Ramble Report October 26 2017

Today's Ramble was led by Dale Hoyt.

The photos in this post, except where noted, came from Don's Facebook album (here's the link).

Today's post was written by Dale Hoyt with assistance from Don Hunter.

24 Ramblers met today.

Announcements:

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 9AM: Sandy Creek Nature Center's "First Wednesday Walk" next week will be another “by consensus” tree identification walk, as well as a bit of seeking what we find.

Friday, Nov. 3, 7:30PM: SCNC, Tales on the Porch. Jackie Elsner will tell stories down by the Cabin. The stories are suitable for older children and adults (PG-13). Cost is $3.00.

Today's reading:

Don read a haiku, “Clear Sky Sunrise” he composed after viewing the sunrise on Wednesday morning:

Orange-hued clear sky sunrise

Beneath deepest blue.

Filled with joyous reverie.

Ramble Report October 12 2017

Today's Ramble was led by Linda Chafin.

The photos in this post, except where noted, came from Don's Facebook album (here's the link).

Today's post was written by Linda Chafin and Don Hunter.

18 Ramblers met today.

Readings:

Linda read a poem from Lynda Hull, “Insect Life”

Ramble Report October 19 2017

Today's Ramble was led by Don Hunter.

The photos in this post, except where noted, came from Don's Facebook album (here's the link).

Today's post was written by Don Hunter [additions in square brackets are by Dale Hoyt - DH].

30 Ramblers met today.

Today's readings:

Bob Ambrose recited the latest poem in his “Evolution” series, titled “The Transition”

Request From Sandra Hoffberg

Dear Ramblers,

Hello from New York!  I have started my postdoc and I am embarking on a comprehensive study of the Amaranthus genus, which contains (healthy grain) crops, (herbicide resistant) weeds, and other relatives. 

I want to understand how all species are related to each other.  I will be able to use this information to answer questions like

·         Which species did the crop species evolve from?

·         Between which species and geographic regions do we expect traits, such as herbicide resistance, to spread?

I need seeds from all different Amaranthus (common name: amaranth, pigweed and/or waterhemp) species from many different locations.  I am asking for you to be a citizen scientist.

Participation in this project involves:

1.    Collecting seeds from an amaranth plant and putting them in an envelope

2.    Labeling the seeds with the GPS point (or address) where you collected them

3.    Mailing me the seeds – I’ll pay for postage

If you are interested in participating, please contact me at collect.amaranth@gmail.com or 914-719-6180.  Project updates will be posted on www.orphancap.com.

Thank you for your important contributions to my research!

Best wishes,

Sandra Hoffberg

Ramble Report October 5 2017

Today's Ramble was led by Dale Hoyt.

The photos in this post, except where noted, came from Don's Facebook album (here's the link).

Today's post was written by Dale Hoyt who hastily compiled notes taken by Don Hunter.

24 Ramblers met today.

Announcements:

Today's reading:

Because this year's Harvest Moon occurs on October 5 Dale read two passages about it. The first is an excerpt from Joe Rao's Skylog column in the October 2017 issue of Natural History magazine:

At 2:40PM EDT the moon officially turns full. This month’s full Moon occurs closest to the autumnal equinox; thus, it is referred to as the harvest moon.

Ramble Report September 28 2017

Today's Ramble was led by Linda Chafin.

The photos in this post, except where noted, came from Don's Facebook album (here's the link).

Today's post was written by Dale Hoyt.

33 Ramblers met today.

Today's Route:   The International and Heritage Gardens with short excursions into the woods along the Orange Trail Spur and the deer fence trail to the Day Chapel.  The curator of the Heritage Garden, Gareth Crosby, showed us how the Indigo plant was processed to produce the famous blue (indigo) dye.