Video 1

Following a Game Trail in Hobson Forest

 

Photo Essay 3

Beauty in Decay

These photos were taken in Hobson Forest in Bemidji, MN.

Whenever something dies in nature, new things begin to grow. The circle of life presents itself to us, in small ways, all around in the outdoors. This mushroom is a birch polypore. It grows darker in color with age. ISO: 400

This mushroom is the common basidiocarp. There are many varieties and they can be found growing in the dirt, on trees or in this case, on top of a dead tree stump. It has been fully reclaimed by living things creating their own "mini-forest" by feeding on the decaying stump. ISO: 560

This is the bracket or shelf fungus know as Cerrena and grows in layers. This group looks like a winding staircase or a figure eight and, it is working to break down this dead log and return it to the earth. ISO: 400

This group of Cerrena demonstrates the many possible colors of the fungi and seems to be divided by the stick that is leaning against this log. It illustrates how things in nature can be so similar, yet so different, even in small spaces such as this. ISO: 320

Cerrena can grow in many types of clusters. Half of this group resembles rose petals, while the other half looks relatively normal. No matter what it looks like, the Cerrena is still working hard to break down the dead log. ISO: 400

When Cerrena is referred to as being "shelf-like" this photo depicts what it is that gives it that name. These two standing stumps are covered in layer upon layer, or shelves, of Cerrena. The fungi growing on these stumps combined with the log resting on them, does a good job of depicting the balance in nature. There is always the balance of life and death, but this shows, also, the balance of space in nature. ISO: 100

This is a different form of a polypore. Moss and other lichens have taken over most of this tree, but this group of polypores managed to find its place upon this tree. Surrounded by leaves and other debris, it will not be long before this dead tree blends into the earth and becomes food for other forms of life. ISO: 1600

This mushroom is known as Flammulina Velutipes or, more commonly, Velvet Shank. This mushroom is one of a group of mushrooms that have made their home on and around a dead stump. Accompanied by moss and other forest debris this Velvet Shank has taken over the stump and turned something dead into a carpet of living things. ISO: 500

I end this photo story with a group of Velvet Shanks. Living in very close quarters with moss and grass, they are helping to reclaim the lower portions of the stump. Though it is covered in pine needles, I could not help but think that this must be the real-life version of "Smurftown." ISO: 400

Soundscape 1

Photo Essay 2

A Day in the Life of a Chipmunk 

(from the perspective of a scientist)

Photos were taken with my Nikon D3100, with a 55-200mm lens. None of these photos were edited.

Chipmunks are omnivores and eat a variety of foods including berries,

(ISO: 560)

and nuts such as acorns.

(ISO: 3200)

Chipmunks don't need much water because of all the berries they eat, but when other water sources dry out water can be found on leaves after rain or heavy fog.

(ISO: 400)

Small burrows such as this one, well hidden by leaves and pine needles, make great homes for the chipmunks to hide in and to store food for the winter.

(ISO: 400)

Chipmunks are very small and they see the world from the underside.

(ISO: 100)

As small as they are, they can't always hide from predators, like large birds, that may want to eat them.

(ISO: 400)