mtully's blog
A Glimpse of Nature - Listen Up!
Bird song is among the most conspicuous natural phenomena of May. If you have recently walked at the Ames Free Library or, for that matter, anywhere in southeastern Massachusetts, you couldn’t help but hear the chorus: resident birds, newly-arrived migrants, and passers-through are all singing. Those who stay sing to attract mates and to announce their territory. In most, though not all species, the males deliver the songs. They sing like there’s no tomorrow and, indeed, there really isn’t. Our short-lived songbirds must start the process of raising young while food is avail
A Glimpse of Nature - Patience
Good things take time to grow: A Glimpse of Nature will return next week with the promised post on spring ephemerals. In the meantime, here’s this week’s challenge:
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Go for a walk in the woods.
2. Photograph one wildflower in bloom. Yes, you can use your phone!
Staff Stories - Jessica Block
Welcome to AFL Staff Stories! Every month we'll introduce you (or REintroduce you!) to a different member of the AFL Staff and tell you a little about their favorites.
This month, meet AFL's Assistant Director, Jessica Block. Click here for Jessica's stories.
Finding the Light
From the aesthetically pleasing, to the historical, to the mundane, to the downright ridiculous, many of us are obsessed with picture taking. Why do I have 10,000 photos of the same sunrise? Do I really need to share what I had for breakfast with the whole world?
And is anyone’s life enriched by seeing a picture of me making a face like a duck?
A Glimpse of Nature - Flowers for Dinner
Yesterday, as I did a quick inspection of the library’s grounds, the movements of a gray squirrel drew my attention. The animal was at a distance, in a tree on the opposite bank of our neighbor’s pond.
Sustainability Resources from the Ames Free Library
Are you interested in learning more about sustainable living or climate change? The Ames Free Library has resources for all ages! Take few minutes to browse this virtual room created by staff member California Muratore to learn more.
A Glimpse of Nature - Mayflower
We’ve all heard the proverb, “April showers bring May flowers.” Well, it’s mid April, and the “mayflowers” have already begun to bloom. I am referring to a particular flower, the species Epigaea repens, commonly known as trailing arbutus or mayflower. This early-blooming species is a lovely, but humble, shrub that grows only a few inches tall as it creeps along the forest floor.
Staff Stories - Ian Dunbar
Welcome to AFL Staff Stories! Every month we'll introduce you (or REintroduce you!) to a different member of the AFL Staff and tell you a little about their favorites.
This month we celebrate our new AFL Director, Ian Dunbar. Click here for Ian's stories.
Librarian's Lounge - April 2022
Happy April! As I write this I’m wrapping up a busy shift at the Reference Desk where I’ve seen a mix of new and familiar faces come by throughout the day. Anyone who thinks libraries aren’t lively places clearly hasn’t been to AFL recently!
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