the affected provincial’s almanack

"GOD DAMMIT BABIES, YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIND"

2009-07-12T15:33:04Z

RIDE THE SNAKE

2009-07-11T14:21:46Z

Returned to the river again yesterday to see how far I could get. This was as far upriver as I was able to go in my kayak. Had to clamber over twelve beaver dams and six downed trees to get to this remote spot. Lovely place: pitcher plants were everywhere, some pitchers reaching almost a foot in length. It was as if the past two centuries never happened. No evidence of human beings anywhere.

So: can you find the snake in this picture?

LITTLE HELP?

2009-07-10T16:11:21Z

Box turtle was stranded. Gave him a little boost onto the bank.

PINE BARRENS RIVER

2009-07-08T13:21:30Z

This week I went on a little solo kayak excursion up a river in the Pine Barrens. This stretch of river isn't cleared for kayaks or canoes, and so is rarely ever traveled by anyone. The river led to some fairly remote areas that would have been impossible to reach by foot or canoe. There were spots that were so tight and full of obstacles that I had to dismantle my kayak paddle into two separate parts and use them as ski poles to squeeze myself through, around and over fallen trees, swales, and hummocks. Saw more beaver lodges than I could count. I had to portage over a couple of the older, larger beaver dams, but it made for a fun toboggan ride on my way back downstream. The river opened up a bit as I made my way upstream, but it quickly grew dense and tight again as I made my way upstream from the large dam. I eventually turned around at a smaller beaver dam, because this Great Adventurer was late for dinner. Hopefully, I can visit this area again and follow the river much further upstream. No rare plants to speak of, but it's quite a beautiful trip.

To see the entire set, please have a look at my flickr photostream.

MACHO WINDSHIELD

2009-07-07T22:36:56Z

With this devil-may-care "Don't try to change me, baby" windshield, I'm beating the she-pineys off with a stick. It's the automotive equivalent of a rugged yet tasteful scar on the cheek.

Don't believe me? Go on--drive into a couple pine trees, and watch the backwoods ladies hop onto their mules and give chase.

PRISENCOLINESUNACIUSOL

2009-07-07T21:38:46Z

My agent just sent me a link to this classic old track by Adriano Celentano. I love the spideriness of the dancers and the mock-English, nonsensical lyrics. It's interesting to hear the raw phonetics, and how English might sound to a non-anglophone.

Enjoy.

PUSHING LILY PADS

2009-07-07T19:06:30Z

Went on a little solo expedition yesterday into an obscure stretch of river. Pretty pictures to come. Stay tuned.

ROUNDLEAFED SUNDEW BLOOM

2009-07-07T15:57:04Z

THREADLEAFED SUNDEW BLOOM

2009-07-07T15:56:00Z

BRITISH SOLDIER LICHEN

2009-07-07T15:15:00Z

PICKERING'S MORNING GLORY

2009-07-07T15:13:57Z

Said to be one of the rarest plants on Earth. It grows only in about three locations in the Pine Barrens. The blooms are about the size of a nickel. Perfect size.

AMERICAN CHAFFSEED

2009-07-07T15:11:18Z

Schwalbea americana. Very rare. Only grows in one location in the Pine Barrens.

VENUS FLYTRAP BLOOMS

2009-07-07T14:54:06Z

CORAL FUNGUS

2009-07-07T13:30:11Z

CHLOROCIBORIA AUGERINASCENS

2009-07-07T13:27:13Z

ORANGE AND CREAM

2009-07-07T13:25:16Z

AMANITAS, I THINK.

2009-07-07T13:24:19Z

WHITE OOZY LITTLE FUNGI

2009-07-07T13:23:08Z

CLAVULINA CRISTATA

2009-07-07T13:16:44Z

CUP FUNGUS

2009-07-07T13:14:35Z

SLUG IN A CUP

2009-07-07T13:13:15Z

TRAMETES GIBBOSA

2009-07-07T13:11:42Z

CUP FUNGUS

2009-07-07T13:10:15Z

MARASMIUS BULLIARDII

2009-07-07T13:08:57Z

CORAL FUNGUS

2009-07-07T13:07:58Z