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February 2016 Book Selection

 

feathers cover

February’s Natural History Book Club selection is Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle by Thor Hanson.  We will meet on Monday, February 22, from 3:30-5:00.  Contact Jean at jltnatural@saveland.org to RSVP and for location.

Feathers are an evolutionary marvel, dating back more than 100 million years.  This expansive natural history looks at feathers from many viewpoints–as insulation, as enabling flight, as protection, as adornment and beauty.  Thor Hanson’s book is based on the research of ornithologists, paleontologists, biologists, engineers, and art historians.  He combines personal storytelling with scientific information in a most entertaining manner.  Hanson resides in the San Juan Islands.  He spoke at the Port Townsend library recently about his latest book Seeds.

Identifying Winter Twigs

We all love going out into our parks and wilderness areas with field guides to identify the buds, blossoms, leaves and berries of local trees and shrubs, but how do we identify those seemingly lifeless branches in the middle of winter?

On January 9, 2016, the Natural History Society met for an investigation of winter twigs and to learn ways to identify trees and shrubs  when they are in their dormant period.

349Our guide, Cheryl Lowe, Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee and Beach Watchers Coordinator, led us on a winter walk to learn about woody plants in their dormant period.

This was a short walk of about two miles over uneven terrain. We suggested: layers, sturdy boots, binoculars, cameras, and field guides.

mail.rothman.netChris at JLTnatural@saveland.org was the contact for further information.

 

January 2016 Book Selection

gathering moss

The Natural History Society Book Club will discuss Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer on Monday, January 25, 2016, from 3:30 – 5:00. We will meet at Wendy Feltham’s house.  E-mail Jean at jltnatural@saveland.org for directions, if needed.

Gathering Moss  is a beautifully written mix of science and personal reflection, inviting readers to explore and learn from the simple lives of mosses.  It is not an identification guide, nor is it a scientific treatise.  It is a series of personal essays that leads readers to an understanding of how mosses live and are intertwined with the lives of countless other beings–from salmon and hummingbirds to redwoods.  Kimmerer explains the biology of mosses, at the same time reflecting on what these largely unnoticed organisms have to teach us.

 

Bees and biodiversity

Photo Jerry FreilichEntomologist Jerry Freilich, recently retired as Olympic National Park’s research coordinator, presented Bees and Biodiversity on January 7, 2016, at the QUUF.

Most people can name perhaps three or four kinds of bees. They are incredulous to learn that there are actually close to 4,000 species of native bees in North America and this does not include honey bees (which are non-native). One of Freilich’s most recent projects was an effort to find and identify as many bee species as possible in Olympic National Park.

Grindelia integrifolia Entire-leaved GumweedThis talk explained why bees are so difficult to study. Most are tiny, fast-flying and inconspicuous. They go about their jobs, don’t interact with people, and generally fly below human radar.

The program began at 7 pm in the QUUF’s sanctuary hall on San Juan Avenue, Port Townsend. This event was free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of five dollars.

A Mushroom Walk

On November 20, 2015, we learned about mushrooms with the Natural History Society. We joined mushroom enthusiast Caroline Robertson and naturalist Ken Wilson for an introduction to local mushrooms.

We looked at the features that distinguish one mushroom from another and tried our hand at identifying some of the common species we found. We learned some ecological roles and astonishing facts. We dressed for the weather and uneven terrain.

The number of participants was limited. Janell at JLTnatural@saveland.org was the contact for information.

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