Impression Evergreen

Song Sparrow In the soggy marshland surrounding Evergreen Lake he sings his heart out. His sweet music includes twenty different tunes and at least 1,000 improvised variations so it’s no wonder they call him the song sparrow. Full of complex rhythm and emotion, his colorful vocalizations are used to attract females and defend territory. His unique, prolonged melody distinguishes him as a neighbor rather than a stranger. This common sparrow is an adaptable bird whose behavior and appearance is extremely variable and unpredictable. He is found throughout North America but individuals from different regions look completely different from each other. In our neck of the woods, the song sparrow is described by brown, heavily streaked plumage, a mottled back and a white throat. His face is gray with a dark eye line and a white jaw line while his reddish crown has a neat gray stripe. The female builds a nest that’s usually concealed somewhere near the ground but he does help colle

A Talk with the Woods “Go sit under a tree and listen and think.” ~ Walt Whitman This week's post is written by my uncle, Jerry Covault. Jerry is a retired United States Forest Service Ranger. During his 33 years spent working on National Forests in Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, he has learned about the relationships between mountains, forests, soils, weather, fire, animals and people. Jerry shares some of his unique experiences in his new book "About Forests and People". He resolves to stimulate interest and curiosity about trees and forests and how people use them both through the ages and at present time. Jerry also discusses the problems our forests and environment have today and he suggests a few things that can help. The following essay by Jerry Covault is taken from his book "About Forests and People". A Talk with the Woods Fragment: From the Alfoxden Notebook (I) And never for each other shall we feel As we may feel, till we

Warren Woods, Indiana Situated in central Indiana, Warren Woods is a fairytale-like forest bursting with lush greenery and blue flowers. A little, brown creek flows peacefully through the heart of a deciduous bird dwelling. An amazing variety of calls can be heard, sung by the canopy's unseen inhabitants. The noisy chatter is a bit comforting for the new visitor as the happy chorus permeates an eerie atmosphere. Lingering gray skies are evidence of recent thunderstorms whose heavy rainfall has drenched the dark Woodland. The soggy trails are a flooded mess, splattering mud with every step. Encamped in Eastern Territory for the first time, I'm inspired by the lovely landscape and all of the birds, trees and water. It’s a temperate climate with a humidity that’s as warm as a blanket. After a few days exploring the flatlands, it’s time to leave. Upon our return to the high country West, we're welcomed by 15 inches of wet snow - it's great to be home. A fai