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ORNAMENTALS GONE WILD – - Invasive Oriental Bittersweet on Presque Isle
Posted: November 20, 2012 7:49 am
It all started quite innocently when greenhouses imported this vine for the value of showy red arils that serve as covers for its seeds. This was back in 1860. Even today, they are still popular for use in flower arrangements and wreaths… While the vines and their little red berry-like arils… View ArticleAUTUMN LEAVES – - By guest blogger Robert Harris
Posted: September 14, 2012 6:39 am
Todays blog is by Robert Harris. Bob is our resident expert on plants on the park. He knows more about what grows on Presque Isle than anyone I have ever met. Walking with Bob is an adventure as he dashes in and out of the woods all along where you walk. I hope you… View ArticleA QUIET FRIDAY WALK ON THE PARK – - Part # 2
Posted: August 28, 2012 7:07 am
As I continue my walk by turning right onto the Ridge Trail, I glance back down Marsh Trail and notice the sky seems to be bluer, and the grasses and trees greener in the clear and almost sparkling early afternoon light. Unfortunately, I know what this portrays. Over time, working with a camera… View ArticleMUSKRATS, BULLFROGS AND DRAGONFLIES in the midafternoon sun – -
Posted: July 31, 2012 7:16 am
Sunshine is the artist of the on this bright silver-blue afternoon as I finish my photography session on the new Feather. It is 3:30, so the sun is casting unique shadows due to its angle to the earth. The air is hot and yet clear. These are the factors that are important to… View ArticleMORNING ON THE PATIO – - using native plants
Posted: July 12, 2012 4:55 pm
Today there will be no trip to Presque Isle. Later this morning I am joining a group going to Pittsburgh for a dinner tonight where former Governor Tom Ridge will receive the Lifetime Achievement Environmental Award from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council for his never- ending work to protect Presque Isle, his establishment of… View ArticleCATTAIL – -A common, useful and sometimes invasive Presque Isle plant
Posted: July 2, 2012 9:37 pm
The lowly cattail is well-known to everyone, nature lover or not. They are one of the most common and easily identified of our water-loving plants. Sunny, marshy places dominated by these sword-like plants are a familiar sight all across America. Most of us easily recognize the long green leaves and hot-dog shaped brown… View ArticleA QUIET EVENING WALK ON PRESQUE ISLE
Posted: June 11, 2012 9:41 pm
The evening started like any other, with Nancy and me meeting friends at a small local restaurant for an early dinner. The dinner was wonderful. I had Pasta Mediterranean, and she chooses a pork dish with grilled vegetables and real mashed potatoes. They both were great, except a lot more than either… View ArticleYOU’VE GOT THE “GALL”
Posted: February 6, 2012 10:29 am
What do birds, insects and ice fishermen have in common? “Ball Gall.” You are most likely thinking at this point, “What the heck is a Ball Gall?” If you visit Presque Isle or any other natural area in northwestern Pennsylvania, maybe even your own backyard, that has goldenrod growing, chances are very good… View ArticlePERSNICKETY EATING IN THE WOODS OF PRESQUE ISLE – -Accorn Preferences
Posted: October 26, 2011 7:43 am
Two weeks ago while sitting on a log tucked away in a quiet place on Ridge Trail. I noticed the squirrels and chipmunks seemed to be eating one type of acorn, and ran away to hide a different looking one. To me, an acorn was an acorn. Boy, was I about to learn a thing… View ArticleIN APPRECIATION OF DEBRIS – - Why dead trees are important to Presque Isle
Posted: October 6, 2011 7:37 am
A week ago, I met a woman while on Presque Isle who asked me a question that stopped me dead in my tracks. She asked, “Gene, you are out on Presque Isle all the time, can you tell me why someone does not clean up the woods on Presque Isle up a bit so it… View Article1 2 3 Next »