by Winding Pathways | Nov 16, 2014 | Nature, Wonderment
Bring nature inside this winter with a selection of books from two “nature friendly” stores. Winding Pathways encourages readers to shop locally to support small community businesses. Happy reading!
Step into the warmth of winter reading with a great selection at New Bo Books.
Books at New Bo Books
New Bo Books is a local bookstore affiliated with Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City. Check out their wide array of current adult topics and children’s classics for this Holiday Season.
For Children
A Leaf Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas. ISBN 9780761362036. A leaf is a leaf – or is it more? This poetic book helps little ones explore the role leaves play throughout the year.
If You Hold a Seed by Elly MacKay. ISBN 9789762447213. Inspire those you love; either a seed or a dream, planted and nurtured can grow. Beautiful illustrations!
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies. ISBN 9780763655495. An illustrated treasury of poems that reflect what children learn in their first encounters with nature.
Adult Nonfiction
Mountain Eyes by Scott Peters. Self-published. Wonderful photography and insightful reflections on man and nature from Scott Peters’ travels in Alaska, Patagonia and the Pacific Crest Trail. Number x120.
American Canopy by Eric Rutkow. ISBN 9781439193587. A broad historical study of the deep connection between America and its trees, from the colonial era to present day.
After a brisk walk on the trail stop in to pick up some great winter reading.
Books at Indian Creek Nature Center
Indian Creek Nature Center features a variety of books for children and adults. Certain general adult topic books are on sale for 20% off until gone. They also carry great nature/science kits for kids (Animal Tracks, Science on a Nature Walk, Going Green). New this year are all natural with bark still on building block sets and origami projects and books.
Just out: The Tallgrass Prairie Reader. Edited by John T. Price – University of Iowa Press ISBN-13 9781609382469. A wonderful collection of literature from and about the Tallgrass bioregion with voices and perspectives from the days of buffalo and immense prairies into the present. Individual writers honor the Tallgrass Prairie from their unique experiences and perspective.
Children’s Books
Hunting Red by Jean Snodgress Wiedenheft. ISBN 9780615907925. Inspired by the plants, animals and landforms of Indian Creek Nature Center, Hunting Red takes you on an adventure looking for the color red as it appears in nature.
The Prairie that Nature Built by Marybeth Lorbiecki. ISBN 9781584694922. Romp through the prairie above, below and all around while also discovering unique creatures and fragile places. This beautiful richly illustrated book also comes with a scan code to get the free pop-up app. Watch the animals pop up from each page!
Adult Nonfiction
The Locavore Way by Amy Colter. ISBN9781603424530. Discover and enjoy the pleasures of Locally Grown Food. Learn how to source, experience and savor the freshest foods from your area. Features sustainability, and organic and humanely raised food.
Home Herbal Remedies by Melanie Wenzel. ISBN9780778804895. Recipes, treatments, sources and identification guide with photos. Exceptionally complete guide written by a homeopath expert.
New Bo Books (Continued)
For Children
Great reading at New Bo Books!
On the Wing by Dave Elliott. ISBN 9780763653248. Take to the sky to explore all things avian – from the tiny, restless hummingbird to the Great Horned Owl. Verse and lovely illustrations.
The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynn Cherry. ISBN 9780152026141. A story to bring the larger story of endangered rain forests to life by taking the problem one creature at a time. Vibrantly colored watercolor drawings and a letter from the author to her readers to inspire care for the world.
These Bees Count by Alison Formento. ISBN 9780807578681. Can bees talk? Listen to their buzz as they count their way through fields and flowers.
This Tree Counts by Alison Formento. ISBN 9780807578902. Trees talk, if you listen very closely. Count your way through the worms, birds and others that need trees. In the end, trees most need friends like you!
Adult Nonfiction
Walden by Henry David Thoreau. ISBN 9781590306383. This lovely edition of the classic is complete with exquisite wood engravings that bring the text to life.
The Outermost House: A Year of Living on the Great Beach of Cape Cod by Henry Beston. ISBN 9780805073683. This modern twist on Thoreau’s Walden is a nature classic filled with the wonders of life itself. This book captures humanity’s relationship with nature.
A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There by Aldo Leopold. ISBN 9780195059281. Outdoor prose writing at its best by one of the foremost conservationists of our time. A book filled with beauty, vigor, and bite. Reveals Leopold’s deep love for a healthy land.
Adult Fiction
The River Why by David James Duncan. ISBN 9781578050840. Through the eyes of Gus, the young main character, we are led on a series of explorations into the wilds where the reader is treated to direct experience of the coastal rivers and forests. What begins as a physical journey becomes a spiritual one.
Poetry
Drift Ice by Jennifer Atkinson. ISBN 9780979745003. Atkinson evokes the natural world in loving detail. These poems move on inner currents and reveal astonishing worlds within our world.
Darkness Sticks to Everything: Collected and New Poems by Tom Hennen. ISBN 9781556594045. Hennen’s poetry is filled with attentive engagement with the natural world. He writes of seasonal weather, outdoor work, flora, fauna and a nuanced relationship to the upper Midwest.
Indian Creek Nature Center (Continued)
For Children
Nature comes alive in books
Winter Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow. ISBN 9781423637479. All sorts of wonderful discoveries await while on a walk through the winter woods with Grammy. A warm, rhyming tale of animals, birds, trees and surroundings. Includes activities and winter trivia.
Wooly Bear Caterpillar by Laurence Pringle. ISBN 9781620910009. This bright, beautiful book reveals the secrets of the Wooly Bear Caterpillar. Why are they wooly? Find out! Excellent hardcover book for gift giving.
Adventure Board Book Series by Stan Tekiela. Preschool board books written by a naturalist and wildlife photographer. Charm is in the bright and clear pictures that bring the animals to life through fun facts.
Snouts & Sniffers ISBN 9781591934264.
Floppers & Loppers ISBN 9781591934240.
Peepers & Peekers ISBN 978159193423.
Paws & Claws ISBN 9781591934257.
Bird Color by Alison Hill Spencer. ISBN 9781591934288. Realistic and colorful this book introduces kids to birds they might see in their yard or the park as it teaches colors.
Smithsonian’s Nature Activities Bird Watcher by David Burnie. ISBN 075661029X. Hands on guide with easy activities, filled with facts and photos of birds. Also includes a fold out identification chart. Lots of fun!
Series by Claudia McGehee, University of Iowa Press. Each book presents learning opportunities illustrated by lovely scratchboard illustrations.
A Woodland Counting Book. ISBN 0877459894. Walk through the woods counting plants and animals from one to 50. Children will learn about the interactions of the woodland family and the seasons with notes for further discussion.
A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet. ISBN 13 9780877458975. A prairie stroll follows the alphabet with flowers, animals and habitats. Beautifully and colorfully illustrated.
Where Do Birds Live? ISBN-13: 9781587299193. (not annotated)
Airplanes in the Garden – Monarch Butterflies Take Flight by Joan Z. Calder. ISBN 9780983296218. Monarchs are colorfully depicted throughout their life cycle as seen by a little girl who adopts two monarch caterpillars and shares their amazing transformation.
Animal ABC. Firefly books ISBN 13 9781770854567. (not annotated)
Series by Bobbie Kalman. Habitats, animals, weather, seasons, food sources and homes. Photos highlight each topic.
Backyard Habitats ISBN 10 0778729850.
A Grassland Habitat ISBN: 10: 0778729877.
Time for Kids – Butterflies! By the Editors of Time for Kids ISBN 13 9780060782139.
(not annotated)
Chickadee’s Message by Douglas Wood. ISBN 1591932289. Master storyteller shares an inspiring and timeless Native American folktale about goodness and beauty.
Who Was Here? Discovering Wild Animal Tracks by Mia Posada. ISBN 9781447718714.Wild animal tracks! First young readers find tracks and clues then turn the page to discover the animals they belong to!
Numbers in a Row. An Iowa Number Book by Patricia A. Pierce. ISBN 158536164X. All things Iowa counting from one to 100 reflects the wide variety of activities, history, locations, events and beauty all found in Iowa. Great way for kids to learn about the Hawkeye State!
Indian Creek Nature Center also carries great nature and science kits for kids (i.e. Animal Tracks, Science on a Nature Walk, Going Green) and new this year are all natural with bark on building block sets and origami projects and books.
Adult Nonfiction
Raw Energy by Stephanie Tourles. ISBN9781603424677. Nature’s Fast Food! Recipes to restore energy with simple, delicious, portable and raw snacks. Easy to make at home and take along such as bars, smoothies, juices and mixes. Pick it up to learn more!
by Winding Pathways | Nov 10, 2014 | Geology/Weather, Nature, Reflections/Profiles, Wonderment
Obsidian has one characteristic that slag generally lacks – a hint of translucence.
On our recent Antiquities Tour, Rich and I came across interesting rocks on an abandoned railroad bed in Eastern Colorado. The chunks looked like obsidian. They fractured like obsidian and had the feel of obsidian. But, they didn’t quite look right. But blue and pretty! So, we put a bunch in the car. Rich was excited.
One of my geologists colleagues confirmed my observation on the fracturing and glassy feel of the rocks. But, they didn’t have the slightly translucent look of obsidian. Still I like them. So, I gave some to friends.
One scientist friend, Linda Mueller, appreciated the rock and investigated further. Here is our conversation on FB.
“I’ve been asking around about the rock you gave me. The consensus seems to be that the colors indicate that it’s slag glass and not obsidian. Certain areas in Colorado use it as railroad ballast. Obsidian and glass slag are so similar that it’s often difficult the tell the difference. Unscrupulous ebay sellers have taken advantage of this and have sold the artificial form as the real thing.
“Anyhow, whatever it is, I’m still fascinated by it. It’s beautiful and it will remain on my desk as a paperweight. Thank you again for it.”
I replied, “Thanks for checking this out!”
Linda added, “I was hoping for something interesting like turquoise. Still the stone is calming in a odd sort of way. It’s cool to the touch and smooth among the rough (parts).”
My thought: “Maybe good energy can come from slag. Say, that might be a good blog! Help me write it?”
So Linda did the work!
Linda: “I think so. The rock is truly entrancing. I can’t explain it. From the moment I saw it, I was fascinated by it. It was a special gift. I truly mean that.
“When you think about it, it does look a lot like obsidian, which is volcanic glass. I can’t remember what you said the spiritual properties of obsidian are but I wonder if they mirror the history of the stone? A huge amount of geothermal energy is needed to create obsidian. It flows from a volcano, then cools and solidifies. Tension moving toward calm? (Great analogy, I thought!)
“Glass slag is similar to obsidian; it, too, consists mainly of silica dioxide. It’s formed by heating ores (rock) to high temperatures. It’s a human-made rock, but it’s not a new technique. Humans have been creating it since the late bronze age (1500 – 1000 BCE). At least three thousand years! Wow! Ancient man found other uses for the leftover glass slag. They recycled it even then. Somehow we lost sight of that when technology gave us easier ways to make glass and pottery. Now we’ve come full circle and have found uses for it again.
“Might glass slag have properties similar to obsidian since the two are so similar? When I hold the rock, I feel calm. It takes away tension. The coolness and the weight of the stone is comfortable. Like obsidian, it was formed from heat/molten rock (tension) and it’s present state is cool/solid rock (calm).
“When you think about it, it fits. You and I have a strong interest in preservation, recycling, taking care of the earth. The rock cries out:
“‘Hey, look at the beauty and usefulness I have! Quit taking rocks from the earth to crush for railroad ballast when you already have me. I was needed for another purpose and now that it is complete, I’m moving on to my next one.’
“Everyone I’ve shown it to has had positive reactions to it. I wonder why that is?”
So, our on-line conversation ended here. But perhaps readers can weigh in and add to this. Obsidian or Slag – What Does it Matter?
The gift had the intention of love, perhaps that is a clue.
by Winding Pathways | Nov 1, 2014 | Nature
Need help identifying a plant or bird? Want to take a walk through a woodland, prairie or wetland? Interested in mixing with other folks who enjoy the outdoors or, perhaps, volunteering to take children on outdoor adventures?
Connect with your local nature center. About a thousand centers are scattered about the United States and Canada. Most, but far from all, are in urban areas. Some are funded and operated by governments but many are private nonprofit organizations.
No matter how your local nature center is funded or operated it typically hires staff naturalists and educators well versed in subject areas such as local fauna and flora, geology and astronomy. A nature center is often the best place to get information about nature. Typically centers offer educational programs for families, adults and school groups. Most welcome and train volunteers for a variety of fascinating tasks.
Nature centers normally have a building, natural land bisected by trail, and a dandy website to help keep folks up to date on what’s happening outside.
Two good ways to find the center closest to you are:
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) has a member Reciprocal Benefits Program.
Wikipedia has a list of nature centers organized by state. Remember, anyone can add or edit which is both good and bad. Check to verify information.
by Winding Pathways | Oct 23, 2014 | Mammals, Nature, Pests
People often ask us why they see does and fawns but rarely antlered buck deer.
The easy answer is that bucks are exceedingly wary. Although common in urban and rural areas they have an astonishing ability to stay out of sight. Yet many massive stags live unseen in cities and towns.
Early November is an exception for seeing bucks. Across most of the United States deer are in the mating season, or rut, between late October and the first half of November. Bucks abandon their usual caution and focus on mating with as many does as possible. The largest and most aggressive males mate with the most does, and during the rut they are seen in odd places and at any time of the day or night as they seek females in heat. Rutting bucks have swollen necks and polished antlers that often shine in the sun. They are magnificent!
By the end of November nearly all mature does will have mated and begun a pregnancy that will culminate with late May and early June births. Many does have twins or triplets. Well-nourished female fawns born this spring mate during a smaller rut in early December and will give birth, usually to a single fawn, next July.
November is the best month to watch deer, but it can be dangerous as the temporarily nonwary animals dart across roads. Deer/car collisions peak during the rut in both rural and urban areas.
Drive carefully!
by Winding Pathways | Oct 21, 2014 | Bugs, Nature
October is the perfect time to talk about spiders. With all things Halloween interest is high. And, with cooler temperatures upon us arachnids are feasting on insects seeking shelter from coming winter and some are in fall migration mode. While used to seeing webs outdoors and in window sills most people rarely see these beneficial but somewhat creepy creatures. Too many get “freaked out” over them. Like all creatures spiders do have a purpose and we can admire their characteristics without getting too cozy with them.
On a recent trip to the South West we were startled to see “leaves” scuttling across the open road when no wind was blowing. Turns out they were young male tarantulas looking to stake their territory. Amazed, we stopped to film as dozens of hairy eight-legged dudes hustled across the wide open spaces of asphalt to the security of the taller grasses. Later at Old Fort Bent National Historic Site, La Junta, Colorado, the Ranger explained the migration phenomenon to us sharing how he and his wife had counted scores on a recent short evening drive. We opted to “motel” that night over tent out. Tarantula Migration
It’s one thing to see spiders outside and avoid them. It’s another to know they are “in your space.” Few indoor sightings are as startling as spotting a spider……sometimes a large one…..on the basement floor, wall, or even ceiling. Too many people misunderstand and fear these eight legged animals.
Spiders live in homes for at least two reasons. Like box elder bugs and mice they know cold weather is coming and seek warm places to overwinter. Homes offer more than warmth. They are also a fruitful hunting ground for these super predators. Most houses, even those kept especially clean, are an ecosystem of insects and other invertebrates that spiders catch and devour. Both the bugs and their hunters are usually most numerous down in the basement, where they find more consistent temperature and higher humidity than upstairs. Darkness doesn’t trouble them.
Some spiders are conspicuous while others remain out of sight, but there are likely many more in the house than are ever spotted.
The spider downstairs could be one of many species. Most don’t build webs but catch their prey by either waiting in ambush and pouncing on a hapless insect or running it down. The dark basement can be like a miniature Serengeti, with spiders taking the predatory role of lions and insects the antelope prey. They help keep household insect numbers down.
Although some spiders can inflict a painful bite that is slow to heal, the odds of being bitten by a house spider are low. Thoroughly caulking and weather stripping a home makes it harder for both spiders and cold air to enter. Spiders are arachnids, not insects, but most common household insecticides kill them. At Winding Pathways we shun the poisons and try to live and let eat!
