Life of an Osprey: From Nest to Sky
Read about this osprey’s journey, from a hatchling to a fledgling soaring over Cayuga Lake.
Tag: Ithaca
Stopped Sun
For the “Dead of Winter”
Sense of Scale
Come in and experience how humans are dwarfed by the eons
Frond in Snow
Green Promise
Reflected Sunset
An evening at Cayuga Lake Inlet, home to the Cornell University Crew, is depicted as a serene haven for reflection. The Collyer Boathouse, vital to the local lore, sits across the inlet holding a rich history of crew camaraderie and competition.
Hands of Frogs and the Innocence of Babies
Autumn leaves whisper,
By the calm inlet they dance,
Maple’s red embrace,
History in every branch,
Nature’s heart in silent chant.
Thayer Preserve: Autumn Still Life 3
on display
Crisp maple leaves among hemlock roots on the bank of Lick Brook, Thayer Preserve. Nestled within the breathtaking expanse of Tompkins County in New York’s Finger Lakes Region, is a canvas where nature paints its most exquisite scenes. This preserve is a symphony of serene landscapes, a place where the tranquility of nature is preserved and cherished.
In this haven, the chorus of birdsong greets the day, echoing through the lush canopy of trees that stand as ancient guardians of the land. Oaks, maples, and hemlocks, some as old as time, stretch their boughs towards the sky, creating a verdant cathedral that shelters a diverse array of flora and fauna. The sunlight filters through these leafy domes, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, a mosaic of light and life.
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The trails of Thayer Preserve meander through this natural paradise, inviting visitors to embark on a journey of discovery. Each path is a narrative, telling the story of the land, from the delicate wildflowers that peek shyly from the underbrush to the stately deer that roam with a quiet dignity.
The preserve is not just a place of beauty; it’s a testament to the delicate balance of ecosystems. Here, conservation efforts intertwine with recreation, ensuring that the splendor of the environment is preserved for future generations. It’s a sanctuary where the hustle of modern life fades, and one can reconnect with the earth’s gentle rhythms.
As the seasons change, Thayer Preserve transforms. Spring brings a burst of color, with wildflowers carpeting the ground. Summer deepens the greens of the forest, while autumn sets the woods ablaze with fiery hues. In winter, a serene blanket of snow envelopes the landscape, turning it into a quiet wonderland.
In the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, Thayer Preserve stands as a beacon of natural beauty and tranquility. It’s a place where the soul can find peace, the mind can wander freely, and the heart can revel in the simple joy of nature’s embrace. This preserve is not just a location on a map; it’s a journey, an experience, a love letter to the natural world.
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Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved http://www.MichaelStephenWills.com
ScienceCenter with Grandchildren
The ScienceCenter museum encourages learning about nanotechnology’s prevalence and unpredictable, unique behaviors.
Our day of science began with measurement: each grandchild’s growth is represented on this corner. Even as young adults they visit and are re-measured. Here Rory is making his mark.
Our science inspired museum, ScienceCenter, is full of fun activities.
Nothing like touching a space object: an iron-nickel meteorite.
So much to learn and discover. Here is Sam perusing a “nano” display.
Nanotechnology is pervasive, existing both in nature and within our technological innovations. Nature offers numerous instances of nanoscale phenomena. For instance, the iridescent hues seen in certain butterflies and the adhesive properties of geckos’ feet are both outcomes of nanostructures.
In our everyday products, nanotechnology plays a significant role. You’ll find it in items you use regularly, such as computer chips featuring minuscule nano-sized components and sunscreen containing nanoparticles. Looking ahead, nanotechnology will play an even more prominent role in our lives.
The question is: Where can you spot the influence of nanotechnology in your own life?
Materials exhibit distinct behaviors at the nanoscale. Tiny particles of gold appear red or purple, as opposed to their conventional shiny, golden appearance. When nanoparticles of iron are dispersed in a liquid, they give rise to a remarkable substance known as ferrofluid, which is a liquid that exhibits a magnetic attraction.
The nanoscale realm also harbors other surprising phenomena. Here, different physical forces dominate, leading to unexpected behaviors. For instance, at nanoscale the force of gravity becomes nearly imperceptible, while static electricity exerts a much greater influence.
Scientists are actively exploring ways to harness these unique nanoscale properties in the development of novel materials and cutting-edge technologies.
Nanotechnology enables us to construct structures much like nature does: atom by atom. Everything in the world is composed of “building blocks” known as atoms. In nature, varied combinations of atoms create diverse materials. For instance, diamond, graphite, and carbon nanotubes are all composed entirely of carbon atoms, but their unique properties emerge from the distinct arrangements of these carbon atoms.
In the field of nanotechnology, we are gaining the knowledge and capability to craft small, functional objects from individual atoms. Remarkably, some new nanomaterials have the capacity to self-assemble, opening up new possibilities for nanotechnology.
Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
Lucifer Falls Slide Show
Autumn at Treman Park
Pam and I visited Treman for our last visit of 2017. It was a bright, warm October afternoon. Here is a slide show of our experience, the details shared in recent postings. Enjoy!!
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In November the gorge is closed for the winter due to dangerous conditions under the steep, crumbling walls. Robert H. Treman New York State Park.
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills
Treman Early Autumn Walk XIV
The post discusses the Hepatica acutiloba plant, highlighting its characteristics, growth, historical medicinal use, and its natural habitat in central eastern North America. It also includes an observation made in Robert H. Treman Park.
These characteristic leaves are Hepatica plants growing on the sun dappled southern rim of Robert H. Treman Park captured on a bright late September morning.
“Hepatica acutiloba, the sharp-lobed hepatica, is a herbaceous flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is sometimes considered part of the genus Anemone, as Anemone acutiloba, A. hepatica, or A. nobilis. Also generally known as Liverleaf and Liverwort.”
“The word hepatica derives from the Greek ἡπατικός hēpatikós, from ἧπαρ hêpar ‘liver’, because its three-lobed leaf was thought to resemble the human liver.”
“Each clump-forming plant grows 5 to 19 cm (2.0 to 7.5 in) tall, flowering in the early to mid spring. The flowers are greenish-white, white, purple or pinkish in color, with a rounded shape. After flowering the fruits are produced in small, rounded columned heads, on pedicels 1 to 4 mm long. When the fruits, called achenes, are ripe they are ovoid in shape, 3.5–4.7 mm long and 1.3–1.9 mm wide, slightly winged and tend to lack a beak.”
“Hepatica acutiloba is native to central eastern North America where it can be found growing in deciduous open woods, most often in calcareous soils. Butterflies, moths, bees, flies and beetles are known pollinators. The leaves are basal, leathery, and usually three-lobed, remaining over winter.”
“Hepatica was once used as a medicinal herb. Owing to the doctrine of signatures, the plant was once thought to be an effective treatment for liver disorders. Although poisonous in large doses, the leaves and flowers may be used as an astringent, as a demulcent for slow-healing injuries, and as a diuretic.”
Click Me another post featuring Hepatica flowers
References
–text in italics and quotes is from Wikipedia, “Hepatica” and “Hepatica acutiloba.”
–“The Botanical Garden Vol II Perennials and Annuals,” Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix, Firefly Books, 2002.
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 