environment Archives - the right effort

Duluth, MN …Who Knew?

October 25, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, walking, writingTagged blogging, environment, history, travel2 Comments

Quite by accident I learned about an aerial lift bridge in Duluth! And there off in the distance as we drove from northern Wisconsin into Duluth I could see the 502 foot bridge! It was originally constructed in 1901 – 1905. Modifications were made in 1929 with the addition of an elevated roadway. Continued rehabilitation of it all was in 1986, 1999, 2007 and 2009.

We were fortunate to be standing near the bridge when it came time to elevate it! Vehicles on the bridge were off it. People walking on the bridge were told to get off it. And then the bridge lifted into the air between the two towers; amazing!

Bridge as vehicular and foot traffic travel over the bridge.

Bridge is up to allow boats to pass through.

And it comes back down … amazing and fun to watch!

The second thing I learned about Duluth, Minnesota is they are working to get Dark Sky designation so people can see all the beautiful stars in the sky at night. Fantastic Duluth!

Returned to Presque Isle Park, Marquette, MI

October 22, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, environment, Nature, travel, wildlife5 Comments

Presque Isle Park I enjoyed the first time I visited and so I am back! This time to walk at Black Rocks Beach and take a hike at the Bog trail. Photos of our time before the rain!

Black Rocks Beach:

Bog Trail:

Presque Isle Bog Walk and out to Lake Superior!

Montreal’s Jardin Botanique

October 18, 2026October 2, 2026Posted in blogging, history, Plants, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged birds, environment, history, travelLeave a comment

Let’s drive a different road home? We left the USA through to Montreal, Ottawa, and Sudbury Canada to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Despite all the rain, we had our most enjoyable time at the botanical garden (Jardin botanique) in Montreal. It had Japanese, Chinese and First Nations gardens. There was so much to see!

Ready soon for the Magic of Lanterns Festival

The Chinese Garden resembles a private garden of a 14th – 17th century Imperial court official in China. This garden was built in China, dismantled and shipped by sea to Montreal! In 1990 it was reassembled by 50 Chinese craftsmen brought here from China. In 1991 the Dream Lake Garden opened. All of this demonstrates quite a friendship between China and Montreal. Plus, read below about The Magic of Lanterns Festival each year!

Chinese elm, 140 years old; donated from China

There was also a First Nations Garden in the deciduous forest. The Canadian Constitution recognizes 11 First Nations, Métis and Inuit. First Nations is the largest group. Our walk was through hardwood and conifer forests and landscape of tundra. This garden was inaugurated in 2001 along with an interesting display and we saw a red-shouldered hawk fly in! Wow! Then a short time later we saw 2 hawks in a tree. Look closely at that photo!

Two hawks in the tree … see them? What a great day we had!

Elephant Herd at Boston Public Garden!

October 4, 2026September 5, 2026Posted in Animals, Artwork, blogging, environment, wildlife, writingTagged blogging, environment, Nature, wildlifeLeave a comment

The herd’s indigenous creators made each elephant from an invasive weed in India: lantana camara. This aggressive plant can be found in TX, FL, CA, Australia, India and inland at the Galapagos. These Indian artisans of the Real Elephant Collective in southern India use the invasive weed to construct the elephants. I tried to capture their work in the photos below. Fortunately I saw the herd on tour in Boston, MA. For more info regarding their next stops, check out: TheGreatElephantMigration.org

You’ll see one red elephant named “Mayflower”. This elephant is to represent those in the real world when they would turn red when coating themselves in iron-rich clay. They do this to protect their skin from the sun and as a natural barrier against bugs.

It was a wonderful opportunity to see the work of these indigenous artisans, using an invasive weed, and creating a magnificent display of powerful animals! BTW, each sculpture is for sale.

The “Paper House” in Massachusetts

October 1, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, education, environment, history, Nature, travelLeave a comment

The “Paper House” in Rockport, Massachusetts was an interesting quick visit. This 1924 house with paper walls and furniture has survived a century! It was a summer camp to live in; only roof, floor and house frame wooden when originally built, the rest from paper.

The Stenman family read 3 newspapers per day. With additional newspapers from others, they built this house and made various furniture pieces, such as the grandfather clock. It was built in 1933 from the capital city papers from 48 states at that time:

Walls were newspaper pages pasted … with mixture of flour, water and apple peels…. with lacquer then applied. Walls were layered 215 sheets thick and were for insulation; now covered to hold the walls in shape.

Visitors to the property can step into the house and see all the created pieces. Some are tightly rolled or folded paper structures, but the piano is real and covered with paper. When you visit, look closely at some furniture and you’ll see historical headlines from the 1920’s.

Need a place to stay for the night? Check out the Blue Shutters in Gloucester

Wish to eat a lobster roll? Check out Charlie’s Place. Take a short hike at Halibut Point… plenty to visit along the coast; enjoy!

Fungi Galore!

September 13, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, Plants, writingTagged blogging, environment, hiking, Nature2 Comments

The wet ground in upstate New York forested area was the perfect place for fungi to grow. On one hike here are the various fungi I observed with help from my 2 friends.

Fungi are helpful in decomposing organic material; much needed!

Fillmore Glen State Park in upstate NY

September 10, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged environment, history, Nature, travel, wildlife3 Comments

Fillmore Glen became a state park thanks to the efforts of Charles Atwood. He recognized the beauty and importance of maintaining a place like this for years to come. His efforts began in 1919; finally in June 1925 the 941 acres was recognized as a state park. It is named Fillmore Glen State Park in honor of US President Fillmore.

I appreciate his interest in protecting this land!

Visitors can hike the north, south or gorge trail and easily make a 3 mile loop as we did. On the south rim trail we observed many mushrooms … so different from my home desert environment… and completed our loop on the gorge trail.

Wow! Gorge trail is spectacular with waterfalls. Plenty of water was running and falling! We walked in a narrow, steep-walled gorge under trees and protected from the summer heat. It was wonderful and not muddy or buggy.

People can hike, camp, swim in the designated area and fish at the Owasco Lake inlet. Nature Conservancy is also involved in protecting this watershed.

If you are near Moravia, New York, this is definitely a park to visit!

Next blog post I photographed different types of fungi!!! Will share.

Mushrooms in New York State

September 3, 2026August 10, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, PlantsTagged blogging, environment, NatureLeave a comment

Mushrooms were everywhere during our latest hike at Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs near Lansing, New York. The mushrooms took on all colors and shapes. I do not know one mushroom/fungi from another, but loved looking at and photographing them. Enjoy!

Finger Lakes Land Trust in NYS

August 30, 2026August 10, 2026Posted in Birds, blogging, environment, wildflowers, wildlife, writingTagged birds, environment, hiking, Nature, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

New York State has a new trail thanks to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Near Lansing New York is a 224 acre protected conservation area named Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs. The out and back 3.4 mile trail can be located on AllTrails app.

Ample parking is available at start, then a leisurely meadow walk and pollinator garden. Great hike for anyone wanting shade. Since it rained recently, we saw numerous examples of fungi. Plenty of black raspberries ready to pick! Further along there are vista points; cliffs over-looking Cayuga Lake; bench available to sit and relax. Four thousand feet of shoreline so better views could be from a boat if you happen to be on the lake!

A trail worth checking out if you are in the area! Bird-wise it was quiet, so I distracted myself looking at mushrooms. Next blog post I’ll share some photos of fungi!

“BirdBuddy” is Cool!

August 23, 2026August 7, 2026Posted in Birds, blogging, environment, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged birding, birds, environment, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

While visiting a friend who loves birds too, I noticed a bird feeder in the backyard. This one though is quite different from others I’ve seen. These bird feeders are solar-powered and with a camera. The camera captures a video of the bird(s) while they feed at the feeder. Cool!

Ruby-throated hummingbird was seen head-on as it slurped the sugary mixture. Wow, few times do we see them from that angle! That feeder is designed especially for hummers. Another feeder had seeds where sparrows and other birds frequented.

If interested in seeing more about these smart bird feeders, check out: https://www.mybirdbuddy.com (I have no affiliation with this company. Do your research to find best deal if you go the purchasing route.) It was fun seeing birds at the feeders and watching the videos on my friend’s phone app. One gets to see a bird close-up and in action! Cool!