Category Archives: Shakerag Hollow
Bear Corn
Scaly, brown digits poke from the underworld, pointing skyward. They look slightly disturbing, like bloated pine cones or partly rotted corn cobs. These protrusions are the flowering parts of Conopholis americana, a plant that grows attached to the roots of … Continue reading
Posted in Plants, Shakerag Hollow
23 Comments
The Forest Unseen paperback edition; copies for course adoption available
The Penguin paperback edition of The Forest Unseen went on sale this week. Having read and enjoyed hundreds of books adorned with the smart little penguin, I’m very happy to see my book published under this imprint. All the other … Continue reading
Posted in Literature, Shakerag Hollow, The Forest Unseen, Travels
11 Comments
Dead wood, ashes.
One of Shakerag Hollow’s giant trees has fallen. An ash that until last week held its arms in the highest reaches of the canopy now sprawls across the forest floor, its body utterly torn. I’ll go back soon and “measure” … Continue reading
Posted in Beetles, Plants, Shakerag Hollow, Trees
Tagged ash, borer, dead wood, old growth, sewanee, shakerag hollow
17 Comments
Shakerag Hollow snow
Winter seemed to be slipping quietly out of the door, but evidently it still has business here. The forest floor is transformed. Where-ever dark objects protrude, they soak the sun’s weak heat. Gradually the surrounding snow sublimates, leaving sleeves of … Continue reading
Posted in Plants, Shakerag Hollow
Tagged empty space, forest floor, outdoors, shakerag hollow, snow, spring ephemerals, spring wildflowers, twigs
5 Comments
Fog happens, and the woods rise into it.
The overlook at Green’s View offered an interesting prospect this morning. The hundred mile view was shortened by the enveloping cloud to less than one hundred feet. The fog penetrated the forest, hazing and graying views through the trees. The … Continue reading
Posted in Fungi, Shakerag Hollow, smells, Trees
Tagged ascomycetes, shakerag hollow, spring ephemerals
13 Comments
Beech
The woods are mostly bare and gray, but American beech still shines. The trees, especially the young trees, retain their coppery leaves until spring. Beech is the bright ornament of the dark woods, gold leaf flecking the gloom. The leaves … Continue reading
Fifty Shades of Grey: Woodland Edition
Sitting in the woods with my class last week, I was struck by how grays had come to dominate. The light environment is transformed. Of course, a “fifty shades” wisecrack had to work its way into my impromptu lesson on … Continue reading
Posted in Fungi, Lichens, Mammals, Rocks, Shakerag Hollow, Travels, Trees, Water
30 Comments
The Forest Unseen bookplates, Cudzoo Farm soaps, and some book news
If you’re thinking of The Forest Unseen as a holiday gift idea, I have signed bookplates available. Email me (dhaskell@sewanee.edu) with your address and I’ll drop one in the mail to you. I can also inscribe the bookplate to the … Continue reading
Posted in Shakerag Hollow
19 Comments
Stream bows
I came across some unexpected sights on my morning walk in Shakerag Hollow. Water was snaking its way through the tangle of rocks and leaf piles that form the boundaries of the little streams on the mountain slope. As the … Continue reading
Posted in Shakerag Hollow, Water
23 Comments
Herp fest continues
Herpetological wonders continue to unfold. The Cumberland Plateau and the Southern Appalachians are among the most diverse places in North America (and the world) for amphibians and, to a lesser extent, reptiles. The last few weeks have not disappointed in … Continue reading
Posted in Frogs, Salamander, Serpentes, Shakerag Hollow
3 Comments
