Billion Bug Highway (From The Archive)

Revisiting this post because of the beautiful spring day - and the high probabilty of insect encounter. Wonderful NPR video about the web of life that extends into places that we never imagined. Humbling to think about the karmic implications of international air travel. 

More Mỹ Sơn

One more image from the ancient Hindu ruins at Mỹ Sơn in Central Vietnam (see Mỹ Sơn).  It seems I always visit these beautiful ruin complexes in the drizzling rain. The forests are greener, the stones are redder, my feet are wetter.

Just Enough

Ōryōki is a mindful form of eating that involves the carefully choreographed use of nested bowls, a spoon, chopsticks, a bowl cleaning scraper, and a cloth for tying the whole set together. Basic objective is to pay close attention to what you are eating (in silence), finish completely all of your food, and then rinse out your bowl when you're done.  The practice originated in Japan and is used for formal meals in many Zen temples in the U.S. 

The three Japanese characters comprising the word ōryōki (応 ō,量 ryō, and 器 ki) translate to "just enough". Careful attention, no waste. Go here for a more detailed discussion of ōryōki as practiced in the Soto Zen tradition. [NOTE: Image is from a beautiful ōryōki demonstration at the Empty Hand Zen Center (thx, Dennis)].

Wall of Cane

Close-up of a storage shed next to the house where we had lunch in Acateyahualco, Guerrero (see Meeting in Acateyahualco and Experts). The walls of this decidedly-provisional structure are made from dried cane and old posts. Don't know how well it works as a wall, but the texture and color are incredible. [NOTE: A high resolution copy of this image can be downloaded here. Makes a great desktop]. 

Running Compass

A key feature of good inventory transects is that they follow a straight line. Wonderful things happen when you walk a straight line through the forest. Keeping the transect on the right bearing is accomplished through the judicious use of a compass, in this case, a Silva Ranger compass.

Once you get the first two or three transect stakes in position, you can put the compass away and just use back sights to keep the stakes lined up. Continual use of the compass (or GPS) will cause the line to zig-zag (see Believe Your Eyes).

Image above shows U Myint Maung, Warden of the Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, keeping our rattan transect on course (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey)