I've Moved

As of last week, I moved the Thus I have Seen concept to a new platform. Please click here to see what I am currently doing/thinking/excited about. [NOTE: New platform allows me to post from my iPhone or iPad mini. Makes things a lot more spontaneous].   

Base Camp Duffel Redux

Still traveling with that duffel (See Duffel Bag). Here, thrown in the back of a worn, but noble moto-taxi at the port in Hkamti, Sagaing Region, Myanmar. Boat broke down twice on the 8 hour ride getting here, and I was glad to have my bag on another form of transportation.

Hoban Cards

Hoban Cards specializes in making beautifully designed letterpress printed calling cards, business cards, and stationery. Minimal, affordable letterpress printing. This small print shop in the Pacific Northwest does fantastic work. They made my personal card – which I love, and if you are looking for this type of thing, I am sure that they could print something for you that you would also love. 

What Am I Reading These Days?

Deep Ecology for the 21st Century is a 488 page compendium about the basic tenets and historical roots of deep ecology, wilderness, conservation biology, ecofeminism, and ecological approaches to being in the world. Wonderful writings by Arne Ness, George Sessions, Gary Snyder, Jack Turner, Dave Foreman, and Thomas Berry. All of my favorites.  I am actually reading this book for the second time. Makes a nice companion to some of the readings highlighted here (and in four subsequent posts). [NOTE: Thomas Berry's chapter reflects on how to be a viable human. We could all use a little work in this area]. 

Another Visit to Bagan

I re-visited Bagan (this time with Elysa) on my recent trip to Myanmar. The ruins still extend all over the landscape, they are still breathtaking, and this is still the best place in the world to ride bikes and look at ancient Buddhist temples. But, the 2016 earthquake did produce some noticeable damage. Like the broken stupa shown on the right in the photo above. Or, even worse, the Shwesandaw Pagoda was severely damaged and you can't climb up it anymore. No more beautiful sunset pictures from this iconic temple until it gets repaired (See Sunset at Bagan). 

Rattan Growth in Northern Myanmar

Have recently returned from Sagaing Region, Myanmar where I re-measured 120 rattan plants that I had marked the year before to determine their annual growth. Image above shows Su Pan (left, WCS Research Assistant) and Kyaw Zin Aung (right, Ranger, Myanmar Forest Department) stretching a tape to see how much the yamahta kyein (Calamus palustris) individual had grown [NOTE: The white paint mark on the stem above and to the right of Kyaw Zin Aung's hand was the location of the last leaf in 2016].

The results from this fieldwork for yamahta kyein are shown below. There appears to be a good relationship between size and growth rate for this species, i.e. taller canes usually have access to higher light levels, and some of the larger canes grow almost 2.0 meters/year. As far as I know, these are the first quantitative data on rattan growth from Myanmar. This is the type of information that is needed to define a sustainable harvest of wild rattan populations (see Growth Data for Wild Rattans).

Harley-Davidson XG750

Since July I have been commuting to work on two wheels. After 22 years without a motorcycle in my life (kids, career, life, and stuff), I made one of my dreams come true and bought a Harley-Davidson. Its an XG 750 and going to work has gotten a lot more fun. Performs well in rush-hour traffic, gets 55 miles per gallon, and you can park it anywhere (shown above outside my office). Really nice bike.

[NOTE: It seems I may have started blogging again on this site. Maybe related somehow to the book or the bike? We'll see how this goes...]

Managing the Wild

My manuscript (Study at Villa No. 3, Sigh of Relief) has finally been turned into a book, a joint publication of Yale University Press and NYBG Press. All the editing and indexing has been completed and it is currently at the printer. The book should be available February 20, 2018. Yippeee!!

Go here for more information about Managing the Wild: Stories of People and Plants and Tropical Forests. [NOTE: I wonder if anyone is still looking at this blog? Didn't know any place else to share the good news.]

Redwoods

This is a test. Is anyone still following this blog? Spent some time in the redwoods earlier this year (Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and other groves). In the old days, I would have done numerous posts on the trip because these are truly amazing trees. But these are the new days...

Psst.

Hi. I have started to occasionally post to my Twitter account. And to upload a few pictures to Instagram now and then. Just so you know.