Not to make excuses for my absences,...
Years ago, I used to have the idea that, as I got older, "life would be simpler", as I would "have everything figured out". Not a chance.
Anyway, when I began teaching at a junior college in 2001, I started leading short on-campus "field trips", in lieu of the class routines in my Geology and Environmental Science classes. The particular campus on the Georgia Piedmont was adequate for Physical Geology (metamorphic rocks, erosion, soils, creek dynamics, geomorphology) and even better for Environmental Science.
I found that in order to more effectively retain student attention in the Environmental Science field trips, I needed to teach myself more about the local flora and fauna, as well as the "local" Exotic Species. In other words, I needed to become more well-rounded in my science knowledge. (This would be beneficial a few years later when my son entered Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts.)
As college-level teaching and being an Assistant Scoutmaster are now - apparently - in my past, I still retain a strong drive to continually learn more about aspects of nature beyond "just Geology", i.e., when time permits, I spend as much time photographing wildflowers (and other living things) as I do photographing Geology.
Thus "as the spirit moves me", I plan to post random wildflower, bird, bug, mushroom,...photos, as these living things are important components of their respective ecosystems. As plants form the "base" of every consequential ecosystem and local food web, the soil often influences the local plant community. Common and scientific names will be included to facilitate further internet searches.
Years ago, I used to have the idea that, as I got older, "life would be simpler", as I would "have everything figured out". Not a chance.
Anyway, when I began teaching at a junior college in 2001, I started leading short on-campus "field trips", in lieu of the class routines in my Geology and Environmental Science classes. The particular campus on the Georgia Piedmont was adequate for Physical Geology (metamorphic rocks, erosion, soils, creek dynamics, geomorphology) and even better for Environmental Science.
I found that in order to more effectively retain student attention in the Environmental Science field trips, I needed to teach myself more about the local flora and fauna, as well as the "local" Exotic Species. In other words, I needed to become more well-rounded in my science knowledge. (This would be beneficial a few years later when my son entered Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts.)
As college-level teaching and being an Assistant Scoutmaster are now - apparently - in my past, I still retain a strong drive to continually learn more about aspects of nature beyond "just Geology", i.e., when time permits, I spend as much time photographing wildflowers (and other living things) as I do photographing Geology.
Thus "as the spirit moves me", I plan to post random wildflower, bird, bug, mushroom,...photos, as these living things are important components of their respective ecosystems. As plants form the "base" of every consequential ecosystem and local food web, the soil often influences the local plant community. Common and scientific names will be included to facilitate further internet searches.
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