natural Areas and Preserves need you!"  Watch for volunteer opportunities in the near future.  Working in preserves is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Ohio plants.

Dr. David Brandenburg cleared
up our confusions on conifers.

Top-notch speakers:  David Brandenburg, David Wagner, Marielle Anzelone, Ian Adams, and Jim McCormac- just to name a few.

 It is hard to chose between all the afternoon speakers!

Field trips:  afternoon, evening , morning and more!  Gather out front folks, we are going again!

 Our Friday evening walk may well be the largest gathering of insect song listeners in the world.  With nearly 100, it was hard to even squeeze them in the photo.

Experts:  Rubbing elbows in the field with the likes of David Wagner is always a highlight.  Dave wrote the book on  caterpillars, but has an incredible knowledge of all form of insects.  He has a wonderful teaching style and freely shares info with the newbies and experts alike.

 CONEHEADS!   Yes, the coneheads attended our conference as well!  We were happy to be serenaded by all manner of insects.

Yvonne Cecil and Jim Davidson discuss the finer points of a butterfly.

People: These gatherings are a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends, Flora-Quest buddies, and a chance to connect with new interesting people from all walks of life.  If you have a brain, you may have made the connection between the needs of humans and the health of our environment.  It is good to know something about the flora and other inhabitants of this planet on which we live. We are all in this together, folks!

A special thanks to the committee for making this event happen each year, and a special thanks for allowing me to participate.  As long as you keep putting on these fabulous events, I'll look forward to being there!

Parting Shot

Do you remember the old standby in Life magazine? My favorite feature was called "Parting Shots." Some of Life's best photography was featured as a stand alone article, the basic premise that a picture can speak a thousand words.

Daughmer Savanna .............photo by Ian Adams (click on photo to enlarge)

A parting shot from Daughmer was sent to me by Ian Adams and I just had to share it with you. This is what a "real photographer" can do with a topic.

Ian's photo breathes life into the stately Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa spreading above the open grassland at the prairie savanna in Crawford County. Light gently plays across the grasses, which have been here since they were maintained with fire by Ohio's First Nation, the native Americans.

Thankfully, this will not be the last shot of this historic property which "freezes" the landscape in a past time. A time before the plow, when bison and bear still knew the lands of Ohio.

Thank you, Ian for this beautiful photo- a work of art. Special thanks also, to all the local people and the folks with Ohio Department of Natural Resources who labored to preserve this prairie for future Ohioans. Job well done.

Family Farm Field Day

Yesterday was much like an opportunity to visit times past, as this idyllic scene unfolded near Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Hundreds of horses rested in the shade, freed from their burden of buggy and riders. Pony carts, family buggies, work carts and a battalion of abandoned bicycles lined the farm lot in Amish country.

The excitement was almost palatable, as the families and older children raced to the tents. There would be food, exhibits and games. Speakers for the grown-ups. A live llama, chicks hatching from eggs, a leaf and seed collection, bird and bug displays... a world of excitement!

The big tents circled on an open field, with wooden playground equipment taking an honored spot in the center. I would love to show more pictures of the scene, but for today you must use your imagination. With somewhere around 1,500-2,000 Amish folks gathered, there was no way I could take photos without infringing on their hospitality. I was a guest, it would be beyond rude to take photos as if I would studying some alien species. It is not proper.

This gathering would be the equivalent to an Amish state fair, without competition. No ribbons, no dog and pony shows. These are simple, plain people after all. So imagine your county fair without the lights and rides, and add in nature displays and walks through a wetland. Yes, there was food, but the lines were too long to get to the pie. Fortunately, the tent with homemade ice cream made up for it.

Several things come to mind when I have spent an afternoon with this Amish community. Children seem to be well appreciated here- however they know their place. Children gather quietly and respectfully, and I have never seen pushing, shoving or angry words. Of course, there is a bit of shy curiosity, as we "English" are the strange ones in this gathering. These small children have grown up speaking "Dutch" and for the most part, only speak when they are spoken to.

We spent much of our time in the "Nature Tent" where people gathered for trips to the back lot trail through woods and wetland: Birding with Ed Schlabach, Nature with Guy Denny, Dragonflies with Ian Adams, Wetlands with Don Beam... to name a few.

It was my good fortune to be asked to tag along with Guy Denny's Nature walk. I made myself useful near the back of the walk, where I could talk to the women and children. Many of them enjoy watching birds at their feeders at home and growing plants in their yards and gardens. We had much in common to talk about.

Guy Denny, retired Director of Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, and Don Beam of Stucker Meadows Native Plants discuss the lay of the land and the sightings of the day. This was one of the few places I felt comfortable with my camera- in the nearly empty car parking area.

We also spent a bit of time with good friend Ian Adams, an amazing photographer with several books in print. Ian was leading the Dragonfly walks, as he is not only a gifted photographer but also an excellent birder, butterfly and dragonfly guide.

If you are not familiar with Ian's work- you should immediately go here to order your copy of his newest book. It is filled with lovely images of many of my favorite places in Ohio and tips for getting the photos in many of these locations.

I'll leave you with Ian's image of one of my favorite locations in the world: the Marblehead Lighthouse, and the good reasoning of a man who loves this book, even though he is not a photographer.

"A photographer's guide to Ohio is written to help photographers improve their camera skills, but I treasure it most for its beautiful illustrations. Typical Ian Adams- a superb book."

David Kline- editor of Farming magazine (and organizer of Family Farm Field Day.)