The Art of Ecology
Building visual connections between people and nature.
Tag: nature
Bald Eagles along the Delaware River
In spring of 2021, I wrote the Habitat Article for the local River Towns Magazine. The below is the blog version of the post – enjoy! A once dying raptor, Bald Eagles now have healthy habitat they need to thrive! In the 1960’s and 70’s, the Bald Eagle, our National symbol, was on the verge …
Eco-friendly Ideas for Old Halloween Pumpkins
Halloween has come and gone – it’s November and already the Christmas decorations are available in stores! Let’s face it, it’s almost time to swap out the pumpkin and gourd decorations for holly wreathes. So, what should we do with those old gourds? They’re organic and can’t properly decompose without soil microbes and air, so …
Importance of Terrestrial Trees on Aquatic Habitats: a story
As part of my Aquatic Ecosystems graduate class, I wrote a little interpretive story of a feature of a local water body system. I chose to narrate the importance of riparian zone trees and their leaves on aquatic creek life. “It is a cool, misty sort of autumn day at Hollow Creek. The trees along …
Interpreting Tree Rings
We know that in looking at a tree slice, we can count the rings to tell the age, but did you know that we can learn a LOT more than just age from the rings? What are Tree Rings? When you cut a slice of tree, you are left with what’s called a Tree Cookie. …
Peach Fuzz – Pantone’s 2024 Color of the Year in Nature
Hibiscus, orchids, and soft sunrises bring a soothing sort of cheer. The color of these natural scapes are so welcome, but what exactly is that color called? Pantone has selected Peach Fuzz, a soft, pinkish-orange hue to be the 2024 color of the year! PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and …
Who’s that knocking on my tree?
Throughout the year, we can hear the resounding “Rap-tap-tapping” of woodpeckers slamming their chisel-like beaks into the sides of trees, so why might we see more of them in autumn and winter? The primary reason is because there is a lack of foliage to get in the way of our sight! Many of our local …
Butterfly Wings & Their Function
I always love seeing the beauty of butterflies this time of year as they flit around from flower to flower! I love the vibrant orange of the Monarchs and Viceroys, the yellow of the Tiger Swallowtails, and the blue-ish spots of the Red-Spotted Purple. Colorful butterfly wings also have fascinating anatomy that helps them fly …
Sounds of Summer: Cicadas
Starting in July or August, you might hear some loud screeching or buzzing from the treetops. Don’t be scared! The cicadas, endemic to North America, have emerged and the adults are trying to attract mates through their “beautiful” screaming. What IS a Cicada?! Cicadas are true bugs, meaning that they have three body parts, three …
How Art & Nature Can Enhance Education
When we combine artistic mediums with environmental science topics, we can increase our knowledge about the natural world, and how we act as stewards of the ecosystems around us. WHY art is so beneficial to increasing our understanding, regardless of subject or topic? The Role of Art in Learning Styles Art, or something made via …
Feathruary 2023 Art Challenge
This past month I’ve been creating art as part of the #Feathruary2023 by @MischievousRedFox on Instagram. Illustrating birds is not only fun, and a great way for me to learn more about bird identifying characteristics, and sharing the finished piece is a good way to increase appreciation and respect for the bird world. Each piece …
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