episode II: the artist and the botanist strike back

You may recall this sort of shenanigans happening before. Last year, Erin and I embarked on a paper making adventure. I can happily report that the artist and the botanist are at it again. You may revisit our efforts here, here and here.

We planned out the expedition a bit better this year. We borrowed a friend's pick-'em-up truck for easier hauling, grabbed a saw and some good clippers and went to a location I'd been eye balling for several months. We also cut off all the leaves before transporting. It made the entire collection process easier not to mention, less itchy.

Venturing into the unknown in search of treasure.

Our booty.

A bundle.

Peeling is beyond satisfying.

The artist (left) and the botanist (right).

Tommy took pictures. Notice the shiny shoes.

The concoction is brewing... well, rotting in a 5 gallon bucket near Erin's compost. She has reported that its good and smelly. Which I approve of. We're trying to figure out how to properly do the paper making. We're currently in search of a large enough tub and debating on how large to make our screens/frames. I'm voting for a kiddie pool and hula hoops. We'll probably end up doing something smaller and more practical, not to mention a better shape for storage. But, come on. How awesome would a kiddie pool filled with Broussonetia papyrifera goodness be? I can answer that for you: Wicked cool.

field work

AWash and I took a brief hiatus from field work in April, but we're back at it now. The sites are much greener since it has warmed up. We're seeing tons of incredible critters! All sorts of caterpillars, moths, butterflies, spiders, dragonflies, and even a fawn. A lot of plants that were pretty dormant during the winter have sprung back to life and are flowering. AWash is doing a much better job at documenting these incredible finds, and I'll see if she'd mind if I posted some of her pictures. Until then, these images from good ol' swamp cam will have to suffice.

Leucothoe racemosa (Fetterbush)

The logging trail. It looks very different than the last time we visited the site. Much more greenery and ferns.

Itea virginica (Virginia Willow)

Woodwardia virginica (Virginia chain fern)

Cypress dome

first day of 'work'

Monday I started my second job. Well... it's more like a weekend adventure time where I get paid. Oh, gee. Life is SOOOO terrible (sarcasm, incase you didn't catch it). Thanks to Dan the Man, I landed this amazing gig with AWash's research for her Master's project. Every weekend or so, I help her measure the depth and density of cypress domes in logged sites. I'm learning more and more about the process and regeneration of the ecosystems every day. I'm also brushing up on some rather rusty botany skills. My job is to help with collect data and identify plants in the area. I'll be going out with AWash as often as she needs, and my 'day job' permits. Stay tuned.

The site we went to Monday had been logged last year (2009). It is our most recently disturbed habitat and proved quite the difficult walk. Also, boots (galoshes) are not the most fun/comfortable things to walk miles in. Definitely noted.

Logged site, the entry point.

Cypress dome aka the Laboratory

Moss of sorts.

Possibly Selaginella apoda (Spike moss). It might be difficult to see, but there is representation of the sporophyte stage in this specimen. Uber cute!

The dominant tree species we were surveying were: Ilex cassine (Dahoon Holly), Gordonia lasianthus (Loblolly Bay), Magnolia virginiana ("Swamp Magnolia" or Sweet Bay), and Persea borbonia (Red Bay)

The logged pines were mostly Pinus elliottii (Slash pine).

morning procrastination

While spending time at a the house friends are house sitting for, I played in the yard.  The yard at this house is amazing and fully of fun plants, many are even edible.  These here are butterfly attractors.  

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

the artist and the botanist, part 2

Erin and I finished our paper making experiment today.  It was fun and VERY smelly.

Draining and rinsing the fibers

And then...

... there was paper.

the waiting is the hardest part

The next step on the paper making adventure is the retting... or rotting of unwanted plant tissues.  When farmers do this, they usually cut the plant and let the cutting sit in the field, or float in a slow moving bog or stream, for a few months.  They then collect the crop and scrape off the unwanted tissues to collect the fibers.  Unfortunately for us, we don't have a field, stream or bog.  Nor am I really willing to wait for months (probably safe to say Erin isn't either).  So our process is a bit different.  I've completely submerge the fibers in a plastic tub with a lid and will let 'em soak until Friday.  Then... more fun.  Unless they're not quite ready, then I guess we'll have wait some more.  I've never done this before, so I'm not 100% sure how long this should take.  Patience is one of those things I'm still working on.  Erin is only slightly better at it.

Only downside is it's a bit smelly.  Luckily I have a lid for this container.  I might change the water and check things out in a few days.  I'll just have to keep an eye on it.  I don't want the fibers to start rotting too!

the artist and the botanist

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, an artist became interested in natural fibers.  She made friends with a botanist, who was also interested in natural fibers.  The two went on adventures and became fast friends.  They were constantly pulling, tugging, twinning, and experimenting with tid-bits.  They ventured here and there collecting and examining.  The artist nurtured the botanist and encouraged her nerdy habits.  The botanist taught the artists about new and exciting materials.  They collected treasure, played and shared.  They learned each other's language.  The universe smiled.

Yesterday, they began the process of making paper from paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera).  

austin cary teaching forest

Our final field trip for Local Flora was to Austin Cary forest.  Austin Cary is owned by the University of Florida's School of Forestry for the purpose of teaching forest management techniques such as prescribed burns (that is what we're calling controlled burns these days), and ecofriendly(er) tree farms.  The habitat is predominantly mesic flatwoods which, depending on the elevation, grades into sandhills (higher elevation) or swamps (lower elevations).

Mesic flatwoods occur on relatively flat, moderately to poorly drained terrain.  The soil is acidic and typically consists of 1-3 feet of sand over a hard clayey subsoil.  The habitat is prone to seasonal flooding during the rainy season and drought during the dry season.  The system is occasionally prone to fire, burning every 5-10 years.  Mesic flatwoods are the most widespread and common biological communities in Florida.  

On the one hand I was sad this was our last trip, on the other VERY happy.  It was about 90 degrees out by 10:00am.  Much too hot for me to care about what this plant looks like in its natural setting.  I'm all about being out in the woods having a good ol time.  I just prefer not to melt in the process.  I was the person muttering "Please rain.  Please rain.  Please rain."  When there was not a cloud in the sky.  A girl can dream can't she?

Hypercium brachyphyllum (Coastal plain St. John's wort)

Diodia virginiana (Button weed)

Austin Cary Forest

Woodwardia virginiana (Virginia chain fern)

Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken fern)

Gaylussacia nana (Glue huckleberry)

campus

This is the final week of field trips for my Local Flora class.  As the semester comes to a close (Summer A is abbreviated into a six week intensive semester), I can't help but feel slightly sad.  This is my last botany course of my undergraduate career... and if I decide to go in a different direction when I figure my life out, possibly ever.  I don't think I'll ever stop being curious or wondering about the natural world... but I honestly fear having a job that does not involve it in some way.  Would I be happy?  Could I be content for long enough to save money and go back to school?  

I had an interview today with the local domestic violence shelter, Peaceful Paths, and I think it went rather well.  But I got home and started thinking about how different I felt in that particular interview than I did in my last with Environment America.  I felt nervous of course, but not nearly as excited about the idea of working there as I did previously.  Not that I find Violence Prevention a lesser cause, but more because environmental protection, conservation, and advocacy is where I think I'll find my niche.  It combines both the activism and move for social change that I love with the world I wish to protect and share with others.  But then again, who knows what I'll be good at or what I'll really find the most joy in doing.  I'll just have to wait and try things out.

I really just want someone to pay me to have a garden, make things, sit on a porch and read.  Too bad these things sound more like hobbies than careers... or even short term job fixes.   I've been so wrapped up in finishing school and getting out, I've forgotten how much I really do enjoy learning.  Perhaps waiting to go to onto my masters is a good thing.  Perhaps I'll remember why I loved learning so much.  And wonder why I was in such a hurry to get out/finish.  Or maybe I'll discover how to learn without wanting some sort of grade or certification for it.  Learn for the shear joy of learning.

Macfadyena unguis-cati (Cat's claw vine)

Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish moss)

Colocasia esculenta (Wild taro)

Pleopeltis polypodioides (Resurrection fern)

Lagerstroemia indica (Crape myrtle)

Zamia pumila (Coontie)

Butia capitata (Pindo palm)

payne's prairie, northern rim

To experience this part of Payne's Prairie was quite a treat.   The area hasn't been cleared or disturbed since at least the Spanish colonial times.  Therefore, it represents one of the oldest and most diverse mixed hammocks (forests) in the region.  Aside from the swarms of mosquitoes and every looming threat of wood ticks, the hike was quite enjoyable.  I really did love it, except when we stopped.  When we stopped walking I could have sworn I was getting eaten alive.  Every inch of  bare skin seemed to be fair game.  They were not deterred by the bug repellent, swatting, or swearing.  When I got home I counted all the bites which had to have been acquired through my clothing.  Needless to say, I was quite itchy.  I'd love to go on this hike again during the fall or winter and with people who like the outdoors as much as I do.  It amazes me when people take classes titled "Local Flora" and don't like going out into the woods.  Can.  not.  compute.  rationale.

Vitus rotundafolia (Muscadine grape)

Prunus umbellata (Flatwoods plum)

Sideroxylon alachuense (Silver buckthron; Alachua bully)

This plant is an extremely rare, endangered, endemic.  The largest population (consisting of less than 30 plants) is found in Alachua County.  This species is only known to occur in the wild in three counties, Marion, Alachua, and Orange

Ruelia caroliniensis (Wild petunia)

Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurel cherry)

Payne's Prairie Northern rim

Sapindus saponaria (soapberry)

The woods.

Oplismenus hirtellus (Wood-grass)