Nature Notes: A desert landscape

Under the Microscope: The Spring Equinox

This time of year, as the last snow melts from yards and mountainsides, I always find myself getting excited for the spring equinox, which happens to be this Thursday, the 20th.  Although picnics and gardening may be weeks or even months off yet, the spring, or vernal, equinox marks the point in the year that daylight hours will start to become longer than nighttime hours.  No matter how many snowstorms happen between now and June, I take comfort in knowing the days are finally becoming longer than the cold winter nights had been.

Technically, the equinoxes occur when Earth’s orbit and axis tilt cause the Sun to pass directly over the equator, shining its light equally on the northern and southern hemispheres.  This has the effect of giving most places on Earth roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night, which is where the term “equinox” comes from:  in Latin, “equi” means equal and “nox” means night, making it literally “equal night.”

The Equinoxes only happen twice per year, around March 20^th and September 22^nd, and mark the generally accepted beginnings of spring and autumn, respectively.  It’s easy to forget though that just as our northern hemisphere is slowly blooming into spring, the southern hemisphere will be celebrating the autumn harvest.  Another interesting fact:  the sun rises precisely from the east and sets precisely in the west on equinoxes.  

As the days lengthen the average temperature rises and nature is quick to take note.  Trees begin budding and grass shoots and wildflowers begin poking through the last of the slush.  Before too long insects are hatching, the birds are returning and larger wildlife are migrating out of their wintering grounds.  The number of daylight hours keeps on increasing until the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which is on June 21^st this year.  The days then gradually get shorter through the autumnal equinox, up to the winter solstice on December 21, 2014. 

In Missoula, there is still a chill in the air and ice on the Clark Fork River’s banks.  But thanks to the passing of the equinox, summer’s warmth really can’t be too far off.

Friday Field Notes: Greenough Park at Dusk

December 9, 2013

During a winter walk in the snow with Greg and my dog Oatis we decided to stop at our favorite swimming spot on the Rattlesnake Creek. 

Friday Field Notes: Oh, I Have Been Inspired!

I love nature journaling, but, frankly, it has been a number of months since I have opened my journal. A few weeks ago I noticed that MNHC was offering a weekend drawing workshop with the talented Nancy Seiler. I thought to myself, what better way to get back into nature journaling than to take a class where I must make keen observations of natural objects and draw them for 8 hours a day? Although drawing for two days straight was difficult, as I was certainly out of practice, it was well worth it. I am thankful to Nancy and all those who participated in the class for inspiring me to not only practice my nature journaling skills, but to embrace the challenge. I have set a goal for myself to keep a weekly nature journal. My hope is that by carving out time in my busy schedule to work on my journal that I will not only improve my drawing and writing skills, but that I may also find stillness in my life as I connect with nature. 

Entry 1: November 20th, 2013