Author Archives: makielb

Day-5: St. Augustine, Florida

I love getting into the south before the oaks have leafed out. There is so much mistletoe here. Everything that you see in this photo is “oak mistletoe.” It’s easy to see why the Druids considered mistletoe to be mystical in nature. When the entire tree is leafless the mistletoe is still green and leafy.Continue reading “Day-5: St. Augustine, Florida”

Day-4, Congaree birds, plants and a reminder

We spent a second day at Congaree National Park, walking the boardwalk and the trail to Lake Wise. I always think it’s a good day when I find Yellow Jessamine. It is so bright and vibrant when little else is flowering. Winter Wrens were singing and allowing great views today. Pileated Woodpeckers was also common,Continue reading “Day-4, Congaree birds, plants and a reminder”

Day-3, Congaree National Park

We left Mark and Adrienne’s in the morning and made our way to Columbia, South Carolina where we will be staying for two days while we visit Congaree National Park. Finding nesting Northern Mockingbirds is always fun, as they can be quite tame. The boardwalk loop at Congaree is quite spectacular. I highly recommend itContinue reading “Day-3, Congaree National Park”

Day-2, Kentucky to North Carolina

We left the North Star Inn before the cafe opened because we had a lot of miles to cover and a stop to make along the way. Traveling through the mountain is always interesting. The first rest area in Tennessee is a favorite of ours because of the nature trail and interesting plants and sometimesContinue reading “Day-2, Kentucky to North Carolina”

Day-1, Kentucky

Drove down to Corinth, Kentucky today. We’re staying at the North Star Inn, just north of the exit for El Jalisco, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. This was the seat back where Susan sat across from me. “Harvesting agave for making mezcal.” Dinner for me was carnitas. The slow-cooked pork cam with lettuce, pico-de-gallo,Continue reading “Day-1, Kentucky”

Heading off to the south

We’re heading off into the scary south. I wonder where we’ll see the first strange tennis shoes? The southern states are a sad place. Fortunately, we have many good liberal friends that we will be visiting. I’ll have to remember this when we’re in Alabama. We will be staying on Dauphin Island for six daysContinue reading “Heading off to the south”

Genetics, evolution and animals

Moon set yesterday. It’s often early in the morning when I sit and read or write about whatever I’m thinking about. Yesterday morning it was about an article that I had read. It turns out that the “green anaconda” is actually two species. Visually, even with measurements they cannot be differentiated. Just try to imageContinue reading “Genetics, evolution and animals”

Magic mushrooms – really

Sometimes I read something and it triggers a memory. For instance when in August, 2023 I visited a town in Oaxaca, Mexico that wasn’t know for mezcal, but rather magic mushrooms. San Jose del Pacifica, Oaxaca. We stayed in a rustic lodge here, but ate in an Italian restaurant the night we were there. TheContinue reading “Magic mushrooms – really”