Tag: Odds & Ends
Old Growth Hemlock — A Marvelous Sight
“Respect your elders.”
I like to think that I’m a decent practitioner of this advice.
I listen to old songs. I read old stories. I admire old monuments. I befriend older people.
But I’m only human. And I live in a culture that worships youth. As a result, I sometimes find it challenging to see the merits of old age.
Fortunately, I’ve discovered a solution: I walk through a forest.
When I walk through a forest, I am reminded by nature to respect my elders.
Old trees are especially good at providing these reminders — not through words but through their presence. Humans tend to feel a certain way when they’re surrounded by ancient trees. Science can’t fully explain why this happens, but it is a wonderful phenomenon.
During a recent walk through a forest, I encountered a few old eastern hemlocks. Fantasies of eternal childhood vanished the moment I saw them. Sensing an opportunity to showcase what I witnessed, I decided to film the experience.
If you’re interested in seeing a few marvelous trees, check out the brand new video!
Thanks for reading and watching, and thanks for your continued support!
— Adam Haritan
The New Disease That’s Killing An Iconic Tree
American beech has seen better days.
In recent years, a new disease has been threatening its health. Leaves are falling off prematurely. Trees are dying. Researchers are scratching their heads.
Since its initial detection, this mysterious disease has been spreading throughout 12 states and one Canadian province. Some people are already predicting what a world without American beech might look like.
What is this new disease? How bad is it really? Who is the culprit? And will chemical treatments work this time?
In a brand new video, I explore these questions.
Thanks for watching!
—Adam Haritan
These Shrimp Live And Die In The Woods
Over the years, I’ve met all kinds of strange creatures in the forest. Insects, mammals, mushrooms, and the occasional strange human are just a few examples.
But up until recently, I had never encountered shrimp-like creatures.
Truthfully, it never crossed my mind that the forest could accommodate such organisms. Besides pill bugs, which are often referred to as land shrimp, could anything shrimp-like actually live among the pin oaks and red maples? I didn’t think it was possible.
Until I learned about fairy shrimp.
Fairy shrimp are aquatic crustaceans that live and die in the woods. More specifically, fairy shrimp complete their entire life cycle within vernal pools. Eggs hatch in late winter. Larvae transform into breeding adults within a few weeks. By the end of summer, all fairy shrimp perish.
I recently spent a lot of time in the presence of fairy shrimp and decided to capture their short lives on film. To learn more about these amazing creatures, check out the brand new video!
Thanks for reading and watching, and thank you for your continued support!
-Adam Haritan
Building an Earth Oven, Part II: Insulation, Finish Plaster, and Cob Mosaic — The Druids Garden
In last week’s post , we began exploring the build of an earth oven. An Earth Oven is a simple structure, made of clay, sand, straw, stone, and fire brick, that you can use to cook foods in a traditional way. Last week’s post walked you through the first set of steps for building your…
Building an Earth Oven, Part II: Insulation, Finish Plaster, and Cob Mosaic — The Druids Garden
The Gods of Atlantis and Lemuria
Building an Earth Oven Part I: Foundation, Dome, and Structure — The Druids Garden
An earth oven is an oven made of cob (a mixture of clay, sand, and straw) with insulating features (firebricks, bottles). It is an extremely efficient and sustainable method of doing any baking you might need to do. One firing of your earth oven can allow you to bake different things for hours (pizzas, bread,…
Building an Earth Oven Part I: Foundation, Dome, and Structure — The Druids Garden
Paths I Walk 
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