Northern Velebit National Park

By Eilene Lyon Your first question must be, “Where on earth is Northern Velebit National Park?” The answer is “Croatia!” This park lies in the north region of the greater Velebit Nature Park. Another national park is located in the southern end. Northern Velebit is Croatia’s newest national park, established in 1981. It isn’t even... Continue Reading →

November 7, 2019 30

For the Birds

By Eilene Lyon The latest issue of Living Bird Magazine from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a clarion call to bird and nature lovers everywhere. I urge you to at least read the editorial "The choir must become a force for change." Somewhere between 45 and 50 million Americans say they are bird watchers.... Continue Reading →

November 5, 2019 31

Rio Grande Headwaters

By Eilene Lyon South of the South Fork of the Rio Grande that flows down from Wolf Creek Pass, the campers (many of them hunters) were thick as late-summer flies. We spent one night on Park Creek as a waypoint between the Conejos River (two nights) and the Rio Grande headwaters, west of Creede, Colorado.... Continue Reading →

September 17, 2019 38

A Bird In Hand

By Eilene Lyon My usual MO when it comes to wildlife is “observe, don’t touch.” After all, we make life difficult enough for critters as it is. No need to add to their stress. Sometimes, though, a compelling conservation reason negates the usual policy. Based on long-term surveys, e.g. the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, it’s... Continue Reading →

August 27, 2019 36

The Shrinking Tree

Or, Why Charlemagne is Not My Ancestor By Eilene Lyon My recent post, The Instant Tree, sparked a discussion with Zoe Krainik from Hollywood Genes which I thought worthy of expanding on. Zoe provided a link to this article that seems to suggest that each European today is descended from everyone living in Europe during... Continue Reading →

August 13, 2019 34

First Ascent

Week 26: #52 Ancestors – Legend By Eilene Lyon A Man on the Move In researching my Jones relatives for the California gold rush book, I discovered a legendary figure who eventually married into the family. Elias Davidson Pierce was born in Harrison County, Virginia, in 1824. But upon reaching adulthood, he moved on and... Continue Reading →

July 11, 2019 30

Alien Invasion

By Eilene Lyon You may have noticed I haven’t posted much lately. This week saw me overwhelmed in fighting aliens – right here at home! They go by the name of Scorzonera laciniata. Yes, I mean a dastardly weed invading our property, threatening to take over, lock, stock, and barrel. I first spotted the cutleaf... Continue Reading →

May 24, 2019 25

Unheard Of

By Eilene Lyon I am looking at a white sheet draped across my normally expansive view. Yep, it is snowing here in southwest Colorado. The local ski area, Purgatory, plans on opening this weekend with all the fresh pow they're getting. Crazy!! Happy May!

May 20, 2019 27

The Botanist

Week 20: #52 Ancestors – Nature By Eilene Lyon You’ve met my great-grandmother, Clara Ransom Davis in several earlier posts. Clara moved to Idaho as a teen and attended Moscow High School, becoming a teacher at 16, while still in school herself. She attended the University of Idaho, and graduated with the third class in... Continue Reading →

May 19, 2019 30