Author: Mike Dunn
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Grubosaurus Update
You always end up getting involved in things because of, you know, the strange things your life brings you into contact with. ~Edward Norton I have had a couple of unusual “pets” these past few months. You may recall in an earlier post, I reported on receiving some orphaned Eastern Hercules Beetle grubs one day… Read more…
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Camp Critters II
Children should be encouraged to watch patiently and quietly, until they learn something of the habits and history of bee, ant, wasp, spider, hairy caterpillar, dragon-fly, and whatever of larger growth comes in their way. ~Charlotte Mason Summer camp at work has been over for a week now. The decks of our building are quiet,… Read more…
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Surrounded by Swallowtails
Tremendous beauty can be found in the tiniest of things… for who has ever thought to rival that of a butterfly’s wing. ~Kristen D’Angelo Every few years, we have a population high of swallowtails here in our woods. This year has been exceptional with the greatest numbers of these large butterflies that I have witnessed.… Read more…
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Moth Week Plus
I’ve always preferred moths to butterflies. They aren’t flashy or cocky; they mind their own business and just try to blend in with their surroundings and live their lives. ~Kayla Krantz National Moth Week ended yesterday and I managed to miss most of it for a variety of lame reasons. But, even though I failed… Read more…
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Feeling Antsy
Ants are everywhere, but only occasionally noticed. They run much of the terrestrial world as the premier soil turners, channelers of energy, dominatrices of the insect fauna… ~Bert Holldobler The more I learn about them, the more I appreciate plants. Working at the NC Botanical Garden allows me to see the passage of time through… Read more…
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Camp Critters
If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in. ~Rachel Carson It is summer camp time at work and it has been busy these past few… Read more…
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Bearly Awake
Each day holds a surprise. ~Henry Nouwen Melissa and I have been with Mom this week helping take care of the many things that require attention when a family member passes. It has been a busy few days, though I managed to take Mom to Damascus last night for a little relaxation at their annual… Read more…
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Seek, and Ye Shall Find
The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name. ~Confuscius This past month, I have tried to find 5 or 10 minutes each day at work to walk around the building breezeways to photograph any moths that were attracted to the lights the previous night. I hope to create a library of… Read more…
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Anniversary Escape
Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence. ~Henry David Thoreau Last month we escaped for a few days for our anniversary. Escaped may seem like a strange word for people that are lucky enough live in the woods, but, as Melissa has pointed out, when we… Read more…
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Savanna Sights
To think that plants ate insects would go against the order of nature… ~Carl Linnaeus After a crazy busy spring field trip season at work, I am finally getting around to catching up on a couple of posts. Like last year, toward the end of April I collaborated with Melissa and the NC Museum of… Read more…
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Roads End Naturalist 