Unsolved aspen mysteries

Autumn is when the quaking aspen trees begin to show off their mysterious side. Questions fall into place, but answers are hard to come by. At lower elevations in the Rockies, aspen (Populus tremuloides [Salicaceae]) is everywhere. Its clones dominate the landscape, creating a sea of white trunks and dark green leaves that rustle softly…

Ladders and lightning

Field season in the Rockies is over, which means no more long days carrying heavy equipment up and down mountains in stormy weather. There is some pleasure in sitting at a desk working through data and manuscripts, but I mostly miss the work – challenges and dangers and all. Most involved ladders – and lightning….