Monthly Archives: November 2013

Doubts

Posted on November 29, 2013 by the roused bear

I have built some of my musings on this blog about a butterfly called the Poweshiek skipper, Oarisma poweshiek.  The species description was published under Henry Parker’s name, although I think Henry’s wife Helen played a more significant role in … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Dad

Posted on November 28, 2013 by the roused bear

Today would have been my Dad’s 96th birthday if he was still around.  He was a woodworker whose hobby was woodworking.  Sometime when he was semi-retired (he was self employed, so he never really retired) he built these scale models … Continue reading →

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Heath Aster

Posted on November 27, 2013 by the roused bear

Heath aster, Aster ericoides, is a late-blooming small white flower that is attractive to a wide variety of late season pollinators. It forms a wonderful backdrop for small butterflies, bees, wasps, and a host of small flies. When it has … Continue reading →

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Looking West

Posted on November 25, 2013 by the roused bear

I took this picture tonight.  This was a snapshot, not really a composed landscape shot. I have taken better winter shots in March than November or December–it’s not that the light is different, but I simply have more time after … Continue reading →

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The Bluebirds are Gone

Posted on November 24, 2013 by the roused bear

We had some snow here a few days ago.  It was early, and I am not really ready for it.  But the bluebirds are–they have been gone for some time. Their house will serve nicely for deer mice for the … Continue reading →

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An Exciting Post about Hazardous Air Pollutants

Posted on November 23, 2013 by the roused bear

I spent a little more than two days at work this week putting together a spreadsheet of hazardous air pollutant emission estimates for Camp Dodge.  I already knew the results but I needed to put together the documentation in a … Continue reading →

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What do you measure, and how do you measure it?

Posted on November 19, 2013 by the roused bear

I wanted to learn a little bit about mapping software–GIS systems, and someone suggested I read a book called How to Lie with Maps first.  I haven’t gotten around to learning the software yet, but I did read the book. … Continue reading →

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Storm Clouds

Posted on November 17, 2013 by the roused bear

I saw these clouds yesterday.  It is getting late in the season here for thunderclouds–they are more common on hot, humid summer days. It rained today, and the forecast is for cooler weather.

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Counting and Chasing Butterflies

Posted on November 15, 2013 by the roused bear

I have been doing butterfly surveys for over ten years, often over my lunch break at work.  This year I counted 24 species in the surveys.  I also chase them and photograph them.  I got photos of 35 species (all … Continue reading →

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Noon Walk Butterflies

Posted on November 13, 2013 by the roused bear

I take a walk over my lunch break, and I count butterflies as I am doing it.  Here are the results of this year’s surveys.  I saw 24 species, 943 total butterflies.  The species where I counted more than one … Continue reading →

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