Ode to a Dead Tree

Ode to a Dead Tree

By Jeff Tome, Public Engagement Specialist I start many days at Audubon with a quick hike to the Blue Heron Overlook. It’s a fast hike that I can do in a few minutes, but it centers me and lets me focus on the day ahead. Sometimes there is amazing wildlife on the...
Blue Jay Mafia

Blue Jay Mafia

By Jeff Tome Dogs, like children, notice things that I don’t. One of the joys of teaching has always been the excitement of discovery that a child has when they find something new. They are shorter and have fewer ideas of what they will see, so they find things that...
Present in Nature

Present in Nature

By Jeff Tome It is important to be present. This is a saying that I hear a lot in my life. It seems like such a simple thing, to be present, but it is more complicated than just showing up. Your body can be present, but your mind absent. The mind wanders off on its...
Is there bad weather?

Is there bad weather?

By Jeff Tome People deal with the weather in many kinds of ways. Some people grumble. Others grouch about. Some are absurdly cheerful, no matter how cold and rainy it is. Some are simply practical about it. I would like to put myself in that practical category. I...
A Pup’s Nose view of the Neighborhood

A Pup’s Nose view of the Neighborhood

By Jeff Tome There are things in life that shake everything up. These events hit your life like an earthquake, shaking things apart and rebuilding life in unanticipated ways. For me, those events included marriage, having kids and, now, getting a puppy. If you are one...