April 7. I know the view of the river, the marsh and the forest beyond is remarkable. I could see it a few hours ago. Geese maneuvered through the remnants of last fall's cattails, and the air was filled with calls from a pair of recently returned ospreys getting reacquainted. Now, I can't see more…Read more Pif… Pif…
Peep S’Mores Fondue (Easter Canteen Cup)
I've been doing some creative things lately in camp cooking - but I've been negligent in posting. Most of my energy has been in matching the aggressive schedule of a bunch of YouTubers, and collaborations around "Canteen Cup" cooking. Truth be told, the canteen cup (the aluminum or stainless, kidney-shaped pot, about 2-1/2 cups in…Read more Peep S’Mores Fondue (Easter Canteen Cup)
On the Prowl
A beautiful redtail hawk, looking for mice, rabbits...maybe squirrels?
Ah… Spring, and Stuff (Astronomy: Week of 4/1/18)
As I write this, on 3/31/18, a Blue Moon is rising on the night before Easter Sunday. By convention (and agreement per the Council of Nicaea in the year 325), Easter occurs on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after the Vernal Equinox - one of the few remaining holidays that…Read more Ah… Spring, and Stuff (Astronomy: Week of 4/1/18)
Quality Time
Nothing like a good fire to serve as the backdrop to catch up with family.
Spring at Last!
Spring is finally here, I think. Happy Easter!
The Spring Star, and…Death From Above! (Astronomy: Week of 3/25/18)
Made you look! That title echoes a lot of what I've seen in more popular media this week, and maybe it worked and got your attention... but the truth is, you're PROBABLY not going to die because of a falling space station this week. As I wrote a couple months ago (happily, because it gave…Read more The Spring Star, and…Death From Above! (Astronomy: Week of 3/25/18)
My Favorite Place
One of my favorite places in the world is the one I carry with me. My tent, and the rest of my backpacking setup, allow me to escape to almost anywhere. This particular spot was a great one - 20 miles from the nearest pavement, high in the Colorado Rockies, easily one of the quietest…Read more My Favorite Place
Three Planets and a Moon
As twilight ended on March 18, we could see our entire inner solar system in one shot: The Earth, Moon, Venus, and Mercury (left to right).
No Place I’d Rather Be…
Taken on day six of eleven along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, this was atop Stony Man Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. Though I was tired, run-down, and smelled even worse than I looked - there's no place I'd rather be! This was posted in response to the Daily Post's Weekly Photo Challenge - I'd…Read more No Place I’d Rather Be…
To Clean, or Not To Clean – Water in the Backcountry
A few months ago, an article published by Slate started to get a lot of attention, for suggesting that the practice of treating backcountry water sources against possible pathogens was built on myth. No doubt it got the buzz Slate was looking for, but I pretty much ignored it at the time. Recently though, I was pointed…Read more To Clean, or Not To Clean – Water in the Backcountry
Spring Planets! (Astronomy: Week of 3/18/18)
I am writing this on St. Patrick's Day. Erin Go Bragh! And I'm casting a glance fairly frequently out the window these days, looking for green. Spring is coming - the vernal equinox actually occurs on the 20th this year (Tuesday) - just after noon (12:45pm EDT). Often confused with "the first day of Spring",…Read more Spring Planets! (Astronomy: Week of 3/18/18)
Miocene Fossils
The prize that everyone seeks at Calvert Cliffs is a fossil megalodon tooth - the hand-sized weapon of a 60 foot shark that cruised this area in the Miocene (roughly 20 to 5.3 million years ago). But other, more ordinary shark tooth fossils can be found (upper right), as well as mollusk shells (whelk, scallops…Read more Miocene Fossils
Good Morning Campers!
Lucky enough to spend the weekend with a great group of youth at an otherwise inaccessible part of Calvert Cliffs SP along the Chesapeake. A bit chilly, but a beautiful weekend in a beautiful place!
Winter Casualty
Every year this time I see relics of those who didn't survive the winter. I'm not a forensic expert, but based on the thin orbital bones (around the eyes) and the occipital ridge (across top of head), this appears to be a striped skunk whose remains were probably scattered by vultures. The skull, but nothing…Read more Winter Casualty
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 