August 2010
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Geological Ruminations II
A trip to Iceland concentrates the mind on the subject of volcanism. Split between the separating-at-two-centimeters-a-year North American and Eurasian plates, Iceland is astride a tremendously deep plume of magma known as a hot spot. It has some major volcanoes, including Grimsvotn, Katla, Hekla, Krafla, and Laki. In 1963, a whole new island, Surtsey, named…
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Community Gardens Need Your Help
The operating authority for community gardens not held in trust is ending in September. New rules have been proposed by both Parks & Recreation and Housing Preservation & Development, the two city departments that control the land under the gardens. Many gardeners and community members feel the proposed new rules just aren’t strong enough. The…
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Cicadas. Part II.
The cicada killer wasp, Sphecius speciosus, which can get up to two inches in length. Yikes! It’s one of the largest wasps in North America, but if you aren’t a cicada you shouldn’t worry much. As you can see, it’s a gentle vegetarian: this one was collecting nectar out at the Saltmarsh Nature Center in…
Backyard and Beyond 