Abert Essays
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abertessays.bsky.social
Abert Essays
@abertessays.bsky.social
Ecology blogger - Observations of Natural Life in the Colorado Foothills. abertessays.substack.com
It's good to get back to this writing again.
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Phenology vs Phrenology
What to do with data.
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January 9, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Violet-green Swallow babies
August 17, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Rufous Hummingbirds -
When all the bullies fight each other, no one gets anything.

And I’ll leave that right here.
July 13, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Encounters: Duck butts. That is all.
July 6, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Here’s some fireworks - Ooooh, Aaaah.
Giant Red Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)
July 5, 2025 at 1:39 AM
It’s moose calving season. I hope you see one and stay safe!
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MOOSE!
Shhhhhh! Come out on the deck very quietly. Grab the binoculars and camera. Keep the dog inside so she doesn’t bark. There’s a moose in the pond.
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July 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
There's more out in the elk meadow than 'elk duds'.
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Rocky Mountain Iris
Don't step on me!
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June 8, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Finally back to writing after a busy Spring!
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Not a Flower
Do YOU know what it is?
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May 19, 2025 at 2:34 AM
My property walk today had at least 3 pasqueflower blooms. So, it's a good time to revisit this early Spring beauty.
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Pasqueflowers
Fuzzy, wuzzy was a … flower?
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April 14, 2025 at 1:54 AM
The pond is waking up, and I find no better balm for this upside-down world than to sit with my camera and soak in where things are going right. Breathe…
April 14, 2025 at 1:53 AM
A revisit of a post from a year ago. This was a fun one.
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Feather Functions and Fortunes
There’s more to it than you might think…
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March 9, 2025 at 2:50 AM
It’s Sandhill Crane migration season again. Take a break from politics and enjoy a little awe.
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Sandhill Cranes
A poster-bird for migration.
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February 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The Answer, My Friend, is…
You know the rest
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February 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Goin' on a 'Woop'
There's treasure out there
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February 3, 2025 at 5:10 AM
New blog post:
Now, more than ever, in our lifetimes, the importance of demonstrating and seeing the value of the natural world is critical. Please consider subscribing.

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Yes, We Bought a 'Swamp'
It’s one of the most valuable parts of our Foothills property.
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January 24, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Here's part two of my posts looking at quarzite, to gold, to wood.
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Gold Needs Wood
Part two
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January 7, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Latest blog post - geology is much more fun than politics.
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An Abundant Mineral
A bit of nothing and yet everything.
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January 6, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Elk in the Elk Meadow - the rut is now over and the females, along with the calves and juvenile males, have wandered into the meadow to hang together peacefully. Their hides show the scars of the rut. For now, they rest.
December 29, 2024 at 11:36 PM
Nuthatches
Upside-down, busy little birdies and their littler cousins
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December 28, 2024 at 10:34 PM
Encounters: Fresh 6 inches of snow yesterday, and a property walk today showed this little track of a mouse or vole popping out of the snow layer and back in. A little sign of life in the Subnivean zone. abertessays.substack.com/p/life-under...
December 11, 2024 at 12:11 AM
I’ve had some great conversations, both via email and in-person, about my last post on Colorado native plants. I’m thankful for the community of readers that have grown around the Abert Essays!

Here's a timely repost as I'm seeing fresh terminal buds on the ground.
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What the Terminal Bud is Going On Here??
A closer look is required.
substack.com
December 8, 2024 at 11:14 PM
What Thrives Here
A not-so-secret society
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November 27, 2024 at 4:33 AM
Has anyone read Richard Power's new novel, Playground? It affected me and I would love to discuss it with others. Also figuring out some of the plot angles he puts there.
November 23, 2024 at 1:39 AM
Reposted by Abert Essays
To the leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE): As stewards of our nation’s parks, we stand firmly against any attempt to undermine the mission of the National Park Service. (1/7)
November 21, 2024 at 2:11 PM