Near the End...

Now that i'm nearing the end of my Bernheim Forest residency  I have decided, as a lasting memento, to organize a photo of all the staff.  So many of the staff at Bernheim have inspired me; they have been so willing to share their knowledge with me that I if i hadn't experienced this, I wouldn't of made so much work - nor discovered so many interesting things at Bernheim.

Found chair in cabin

I took a picture of this dusty settee with the sign in what used to be the front kiosk cabin at the former front gate. 

Views from the fire tower at Bernheim

the fire tower at Bernheim was built in 1929 and used to be manned 24 hours during the summer and autumn months until the 1980's. The introduction of controlled managed fires within Bernheim since then has reduced the risk of accidental or natural caused fires. 

the view of the Kentucky Knobs - with clouds hanging in the distance

48 feet high and 65 steps up - well worth the effort for the rewarding views from the top

Managed Sites at Bernheim: Drawings 1,2 & 3

These drawings depict three sites at Bernheim where human intervention is both subtle and apparent; a wild pig trap situated deep in the natural area, an emerald ash borer trap hanging off an ash tree branch and a Chinese chestnut tree being pollinated with the pollen of the American chestnut.

Drawings of native plants found at Bernheim

These drawings I did as studies for a work I plan to do - where using the dried seeds of native plants, I will compose a 'drawing' of the plant by moving the seeds into a liner representation of the plant - a bit like a plant self-portrait. Whilst researching these plants I also became curious about their given folk names (or common names) - some having up to 7 different names.

Silphium Laciniatum; otherwise known as the compass flower and rosinweed

Ratibida Pinnata; otherwise known as prairie coneflower or grey-head coneflower

Eryngium Yuccifolium; otherwise known as rattlesnake master and button snake-root

Continued Observations at Bernheim

Purple martin chicks ready to fledge - I found these nesting in the garden pavilion

the limbs of a weeping European beech

Bernheim's study skin of the now extinct passenger pigeon - note how it looks like it's sleeping

a wild pig trap found back in the natural area - they are causing untold damage to the native plants and wildlife

Jake cutting down dying trees

an emerald ash borer trap; this insect (native to Asia) has been killing the ash trees in the surround states of Kentucky 

Sam, a regular at Bernheim with his catch of 'crappies' (pronounced 'croppies!)

An Afternoon with Uncle Ron

Uncle Ron, a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, gave me a lesson on to do a good turkey call. I'm getting quite good now. This is him sat in his lounge amongst a life-time of trophy heads. 

Kevin

This is a video still of a short film I made, now on show at the New Center for Contemporary Art in Louisville. Kevin works at Bernheim and does a really good turkey call, he kindly let me video him.

Two Exhibitions: 'Berheim Arboretum' and 'New Center for Contemporary Art'

Well I've been busy getting ready for the two exhibitions and they are finally up! The New Center for Contemporary Art show in Louisville will be open this friday 5th September for the gallery hop 7-9pm and the exhibition at Berheim is open everyday 9-5.

The National Wild Turkey Federation annual banquet

me and Pat, a Bernheim employee and turkey hunter

a guy with real wolves' teeth for a necklace

One of the guns being auctioned

Two guys selling raffle tickets

A stuffed 'gobbler' on display

  

Me and a gun, talking to Uncle Ron 

Welcome to my blog

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Whilst I am in residence at Berheim Aboretum and Research Forest I am going to share with you some of things I have encountered; people, places and situations on this blog.