Love the commentary here on how our initial efforts to name / describe a species often become a stand-in for the long-term living-with required to know another species in any great detail. Something I confront in my own work as a naturalist is how understudied many species are at a local level, whether it's timing, range, population trends, responses to human impacts — an example being the sentiment among old-timers here on the Key Peninsula that mountain beavers (another quirky name history) are vanishing. That is something I would love to substantiate. Hard to tell stories about species at a local level without more people paying close attention. Anyway, great post, thank you. I'm guessing you know it, but the book A Beast the Color of Winter by Douglas Chadwick is excellent.
Thanks for your kind words. I do like them mountain beavers. I know nothing about their naming history; sounds like I might have find out more. I do know Chadwick's excellent book, as well as his one wolverines, another animal that will play a role in my Cascades book.
Fascinating! I’ve admired mountain goats after first seeing them on the way to Stehekin. Once again, you’ve increased my understanding and appreciation of life around my home. And as always, you’ve taught me in a way that makes me smile and ponder.
Great post. Wonderful deep dive into American Natural History.
Great write up. Really enjoyed this
Love the commentary here on how our initial efforts to name / describe a species often become a stand-in for the long-term living-with required to know another species in any great detail. Something I confront in my own work as a naturalist is how understudied many species are at a local level, whether it's timing, range, population trends, responses to human impacts — an example being the sentiment among old-timers here on the Key Peninsula that mountain beavers (another quirky name history) are vanishing. That is something I would love to substantiate. Hard to tell stories about species at a local level without more people paying close attention. Anyway, great post, thank you. I'm guessing you know it, but the book A Beast the Color of Winter by Douglas Chadwick is excellent.
Thanks for your kind words. I do like them mountain beavers. I know nothing about their naming history; sounds like I might have find out more. I do know Chadwick's excellent book, as well as his one wolverines, another animal that will play a role in my Cascades book.
Fascinating! I’ve admired mountain goats after first seeing them on the way to Stehekin. Once again, you’ve increased my understanding and appreciation of life around my home. And as always, you’ve taught me in a way that makes me smile and ponder.
Thanks kindly. Always nice to hear from you.