Nature Study 101
February 15, 2020 by New Hampshire Garden Solutions
Over the nearly nine years I’ve been doing this blog the question I’ve been asked more than any other is “How do you find these things?” So this post will be about how I find them; I’ll tell you all the secrets, starting with the jelly baby mushrooms above. Do you see how small they are? They’re growing in an acorn cap. The first time I saw them I was feeling winded and when I sat on a rock to rest I looked down and there was a tiny clump of jelly babies, Just like this one. That day a side of nature that I never knew existed was revealed and from then on I started seeing smaller and smaller things everywhere I went.
You have to learn to see small by seeking out small things and training your eyes, and your brain somewhat, to see them. It also helps to know your subject. For instance I know that slime molds like the many headed slime mold above appear most often in summer when it’s hot and humid, and usually a day or two after a good rain. They don’t like sunshine so they’re almost always found in the shade. I’ve learned all of this from the slime molds themselves; by finding one and, not knowing what it was, looking it up to find out. I’ve learned most of what I know about nature in much the same way. If you want to truly study nature you have to be willing to do the legwork and research what you see.
Another secret of nature study is walking slowly. Find yourself a toddler, maybe a grandchild or a friend with one, or maybe you’re lucky enough to have one yourself. No older than two years though; they start to run after that and they’re hard to keep up with. Anyhow, watch a two year old on a trail and see how slowly they walk. See how they wander from thing to thing. They do that because everything is new and they need to see and experience it. You need to be the same way to study nature; become a toddler. Slowly cross and crisscross your line of progress. See, rather than look. Why is that group of leaves humped up higher than all the others? Is there something under them making them do that? Move them and see. You might find some beautiful orange mycena mushrooms like these under them.
So you need to train yourself to see small, to toddle and think like a toddler, and then you need to know your subject. All that comes together in something like this female American hazelnut blossom. I first saw them when I had toddled over to a bush to see the hanging male catkins, which are very beautiful, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of red.
But all I could see was a flash of color because female hazelnut blossoms are almost microscopic. That’s a paperclip behind these blossoms. Even with eye problems I can find them though, because I know they’re tiny. I know they bloom in mid-April and I know they’re red and I know what shape the buds they grow out of are. All I need do is find one and the camera does the rest, allowing me to see its Lilliputian beauty.
That’s how I start the growing season each spring; by re-training my eyes to see small again. Most of what I see in winter is big so I need to get used to small again. Spring beauties like those above are as small as an aspirin, so they’re a good subject to start with. They’re also very beautiful and a forest floor carpeted with them is something you don’t soon forget.
Sometimes I’ll see something like this larch flower in a book or on another blog and I’ll want to see it in person. That’s what happened when I first found one, and I was surprised by how small they were. This is another example of my being able to only see a flash of color and then having to see with a camera. They’re just too small for me to see with my eyes but they’re beautiful and worth the extra effort it takes to get a photo of them.
I spend a lot of time looking at tree branches, especially in spring when the buds break. I’ve learned what time of month each tree usually blossoms and I make sure I’m there to see it happen. This photo shows male red maple flowers. Each flower cluster is full of pollen and the wind will be sure the pollen finds the female blossoms. When you see tulips and magnolias blooming it’s time to look at red maples. One of the extraordinary things about these blossoms was their scent. I smelled them long before I saw them.
Lichens aren’t easy to identify but there are easy to find because they grow virtually everywhere; on soil, on trees, on stone, even on buildings. But most are quite small, so walking slowly and looking closely are what it takes to find them. This mealy firedot lichen was growing on wet stone and that’s why the background looks like it does. You could spend a lifetime studying just lichens alone but it would be worth it; many are very beautiful.
Countless insects make galls for their young to grow in and the size and shape of them is beyond my ability to show or explain, so I’ll just say that I always make a point of looking for them because they’re endlessly fascinating, and you can match the gall to the insect with a little research. This one looked like a tiny fist coming up out of a leaf. Something else I like about them is that you don’t have to kneel down to see them. That isn’t getting any easier as time goes on.
When young the female spore capsule (sporangium) of juniper haircap moss is covered by a cap called a calyptra, which protects the spore capsule and the spores within. It is very hairy, and this is what gives this moss part of its common name. Eventually, as the capsule ages it moves from a semi vertical to a more horizontal position before the calyptra falls off. The spore capsule continues to ripen and when the time is right it will open and release the spores. When it’s time to release the spores the end cap (operculum) of the now reddish brown, 4 cornered but not square spore capsule will fall off and the spores will be borne on the wind. I learned all of that by studying the moss and reading about what I saw going on, and you can too. And you can do it with virtually anything you find in nature. To me, that is exciting.
A good memory isn’t strictly necessary for nature study but it can come in handy if you wish to see a plant in all stages of its life cycle. I knew where some rare dwarf ginseng plants grew in this area and I knew when they blossomed but I had never seen their seedpods, so I had to remember to go back to see what you see here. It might not look like much but it’s a rare sight and I doubt more than just a few have seen it. I often can’t remember my own phone number or where I parked my car but I can lead you right to the exact spot where this plant grows, so I seem to have two memories; one for every day and one for just nature. The one for nature works much better than the every day one.
Develop an eye for beauty. Give yourself time to simply stand and look, and before long you’ll find that you don’t just see beauty, you feel it as well, all through your being. This is just tree pollen on water; something I’ve seen a thousand times, but not like this. On this day it was different; it usually looks like dust on the surface but this pollen had formed strings that rode on the current. I wasn’t looking for it; I just happened upon it, and that shows that a lot of what you see on this blog is just dumb luck. But I wouldn’t happen upon it if I wasn’t out there. That’s another secret; you have to be out there to see it. You’ll never see it by staring at a phone or television.
This is another rarity that I just happened upon; a mushroom releasing its spores. Mushroom spores are carried by the wind so it is unusual to see them dropping to the forest floor like they have in this photo. I’ve only seen this happen three times and twice it was on a still, hot, humid day. Once it was on a cooler but still humid day, without a hint of a breeze to blow the spores away. This is why it’s so important to walk slowly and look carefully. You could easily pass this without seeing it.
Something else that is rare to see is a mushroom with another fungus feeding on it, like this bolete with a mycoparasite called Syzygites megalocarpus growing on its cap. A mycoparasite is essentially a fungus that feeds on other fungi. This one has been found on over 65 species of mushroom. It can appear overnight if heat and humidity levels are just right, and that’s exactly what this one did. You can’t plan to see something like this, you simply have to be there when it happens.
Do you know how many puddles there are with ice on them in winter? I don’t either, but I do take the time to look at them and I almost always see something interesting when I do. I’ve never seen another one like this.
Sometimes if you just sit quietly unusual things will happen. I was on my hands and knees looking at something one day and I looked up and there was a fly, sitting on a leaf. I slowly brought my camera up and this is the result. By the way, much of what I see comes about because I spend a lot of time on my hands and knees. If you want to see the very small, you have to. And before I get back on my feet I always try to look around to see if there’s anything interesting that I’ve missed.
I was crawling around the forest floor looking for I don’t remember what one day and saw something jump right in front of me. It was a little spring peeper. It sat for a minute and let me take a few photos and then hopped off. Another secret of nature study is to expect the unexpected. If you want to document what you see always have your camera ready. I have one around my neck, one on my belt and another in my pocket, and I still miss a lot.
I was in a meadow in Walpole climbing the High Blue trail when I saw a blackish something moving through the grass on the other side. Apparently it saw me because it turned and came straight for me. When it got close I could see that it was a cute porcupine. I thought it must have poor eyesight and would run away when it got close enough but then it did something I never would have expected; it came up to me and sat right at my feet. I took quite a few photos and then walked on after telling it goodbye. I still wonder what it was all about and what the animal might have wanted. I’ve never forgotten how we seemed to know one another. It’s another example of why you have to expect the unexpected in nature study. You just never know.
Sometimes all you need to do is look up. When was the last time you saw mare’s tails in the sky? There’s a lot of beauty out there for you to see, and you don’t really have to study anything.
So, what you’ve read here isn’t the only way to study nature. It’s simply my way; what I’ve learned by doing. I had no one to guide me, so this is what and how I’ve learned on my own. I thought that it might help you in your own study of nature, or you might find your own way. It doesn’t matter as long as you’re out there having fun and enjoying this beautiful world we live in. I’ll leave you with a simple summary that I hope will help:
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To see small think small. There is an entire tiny world right there in plain sight but there’s a good chance you haven’t seen it. Nothing is hidden from the person who truly sees.
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Don’t just look, see; and not just with your eyes. Use all your senses. I’ve smelled certain plants and fungi before I’ve seen them many times. I also feel almost everything I find.
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Walk at a toddlers pace. Cross and crisscross your path.
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Know your subject. You probably won’t find what you hope to unless you know when and where it grows, or its habits. When you see something you’ve never seen if you want to know more about it research it.
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Be interested in everything. If you’re convinced that you’ve seen it all then you’ll see nothing new. Run your eye down a branch. Roll over a log. Study the ice on a puddle.
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Expect the unexpected. I’ve heard trees fall in the forest but I’ve never seen it happen. Tomorrow may be the day.
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Develop an eye for beauty; it’s truly everywhere you look. Allow yourself to see and feel it. Appreciate it and be grateful for it and before long you too will see it everywhere you go.
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Let nature lead. Nature will teach you far more than you’ve ever imagined. It will also heal you if you let it, but none of this can happen if you spend all your time indoors.
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None of the things you’ve read here are really secrets. Nature is there for everyone and you can study it and take pleasure in it just as easily as I can.
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Have fun and enjoy nature and you’ll be surprised how quickly your cares melt away. Problems that once might have seemed insurmountable will suddenly seem much easier to solve.
To look at any thing,
If you would know that thing,
You must look at it long.
~John Moffitt
Thanks for stopping in.
Posted in How To, Lichens, Mosses & Liverworts, Nature, Slime Molds, Things I've Seen | Tagged American Hazelnut Flowers, Ashuelot River, Canon EOS Rebel T6, Dwarf Ginseng, Eastern Larch Flower, Fly, Galls, Jelly Baby Mushroom, Juniper Haircap Moss Spore Capsules, Keene, Lichens, Many Headed Slime Mold, Mare's Tails, Mealy Firedot Lichen, Mushroom Dropping Spores, Mushrooms, Native Plants, Nature, Nature Study, New Hampshire, NH, Olympus Stylus TG-870, Orange Mycena Mushrooms, Pollen on Water, Porcupine, Puddle Ice, Red Maple Tree Flowers, Slime Molds, Spring Beauties, Spring Peeper, Swanzey New Hampshire, Syzygites megalocarpus, Winter Hiking, Winter Plants, Winter Woods | 56 Comments
Brilliant post! So many times when I pause to look at one thing, another special something is right there near it. I also try and avoid the ‘peopled’ paths so that I can meander at will and stop to listen. I walk a lot in the same places so you come to know what is there and notice changes. It is wonderful. Thanks again.
You’re welcome Cathy. It sounds like you didn’t really need this post but I’m glad you enjoyed it!
’The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes.’ Proust.
Thanks Allen – you are my new eyes!
You’re welcome Robin. You can use mine until yours develop. It won’t take long!
Such a wonderful post – thank you so much for sharing your insights as you do! Both nature and the time to take it in and enjoy it are gifts. I really enjoy learning from your photographs and words.
Thank you Cheri, I’m glad to hear that!
I most certainly agree that nature is a gift. One of the greatest of all!
A beautiful, motivating, and insightful post Allen! I especially loved the porcupine encounter. I’m about to head to the dam to indulge in some nature study myself.
Thank you Jennifer. I still wonder about that porcupine quite often!
I hope you found plenty to see at the dam. Actually, I’m sure you did; you were outside!
What a magical post this is, Allen! Thank you so much!
You’re welcome Clare. I hope it helps people get started!
Fine post. Heard spring peepers last week. One thing I have wanted to see but have not sitting right next to the sound. Still to far away I spose’ will have to try the hands and knees approach, Thank You as always for sharing your knowledge, your delight at the wonder of wonders outdoors…
Thanks Jim. This spring peeper was quiet and didn’t make a peep. I see at least one or two in the woods each year but they always stay quiet. I’m always surprised by how far they can jump!
Some amazing macros here – it’s always a pleasure to see your posts!
Thank you Eliza, I’m glad you think so!
Al;l very sound advice. I have learned to look at life a lot more clearly and slowly since I started to read your posts so I am very grateful for your generosity in sharing your delights with your readers. I still still see only about a quarter of what you would see if you were with me but I can’t crawl about as my knees won’t take it so you have an advantage over me.
I’m always happy to help people find what I have found in nature, but as I was writing this post I thought that you would need it least of all. Creaky knees or no you find amazing and beautiful bits of nature all year long, and I can’t match the landscapes you see there.
If I did kneel down, I might never get up again.
I know what you mean. I have trouble sometimes too.
How encouraging. Being slowed down by age is not necessarily a limiting factor, but an invitation to expand your view. Hadn’t thought of it that way. Thanks.
You’re welcome. No, you don’t want to move too fast when studying nature.
GREAT POST and you are so right. We have to be like a youngster sometimes when we go exploring in nature. It reminds me of the 8 month old cat in the house AGAIN. She doesn’t miss a thing… Thanks for sharing the great photos!
You’re welcome. It’s always fun to have a youngster in the house.
Oh, my, I LOVE this post! It’s a treasure about how to find even more treasures.
Thank you Pat. I hope you’ll find all you can!
I learn so much from your posts. Thank you❤️
You’re welcome Adrian, I hope it’ll come in handy!
Extraordinary and lovely post. Thank you!
You’re welcome Cathy, I’m glad you liked it!
Beautiful writing, and sound advice, Allen. I have enjoyed your posts!
Thank you Lavinia, I’m happy to hear that!
You’ve outdone yourself. Wonderful post!
Thanks very much Lee, I’m glad you think so!
exquisite writing. so astute to notice, absorb the meaning. candor, transcendent implications from what you see. not to mention the lovely pictures.
Thank you Lucy, I’m glad you enjoyed it. The forest is my favorite place to be, and I guess it shows.
What an astonishing set of photos. Have you ever thought of putting an exhibition together at a local art centre or other similar venue? I am sure folk would enjoy it and your wonderful photography would enable them to appreciate both your knowledge and ability as well as your eye for beauty. Sharing is good and benefits everyone involved.
Thank you Ben. I have done them in the past but not lately. It’s a huge amount of work but you’re right; it would be another way to get people interested in nature.
Yes, I imagined it would take a lot of work and I am sure you would want it to be immaculate too. 🙂
I’d want it to be made up of the best photos I had at the time yes, because my purpose is always to show people the beauty of nature. To catch the rabbit you’ve got to have the right bait.
🙂
What a fine lesson for those who can’t see the forest for the trees, Allen. I’ve always seen the little details, it’s the big picture I struggle with 😊. And memory? Yes, undoubtedly, there is one for the mundane and another for your passion in life. It’s a useful garden skill, too. If you learn what a weed seedling looks like at 1/4″ , you can yank it out easily, yeah? Bitterness in early spring, ugh! Don’t let that little beauty go to seed, lol.
I’ll never forget the day I witnessed a preying mantis egg case hatching! Awesome stuff, all these little details.
Make that “bittercress” ( darned auto correct!)
But you don’t want bitterness in spring either! That might happen after a long winter.
Thank you Ginny. Yes, I think that’s why I found plenty of work as a gardener; I knew what weed seedlings looked like. That’s a job you have to learn by doing!
I’d have loved to see the preying mantis eggs hatching. That’s one insect I never see.
The little mantids, 1/3″ or so long, dozens and dozens, pour out of the case almost like honey. And apparently eat each other til another food source comes along.
Interesting! I hope another food source comes along quickly.
Wonderful post. Thank you
On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 4:09 AM New Hampshire Garden Solutions wrote:
> New Hampshire Garden Solutions posted: ” Over the nearly nine years I’ve > been doing this blog the question I’ve been asked more than any other is > “How do you find these things?” So this post will be about how I find them; > I’ll tell you all the secrets, starting with the jelly baby mushrooms ab” >
Thank you Patricia, I’m glad you liked it.
And here I thought “What could Allen Norcross possibly have to say during this New Hampshire winter, except to mark time by discussing different shades of gray?”
I know what you mean when you point out how observant and creative you get when you wander about and piddle like a child. Every time I slow down I find that at the end of the day I have gotten more done. You know the old saw “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!”
You’ve done a great job these few leafless months. Nature is looking forward, with relief, to distracting your your prying eyes with flowers this spring.
Me, I’ve been excited since last night about starting my hike this morning to determine, after about a mile, whether this pretty little cluster of four-petal pale purple flowers with big serrated leaves that I haven’t looked at in a couple of weeks is Dames’s Rocket or Honesty. By now it should have seeds and the shape of its pods will give me the answer, and then I can enter it on the HVAA data base for Valdivia, Chile and be sure I’m right.
🐶
On Sat, Feb 15, 2020, 6:09 AM New Hampshire Garden Solutions New Hampshire Garden Solutions posted: ” Over the nearly nine years I’ve > been doing this blog the question I’ve been asked more than any other is > “How do you find these things?” So this post will be about how I find them; > I’ll tell you all the secrets, starting with the jelly baby mushrooms ab” >
Thank you Ron, I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a while and the time was right. I once asked two college age girls if they had seen any wildflowers on a trail one day and they said “Nope, not a one.” Further down the trail the woods were full of flowers, so I wondered how this could be. That was my first inkling that speed must have something to do with it.
I never see honesty here so I can’t help with the details on that one but I certainly envy you being able to see it. Spring fever is setting in here and i can’t wait to see something in bloom.
Watch for the catkins of your different species of willow.
Here is the distribution map for the Honesty flower in New England: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/lunaria/annua/
I am back from my hike. It was neither Honesty nor Dame’s Rocket, but still a genus, perhaps Eruca, in the Brassicaceae family. Back to the drawing board.
The willows will be coming along before too long and the map shows why I never see honesty.
The Brassicaceae family is a tough one and I’ve been fooled by them many times. I wish you luck!
Thanks.
Thank you so much!! I will print this one for future reference. The world would be a better place if more people knew and appreciated nature as you do. The world might be more inclined to protect our natural world if they really noticed it and appreciated it. Many thanks to you.
Thank you Ann, you’ve hit the nail right on the head. That’s really what this blog is about; if we learn to love nature we’re less apt to destroy it.
Excellent advice, thanks for providing this distillation of your hard won wisdom.
Thank you Susan. I hope it will be of help to those just getting started enjoying nature.