Educator. Engineer. Experimenter.
So… our guppies had a bunch of babies and I was wondering what to do with them. To prevent them from being eaten, I separated them into a small 2.5 gallon tank we had lying around unused, but changing the water daily was starting to be a real drag. And that’s when I finally discovered…
Jim Mattield and I just finished seal coating the new Turtle Trail Boardwalk at Camp Boggy Creek. We all want this beautiful wooden walkway to survive that Florida sun and humidity, so it’s important to protect it. That dark, rich color will lighten a bit as it dries, but still look nice and finished. We…
Today I helped paint the barn, rodeo and petting zoo at Camp Boggy Creek with 3 other volunteers. Camp Boggy Creek is a 230 acre non-profit camp and preserve dedicated to terminally ill children and their families. It was started and primarily funded by Paul Newman and General Norman Schwarzkopf in 1996. Additional private…
Today I did some maintenance at Camp Boggy Creek, seal coating the lakeside fire pit benches and stage with a regular volunteer and my dad. Camp Boggy Creek is a 230 acre non-profit camp and preserve dedicated to terminally ill children and their families. It was started and primarily funded by Paul Newman and…
My neighbor altered me to a baby bird (hatchling? / nestling?) on the ground in his front yard and was in immediate danger of being eaten by cats. In fact the parents were swooping down and attacking the cats to protect the baby for hours. Eventually they tired and he had to pick the bird…
I wanted to post about a topic of growing interest to me over the last few years, urban forestry (or micro-forests). They are small, dense forests cultivated in urban areas that provide various benefits. The most popular method of cultivating them is called the Miyawaki Method, after Akira Miyawaki, who pioneered it. Here is a…
Happened upon a beautiful white moth today at Stetson University. I have no idea which species it is, but if you do, please feel free to contact me.
During the pandemic, we often enjoyed the natural springs of Central Florida (near Wekiwa State Park). It was refreshing and healthy to get outside. The water was teeming with life, an inspiration during such a depressing time… In these parts, the water temperature is roughly 72°F year round; so pretty chilly at first but you…
We have only one milkweed plant in our yard, but man is it teeming with life sometimes… monarch butterflies and caterpillars, milkweed bugs, aphids, ladybugs, lizards, etc.
My new office at Stetson University is so serene and beautiful. I am very lucky (and thankful) to have it. It’s located in the historic Elizabeth Hall right next to Lee Chapel. Whenever I need a break, I can simply turn around and look out onto the beautiful palm courtyard. I can often hear lovely…