Category Archives: nature

If Snow be Black

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Roger Gosden

After last week’s monster storm that left Eastern USA snow white, the snowbanks slowly melted into pools and streams. But what if snow were black? The Bard liked nature the way he saw it, but he loved to mock our … Continue reading →

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Mastodon in Our Town

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Roger Gosden

Not Mastodon the heavy metal band from Atlanta, but a heavy, leathery mastodon from Virginia. It is the first found east of the Blue Ridge. A local bricklayer was hunting on private land one day in 1983 when he found … Continue reading →

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Caffeine gives Bees a Buzz

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Roger Gosden

Writers, as well as lots of other folk, believe they need to be caffeinated to discover their creative side and help burn the midnight oil. The downside of drinking coffee and other caffeine-rich drinks is physical dependence, with withdrawal symptoms … Continue reading →

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Mountaintop Removal

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Roger Gosden

“Remember to remove the I Love Mountains bumper sticker before heading into coal country.” That was advice I gave myself before touring counties where mountaintops are being “removed” by open mining in the heart of Appalachia. I wasn’t a declared … Continue reading →

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Virginia Nature Journal for August

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Roger Gosden

Cottage gardens were at one time part of the domestic economy, but now they’re mostly recreational. Like horse-riding, boating, fishing, target-shooting, and racing of various kinds, gardening has evolved from an occupation to a passion. Besides the advantages of growing-your-own … Continue reading →

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