Welcome back to Field Notes!
December 1, 2025
To celebrate the glorious fall days we've been experiencing, I pulled out a puzzle that I borrowed from my Aunt Char (she and I both enjoy the pleasure of an interesting and beautiful puzzle). This one captures the colors of fall and coziness of home!
 |
Country Life: Autumn Farmhouse (Buffalo Games & Puzzles)
Artist: Dominic Davidson |
December 4, 2025
According to AI Overview, the full moon in December 2025 is known as the Cold Moon or the Long Night Moon. It is the last supermoon of the year, meaning that it appears brighter and larger than usual. Here, the moon is viewed from the front porch over the new landscape.
 |
| A big, beautiful supermoon over the garden |
December 6, 2025
Mari and I recently joined the last Over-the-Hills Gang hike of the year, topped off with a delicious potluck lunch at the Tilden Nature Center. We hiked the Jewel Lake trail, in the crisp morning air, and enjoyed the colors and scents of fall. Surprisingly, it was my first visit to the Nature Center in all the years I've been in the Bay Area, although I have attended family picnics in other areas of the park, and visited the Tilden Botanical Garden. Anthony Fisher lead our hike.
 |
| Assembling at the Tilden Nature Center |
 |
| Jewel Lake trail highlighted in yellow (photo by Mari) |
We encountered a fire crew that was gathering the shredded bark from the eucalyptus trees, in preparation for a future controlled burn. The bark is highly flammable, so removing it from the landscape helps the area be fire safe. We saw quite a few large piles of bark and other material to be burned.
 |
| Talking with the fire crew at Tilden Park |
 |
| Bridge over Jewel Lake reservoir |
 |
| The path through the woods |
We worked up a good appetite for our potluck back at the Nature Center. What a spread! We enjoyed many tasty dishes and desserts, and the chance to relax with our fellow hikers. The OTHG is a wonderful group of 55+ hikers of all levels. This was our last hike of the year, but you can learn about upcoming hikes in 2026 by visiting the website.
 |
| Setting up the potluck in the Nature Center |
 |
| Intrepid hikers at the Jewel Lake bridge (photo by Mari) |
December 8, 2025
While on our hike at Tilden Park, Anthony Fisher (our Over-the-Hills Gang group leader) spotted some Russula maculata mushroom specimens. The rosy pink color is quite appealing, but according to AI Overview, while Russula maculata might produce some color, one shouldn't expect vibrant, strong hues. It's more of an experimental or niche dye choice within the broader world of mushroom dyeing.
 |
| Shrimp Russula (Russula maculata) in Tilden Park |
 |
| Maggots hatch in the stem and eat their way out |
December 12, 2025
Sad news - my dear Dad has passed away at the age of 97 years at the Pioneer Home in Juneau, Alaska. His health had been failing for some time, so it wasn't a surprise, but it still leaves an empty hole. Dad lived a remarkable life and inspired all of us with his curiosity, intelligence, interests, and capabilities. He met Mom at U. C. Berkeley in the 1950s, they married, and moved to Juneau, where they built a house, raised a family, and enjoyed a full life. Dad was a research forester with the U. S. Forest Service, wrote extensively, and imparted a love of nature and science to all of us. He and Mom enjoyed their retirement years travelling, visiting their kids and grandkids, and finding the best bakery wherever they went. I enjoyed travelling with Mom and Dad in the Southern California desert to view the spring wildflowers. Dad will be missed.
 |
| Dad enjoying coffee with Mom on a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico |
December 17, 2025
I'm on my way to Alaska, to celebrate my Dad's life with Mom, my brother Dave, my sister Marianne, and Aunt Char. My husband and adult son are staying in the Bay Area with Bobo the Husky, so we'll celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays when I return. I'm expecting cold and snowy weather in Juneau!
 |
| On my way to Juneau, Alaska |
No comments:
Post a Comment