Street Smart Naturalist: 2022 in Review
Thanks for all of your support!
I was planning on doing a review of my 2022 newsletters when I discovered that this is coincidentally my 100th newsletter, which I think is pretty darned nifty. Golly ned. Thanks to everyone who subscribes. Your support is what has kept me writing throughout the year.
As long term subscribers know, I tend to roam in my newsletters, ranging from stories that have long interested me to new discoveries for me to topical subjects. I am not sure exactly what unites them except they piqued my interest—usually having to do with the natural world—but I am also interested in architecture, Seattle history, and overlooked stuff: a fact or observation or insight motivated me to explore the topic and try to write something fun, not only for me to write but for you to read.
That has always been a prime goal—to make these newsletters enjoyable and engaging, hoping ultimately that they further your connections to the world around you. Many certainly are hyperlocal, focusing on some narrow facet, such as prism lights, the Montlake Ship Canal, or Seattle and the Plague, but I like to believe that they highlight something that you will see or think about or have wondered about, no matter where you live.
What further unites them is that I never really know what subject is going to generate responses and interest except that newsletters that I think are rather clever or particularly well-written don’t get the interest I think they should. Oh well. Speaking of interest, in case you wanted to know, here’s a list of the five most viewed newsletters from 2022.
Fifty Coyotes in Seattle - Prompted by seeing a coyote one morning on a walk to the light rail station (I was the one on the way to the station though I have no clue of the coyote’s intent), I looked at how these animals are doing in Seattle. “Coyotes reaffirm for me a central truth that humans, even ones living in dense urban settings, cannot separate ourselves from the natural world around us.”
North by Northwest - A little exploration of geography and the urban grid. The newsletter’s popularity pleased me, learning that there are so many others intrigued by patterns and signs in the urban fabric.
Birds of a Feather - We were down in Carmel, California, and got to visit one of my favorite parks, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and see one of my favorite birds, pelicans.
Wooly Dogs - The PNW is one of the few places on either North or South America where people domesticated a dog to gain access to their fur. Sadly, those dogs are extinct.
The Lost Islands of Seattle - Another geography- and cartography-oriented story about Seattle. I always love making these curious and random observations. As I wrote: “I love being a map dork. Not only do I get to travel the world exploring different places, I also get to time travel, taking dips in landscapes past.”
One aspect of my newsletter I cherish is that so many people send in comments. Not all of them make it into the Comments section, as some people contact me directly. Both ways work for me! The comments range from providing additional insights into what I wrote (such as the difference between codes and ciphers) to stories of people’s own encounters (I am certainly not alone in having a wild, non-grassy yard) to words of thanks and encouragement. Sure, you’ve pointed out various geographic mistakes and typos and grammar issues (of which there are many), all of which I appreciate and try to fix, but I have yet to receive any negative comments. I deeply appreciate your positive support in helping to foster an engaged and thoughtful community.
For 2023, I don’t plan to change anything. The newsletter will continue to be weekly, wide-ranging, and occasionally silly. (Thanks to those who have written and said they like my humor, all three of you!) I have started to think about a variety of topics that I hope to delve into and I always appreciate suggestions of subjects you’d like me to explore. Please don’t hesitate to share my newsletter with others.
Phrase of the Week - Atmospheric river - One of my favorite sections of the Seattle Times is Rant & Rave. The one below got me thinking. Is “Atmospheric river” some new fangled term? MIT researchers Yong Zhu and Reginald Newell coined the term in 1994, in reference to filaments of Equatorial vapor that flow northward toward the poles. They chose the term because “some carry as much water as the Amazon.” (Atmospheric Rivers and Bombs, Geophysical Research Letters, v 21, no. 18, 9/1/1994) Normally 6 to 10 ARs (as the weather geeks call them) are active around the globe. The one we get has also been called the pineapple express, a term that started to appear in newspapers in 1986.
As some of you know, in addition to writing books, articles, and my newsletter, I also lead walks and give talks about human and natural history in the PNW. This is simply a quick note to ask you to contact me if you know of an organization or company that might be interested in having me speak. Here’s a link to the Walks/Talks page on my website, which contains more information. Thanks.
Wow, congratulations on your 100th newsletter! Thanks for sharing your thoughts each week. I am familiar with some topics but most are new to me and provide a new perspective on our community & world. Hope you keep 'em coming!
Happy 100th and wishing, for us readers, you have many many more!! Your energy and positivity is a gift! Thank you for sharing it! Mother Nature is no doubt pleased too. Positivity!! "Happiness is a mood, Positivity is a mindset!" Thank your sharing your positive energy! Wishing you a wonderful healthy 2023!