During an excursion to a high-altitude meadow, I found myself admiring the small things as well as the big. Plus, some thoughts on beavers and lodgepoles in Yosemite National Park's Tuolumne Meadows.
This: Tiny flowers drew my head down. They were packed so tightly into the vast field. Tunnels wove in and out under them, making the ground uneven and swelling with mounds. Small white, purple and yellow flowers, no bigger than a nickle, swayed lightly between grasses of all shades of green. Buckwheat, aster, cinquefoil, goldenrod, sunflowers and penstemon. Teenee yellow and brown mountain pretty face.
Gorgeous writing, Amanda. You bring hope clad in splendid attire, adorned with brainy scientific jewels.
Lovely observations and thought provoking commentary. Bugs are definitely not my thing, but much like Charolette’s story I’m drawn into a new world through your storytelling. I’m almost ready to lay on the ground and see what happens. Bug bathing indeed.
Hi Amanda - I just discovered your newsletter an am delighted. As far as beavers go...once volunteered at a state park outside Olympia WA. Old growth timber growing on wetlands too moist to log, so they donated it to the state. Biggest problem for the park were the beavers. They incessantly dammed the creek and flooded the entrance gate and parking area. Part of my job was to remove beaver dams to reduce flooding. They are amazing engineers, their dams almost impregnable. One day, a trail was newly flooded. I put on waders and went out in the marsh to find the dam. I heard water flowing over an obstruction...like a zen water feature. I waded into an opening...and into paradise. The beavers had constructed a dozen different low dams. And all of them had been topped and had become 6 to 12 inch waterfalls with lovely tranquil pools behind. I was astounded. Never broke another dam. Thanks for this newsletter, it is much needed.
Very cool. The book "Eager" discusses several different technologies being deployed to help beavers have their dams while also allowing water to flow through and prevent flooding above the dams. These devices drive the beavers crazy, but they help keep them around. Apparently, they're very cost-effective, too. Nice to have you here!
The Pleiades meteor shower you must have seen in August night sky. Milky Way turns gold as night time ticks bye. Flowers are many until snow flies. Love the Sierras climbing mountain trails. Golden trout in highest lakes. Much appreciate your support and gift of photos. Observations.
Hmmm I’ve seen this post and I’ve seen your notes and I beg to differ - I think you truly might be a bug person! 😆. This is so absolutely beautifully written and I got very excited about the beavers. Can’t wait to hear more.
Please tell me how you go on hikes without taking pictures because I have not mastered this amount of self discipline. It’s funny you said you might miss something otherwise, that’s exactly how I feel if I don’t! I think it’s a level of ocd that I need to work out in therapy, but you’ve inspired me to try a hike without my camera. Yikes 😬.
I might have experienced a conversion that day. : )
I don't know why I don't want to stop and take out the camera. But lately, I'm seeing more things I want to share here. Maybe this place will change me that way.
What a lovely selection of bugs from your walk and who could resist a flower called Mountain Pretty Face?
Beavers have done wonderful things in some of the areas of the UK where they've been reintroduced.
I'm so happy beavers have been able to return to the UK. It seems some of it was quite covert ... but all for the best.
Yes it was all quite controversial, some beavers 'escaped' and set up home illicitly....
This: Tiny flowers drew my head down. They were packed so tightly into the vast field. Tunnels wove in and out under them, making the ground uneven and swelling with mounds. Small white, purple and yellow flowers, no bigger than a nickle, swayed lightly between grasses of all shades of green. Buckwheat, aster, cinquefoil, goldenrod, sunflowers and penstemon. Teenee yellow and brown mountain pretty face.
Gorgeous writing, Amanda. You bring hope clad in splendid attire, adorned with brainy scientific jewels.
Thanks, Julie. That's high praise. : )
Lovely observations and thought provoking commentary. Bugs are definitely not my thing, but much like Charolette’s story I’m drawn into a new world through your storytelling. I’m almost ready to lay on the ground and see what happens. Bug bathing indeed.
I've accomplished something today if I've inspired you to try it. : )
The first step to saving something is loving it. Thanks for sharing your beautiful words of appreciation of all natural things big and small.
Thank you, Liz.
Hi Amanda - I just discovered your newsletter an am delighted. As far as beavers go...once volunteered at a state park outside Olympia WA. Old growth timber growing on wetlands too moist to log, so they donated it to the state. Biggest problem for the park were the beavers. They incessantly dammed the creek and flooded the entrance gate and parking area. Part of my job was to remove beaver dams to reduce flooding. They are amazing engineers, their dams almost impregnable. One day, a trail was newly flooded. I put on waders and went out in the marsh to find the dam. I heard water flowing over an obstruction...like a zen water feature. I waded into an opening...and into paradise. The beavers had constructed a dozen different low dams. And all of them had been topped and had become 6 to 12 inch waterfalls with lovely tranquil pools behind. I was astounded. Never broke another dam. Thanks for this newsletter, it is much needed.
Very cool. The book "Eager" discusses several different technologies being deployed to help beavers have their dams while also allowing water to flow through and prevent flooding above the dams. These devices drive the beavers crazy, but they help keep them around. Apparently, they're very cost-effective, too. Nice to have you here!
A beautiful spot. I went fly fishing up the Lyell fork in late August. Exceptional place…
The Pleiades meteor shower you must have seen in August night sky. Milky Way turns gold as night time ticks bye. Flowers are many until snow flies. Love the Sierras climbing mountain trails. Golden trout in highest lakes. Much appreciate your support and gift of photos. Observations.
Thank you, Richard. Very poetic. : )
Yes, I didn't mention the trout are indeed golden.
Oh and I am absolutely obsessed with the fuzzy butts!! 😍
Hmmm I’ve seen this post and I’ve seen your notes and I beg to differ - I think you truly might be a bug person! 😆. This is so absolutely beautifully written and I got very excited about the beavers. Can’t wait to hear more.
Please tell me how you go on hikes without taking pictures because I have not mastered this amount of self discipline. It’s funny you said you might miss something otherwise, that’s exactly how I feel if I don’t! I think it’s a level of ocd that I need to work out in therapy, but you’ve inspired me to try a hike without my camera. Yikes 😬.
I might have experienced a conversion that day. : )
I don't know why I don't want to stop and take out the camera. But lately, I'm seeing more things I want to share here. Maybe this place will change me that way.
Very informative. I too treasure the Tuolumne. Wonderful photo of Lyell Creek meadow.