Barefoot in South Africa – The Rhino War and Drought
The Princess of Swoope and I walked barefoot in South Africa. Cape Town, Nelspruit, Kruger National Park, Ballito and the Drakensberg escarpment were on our itinerary that encompassed three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That means we took in some of the most spectacular and unique places on Earth. First, Cape...
Brook Trout – Environmental Refugees From the Middle River
Swoope Almanac May 2015 – Bobolinks, Bobwhites and Black Locust Blooms
May might be my favorite month. The energy of spring swells in every living thing. I remain in awe of all the energy. A Catbird sings all night outside our open window. Robins begin their singing at 5:15am. That’s the warm-up for the avian symphony that will last all day....
Swoope Almanac January 2015: Ode to Dexter, a Snow Goose and Virginia Wild Rye
Winter in Swoope. I walk along the banks of Middle River on our farm in search of treasure. Dexter, our Border Collie usually walks along with me but he passed on and I sure miss him. Cold air seeps through the opening in my collar; the brown, frozen grass crunches...
Swoope Almanac Fireflies, Soldier Beetles and Farmscape
Swoope, Va: Several years ago we took two ladies in that needed a place to stay. They were from Wyoming. One had just quit her job; I think she was running away from something. We agreed to put them up for a couple of weeks until they could find a...
Bluebird Box Clean-out
Out of Africa, Part 1 – Cultures and Poaching
Jeanne and I just returned from a trip to Southern Africa. We traveled to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. After trips like this, I try to reflect on what I learned. Two things immediately come forward: the cultural explosions of the indigenous tribes as the cloak of Apartheid dissolves and...
American Sycamore – Fortress of the Stream Bank
One of eastern North America’s greatest native trees is the American Sycamore, Platanus occidentals. Perhaps the most endearing feature of this legendary tree is its bark, especially in winter when the white bark, mottled with green and brown is fully exposed.
Despicable Deer Hunters Go Away
Let me apologize right up front to all my ethical hunter friends. Thank you for hunting. It is a true American tradition and it’s needed to manage wildlife populations. Hunters also feed the hungry. But today I gnash my teeth and rub myself with ashes because of the scum...
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