Thank you, once again, my friend, both for the google-eyed surprise find and for tracking old and new along the North Branch. Truly we. have seen only a tiny fraction of the life that surrounds us, and understand even less.
What a lovely, if melancholy, post. I hope the checkerspot butterfly populations rebound in the coming years, although, as you note, there's no guarantee.
I live in the Caribbean, one of the places most immediately at risk from climate change. My island's bird populations took a massive hit following hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and they have not yet recovered. I worry so much that increasingly frequent and severe storms means they never will.
I wanted to share a post that I wrote on hurricanes and climate change, because I thought you would appreciate it. Here it is:
My wife and I both subscribe to your column. It is a blessed relief from the politics that (of necessity) overwhelms the news these days.
While we must stay focused on the existential threat to democracy that we face here and around the world, we will continue to turn to you and similar sources to restore ourselves. We are both members of iNaturalist and post our observations every day.
Thanks, John. This is so very kind of you. Yeah, among the many things I like about iNaturalist is that it's cooperative, supportive (unlike our politics). Glad you're posting there!
“Ivy-leaved Toadflax exemplifies tenacity and resilience. It’s a survivor. A storm that took so much from my community could not take a gentle plant clinging one of its rock walls.”
I’ve seen those gorgeous pale lavender flowers. And I love looking at the old stone foundations as we drive by. I wonder how they were built, and why they chose land so close to the river.
“…I see more beauty in the cracks of sidewalks and in the gaps of stone walls” Me too Bryan, me too.
I am reading your post out loud to my husband. Ironically, we are just passing through Montpelier, where the first signs of excessive rain is evident with road crews out and about. It is 2:30pm , 07/10. We are on our way to camp, on Crystal. May you be safe and dry . And I hope the next time we drive through in a week or so, the gray stone foundations are still in view by the river. I hear the thunder.
Thanks for an interesting post. I hope the male Baltimore Checker finds a partner. What beautiful butterflies they are. I often spot Ivy-leaved toad flax around London and I love seeing it as it's usually helping to brighten up an area of grey. I love the name too! Sorry to hear your area has been so badly affected by the extreme weather.
Nature can be amazingly resilient sometimes. Ivy leaved toadflax does very well here in Edinburgh, a lovely plant.
I suspect in some places it might be invasive.
In some places it's definitely invasive, but I think that goes for any plant that's established in areas away from it's original home
Thank you, once again, my friend, both for the google-eyed surprise find and for tracking old and new along the North Branch. Truly we. have seen only a tiny fraction of the life that surrounds us, and understand even less.
I could spend a lifetime in the back 40 and still not discover half of what's going on there!
What a lovely, if melancholy, post. I hope the checkerspot butterfly populations rebound in the coming years, although, as you note, there's no guarantee.
I live in the Caribbean, one of the places most immediately at risk from climate change. My island's bird populations took a massive hit following hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and they have not yet recovered. I worry so much that increasingly frequent and severe storms means they never will.
I wanted to share a post that I wrote on hurricanes and climate change, because I thought you would appreciate it. Here it is:
https://open.substack.com/pub/doctrixperiwinkle/p/about-the-weather
Thank you for your writing. I learn a lot from you.
Thanks, Doctrix. I'll add your post to my (very long) reading list. Looking forward to it!
A beautiful reminder--and celebration-- of resilience and recovery. Keep us posted on the Baltimore checkerspots.
Maybe it'll turn out like the turtle saga! 😉
My wife and I both subscribe to your column. It is a blessed relief from the politics that (of necessity) overwhelms the news these days.
While we must stay focused on the existential threat to democracy that we face here and around the world, we will continue to turn to you and similar sources to restore ourselves. We are both members of iNaturalist and post our observations every day.
Thanks, John. This is so very kind of you. Yeah, among the many things I like about iNaturalist is that it's cooperative, supportive (unlike our politics). Glad you're posting there!
Thanks—it’s great to have another way to view the flood and what survives around us
Rough day today elsewhere in VT. 😢 I guess we got lucky in the city this year.
Bryan, what a thoughtful/personal blog. You are a marvel and I hope Beryl does not give a repeat performance. Thank you for your essay.
Vermont's again in rough shape, Sallie. Thanks for thinking of us. (We were largely spared in Montpelier this year.)
You’ve written a wonderful post.
“Ivy-leaved Toadflax exemplifies tenacity and resilience. It’s a survivor. A storm that took so much from my community could not take a gentle plant clinging one of its rock walls.”
I’ve seen those gorgeous pale lavender flowers. And I love looking at the old stone foundations as we drive by. I wonder how they were built, and why they chose land so close to the river.
“…I see more beauty in the cracks of sidewalks and in the gaps of stone walls” Me too Bryan, me too.
I am reading your post out loud to my husband. Ironically, we are just passing through Montpelier, where the first signs of excessive rain is evident with road crews out and about. It is 2:30pm , 07/10. We are on our way to camp, on Crystal. May you be safe and dry . And I hope the next time we drive through in a week or so, the gray stone foundations are still in view by the river. I hear the thunder.
Stay safe, Lor! Another rough storm.
7” of rain up here. But we’re dry. Hope you are as well.
Heart breaking…
Thanks for an interesting post. I hope the male Baltimore Checker finds a partner. What beautiful butterflies they are. I often spot Ivy-leaved toad flax around London and I love seeing it as it's usually helping to brighten up an area of grey. I love the name too! Sorry to hear your area has been so badly affected by the extreme weather.
Thanks, Ruth. (And my apologies for the belated reply.) Our Ivy-leaved Toadflax is still blooming (as of 25 Aug)! What a plant!