Author Archives: jltnatural-admin

April 2018 Book Selection

The Natural History Society Book Club will meet on Monday, April 23, 3:30-5:00 at the “Pink House” next to the Port Townsend Library.  We will discuss The Last Wild Edge by Susan Zwinger.

Naturalist and author Susan Zwinger travels the northwestern edge of North America, from the Arctic Circle to the Olympic rain forest.  She travels by pickup, by day hiking, by watercraft (sailboat, Zodiac, kayak), and backpacking.  Her near poetic writing describes aspects of unique wild landscapes, including tundra, glaciers, bogs, fjords.    She invites her readers “to slow down, to kneel down, to gaze long,” to examine the ecology of small organisms (lichens, liverworts, fungal mycelia) as well as  the big animals (bears, wolves, eagles) and plants (cedars, hemlocks). She observes the effects of clearcutting on ancient forests and other intrusions by human civilization into this remote edge.

What’s that Flower/Butterfly/Crab?

Would you like to identify what you have found? We learned how to document our nature observations with iNaturalist, and create an online life list of every species we can photograph.

For a few years, Wendy Feltham has enjoyed recording what she finds outdoors on this international Citizen Science website. She explained how iNaturalist works, how scientists and naturalists help with identifications, and how to join or start a project.

We met on March 2, 2018, in the Land Trust’s Conference Room at 1033 Lawrence St. in Port Townsend.

Nature Photography Workshops

We joined local award-winning nature photographer Stephen Cunliffe for a presentation designed to help you improve your nature photography.

On March 9, 2018, he covered two themes: Composing Your Image and How to Abandon Your Camera’s Automatic Button.

On March 16, Stephen led an outdoor workshop for the same group to practice these skills. Space was limited. Dave at JLTnatural@saveland.org was the contact person.

March 2018 Book Selection

In March the Natural History Society Book Club will discuss Glacial Lake Missoula and its Humongous Floods by David Alt.  We will meet at the Pink House, next to the Port Townsend Carnegie Library, on Monday, March 26, from 3:30-5:00.

 

 

Glacial Lake Missoula and Its Humongous Floods tells the tale of a huge Ice Age lake that drained suddenly, and repeatedly. In the 1920s geologist J. Harlen Bretz came to the conclusion that the dry scablands of eastern Washington were sculpted by water.  The flood waters from the broken ice dam raced across western Montana, the Idaho panhandle, eastern Washington, down the Columbia River Gorge, out to the Pacific Ocean.

The book is also the story of geologists grappling with scientific controversy, in which personalities, pride, and prejudice conflict with scientific evidence.

Winter Twigs and Habitats on Whidbey Island

On February 17, 2018, the Natural History Society group walked onto the Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry for an outing
across the Salish Sea and a hike on Whidbey Island. Naturalist Cheryl Lowe led us as we explored a diversity of habitats near Crockett  Lake and Fort Casey.

We practiced identifying winter twigs, got an introduction to the  DNR Admiralty Inlet Natural Area Preserve, and learned something about  the geologic history of Crockett Lake/Keystone Spit, and how it’s managed today.

There was an active Bald Eagle nest nearby, and we saw many birds. A year ago we counted 40 species in this area, including Black Oystercatchers, Surf Scoters, Red-necked Grebes, Ancient Murrelets, and a Northern Harrier.

We brought binoculars and field guides, and prepared for whatever the weather might blow our way. Lee at JLTnatural@saveland.org was the contact for timing, location, and details.

February 2018 Book Selection

 

 

 

 

 

On Monday, February 26, 2018 the Natural History Society Book Club will discuss  The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert. We will meet at the Pink House, next to the Port Townsend Carnegie Library, from 3:30-5:00.

Author Elizabeth Kolbert describes the currently occurring mass extinction, the sixth in the history of the world. The species going extinct is human beings, who Kolbert describes as having altered life on Earth as no other organism has before. She shows that the sixth extinction is likely to be mankind’s most lasting legacy, compelling us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.