Author: Mike Dunn
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Halloween Spider
The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and the spider web. ~Edwin Way Teale Every year about this time I run into (sometimes literally) one of my favorite spiders, the striking Marbled Orbweaver, Araneus marmoreus. This widespread beauty is usually seen in late summer and fall, hanging out Read more…
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The Long Sleep
We are like caterpillars contemplating pupation. ~Terrence McKenna Last weekend was one filled chores around the house. It seems many things have gone undone this fall with our hectic schedules. In putting away various caterpillar cages, floral tubes, plastic bags, and other gear associated with our many caterpillar programs last month, Melissa decided to look Read more…
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Dewy
You are an ocean of knowledge hidden in a dew drop. ~Rumi The chilly nights this time of year lead to dewy mornings, and the world is decorated for a time each day with droplets of glass pearls. One morning last week I took a short stroll through the gardens at work searching for jewels. Read more…
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Whistle While You Eat
Forget your trouble Try to be Just like the cheerful chickadee And whistle while you work ~Alternative lyrics to the Disney song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs A brief post today to share a remarkable scientific study on an unusual caterpillar behavior. In an earlier blog, I mentioned the unique sound-producing capabilities of Read more…
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Sexy Slugs
The mating of the leopard slug is one of the most sensuous film sequences you’ll ever see in your life. ~ Sir David Attenborough The bizarre happenings just outside our door continue to astonish me. As is often the case, this discovery came while I was out on a completely different mission. I had several Read more…
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Fall Herps
One of the most beneficial and valuable gifts we can give to ourselves in this life: is allowing ourselves to be surprised! It is okay if life surprises you. It’s a good thing! ~ C. JoyBell C. The busy schedule at home and work have left little time for getting out and about these past Read more…
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A Fondness for Caterpillars
And what’s a butterfly? At best, He’s but a caterpillar, drest. ~John Grey Another season of caterpillar finds and larval programs is winding down. We have been searching high and low for larvae and, consequently, caring for a menagerie of crawling critters for several weeks now. My caterpillar programs have ended, and Melissa’s will be Read more…
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Muir’s Mountains
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir It is appropriate to start this post on Muir’s beloved mountains, with Read more…
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Hiking Among Giants
Walk in the Sequoia woods at any time of the year and you will say they are the most beautiful and majestic on earth. ~John Muir I am far behind in posting about recent events, sightings and travels. But I guess that is a good problem to have – doing and seeing so much that Read more…
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Sweeping Grass and Rolling Logs
The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. ~Mark Van Doren We had an adventure on one of the last weeks of summer camp at the Garden. It was all about discoveries – trees, dragonflies, aquatic macroinvertebrates, field and forest insects and animal tracks and signs. A highlight for me was sharing the Read more…
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Roads End Naturalist 