Category Archives: nature

The State of Drought

Posted on November 18, 2023 by Roger Gosden

“Drought—what drought?” That was a typical response to my question before this week’s news of wildfires in Virginia and the Governor declared a state of emergency. I’m sure farmers, beekeepers, gardeners, foresters, and firefighters have worried for weeks, if not … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, nature | Tagged Drought Monitor, Virginia, Wildfires | Comments Off

Poppy Day

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Roger Gosden

This week you can tell a Brit from the red poppy worn on his or her lapel. Today, I was a lone poppyist in the congregation for a Veterans Day service in the graveyard of Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown. There … Continue reading →

Posted in History, nature | Tagged Flanders Fields, John McCrae, Poppy, Remembrance Day | 1 Comment

Common Combustion

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Roger Gosden

Poem read by the author: https://youtu.be/OFiM0xGgF5o We’re alive within the flames’ bright glow,Dancing, enhancing, flashing in our strife.We’re children of the wood, our names unknown,And like you, we all journey to the afterlife. Some stand short and hot, while others … Continue reading →

Posted in nature, poetry | Tagged poetry | Comments Off

Welcome some non-natives

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Roger Gosden

I make a distinction between two groups of non-native species that settle down and reproduce outside their homeland. The bad guys include Asian hornets, Burmese pythons, Japanese knotweed, chestnut blight, spotted lanternfly, cane toads, kudzu, and giant hogweed … The … Continue reading →

Posted in nature | Tagged invasive species, Non-native plants, pollinators | Comments Off

Abandoned in Appalachia

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Roger Gosden

If you go on a road trip through the Appalachian mountains you will see lots of old abandoned houses. I often wonder who lived there and why they left. Please click to view a video of selected photos taken over … Continue reading →