Nature Blogging and Twitter

On November 4, I'm making a presentation to the New River Valley Bird Club about nature journals and blogs. Now, I have to think about why I do this. Here are some of my notes:

Why I Blog

I've kept a paper journal for many years but only started blogging two years ago. I'm surprised I'm still doing it but it must be good.

Advantages:

• I learn something new every time I get on to check my blogroll. Example: post on sandhill cranes.
  
• Part of Worldwide Blog Community of Nature Watchers. Each blog is unique, reflecting each person's interests--some informative, lovely, funny, etc.
  
• Makes where I live seem special when others are interested.
• Can post my photos, text, and videos (see below):
  
• Collaboration: An artist took this photo from one of my blog posts and made a painting. She sent me a print.
  

Disadvantages:

• time-consuming sometimes leading to lack of focus (must be disciplined to use)
• interesting posts keep you online and out of nature!
• weight gain!
  

Why I Tweet (Sometimes)

I tweeted for the first time a year ago when a fellow nature blogger and myself tweeted back and forth. I couldn't understand any good use for Twitter then. A few months ago, I gave it another try when I noticed some of my favorite bloggers were online tweeting away (Kerri and Dawn). This is what I perceive as the major advantages:

• Real-time links to relevant posts, images, and other articles.
  
• Quick IDs (versus blogs which can take several days).
  
• Smart phones allow immediate transfer of data/text from the field.

Disadvantage:

• Same as above but maybe even more!

Facebook--I don't use for nature blogging, more of a personal/family connection.

Mystery Solved: Pulcherricium caeruleum

Thanks to Pam for searching the internet to find a couple of websites that identify my blue mold I wrote and pasted photos of in my previous post. It's Pulcherricium caeruleum, a blue fungus that grows underneath logs. According to this University of Wisconsin website, this fungi is one of over 100 fungi species that live on the underside of logs. Pulcherricuym means "most beautiful" and caeruleum means "blue." Actually, when I first looked at the color, I thought it reminded me of a watercolor pigment which is named "Cerrulean Blue." Another website she listed had a photo almost exactly like mine, not too surprising since the fungus was also on a poplar log.

This is why I appreciate the nature blog community so much. Nina identified an unknown shrub in an earlier post. It was Japanese barberry, an alien shrub. Earlier this year, Owlman identified a bird's nest as probably made by a chipping sparrow. That led me to my field guide to confirm it. Posting and reading posts help me to learn more about the natural world around me. Thanks to all of you.