Wild Ozark™

~ Nature Artist using Ozark pigments in Kingston, Arkansas ~

Category: Nature

A Green Dragon Drawing

I’ve been working on a Green Dragon drawing for the cover of NANPS’s summer issue of Blazing Star. There will be another of the spathe and spadix to do next. That one will be used in the article.

Here’s the … Read the rest “A Green Dragon Drawing”

13 February 2018
Guest Post: Climate Change. Just My Thoughts and Observations

A note from Madison: Just to clear up some confusion – This is a guest post. It’s not my article. My own opinion on things is a lot more woo-woo and probably a lot less “scientific”, in spite of my … Read the rest “Guest Post: Climate Change. Just My Thoughts and Observations”

11 February 2018
What Does a Nature Farm Produce?

Today I took a little hike after feeding the horses. I was on a mission to collect moss and lichen-covered branches. These are just some of the things the Wild Ozark Nature Farm produces.

And that’s how a nature farm … Read the rest “What Does a Nature Farm Produce?”

9 February 2018
Things I’ve Learned (Since Moving to the Country)

These are the things I’ve learned since moving out here to Wild Ozark.

I used to think I lived in “the country”, before we moved out here. That was thirteen years ago and I quickly realized once we burnt the … Read the rest “Things I’ve Learned (Since Moving to the Country)”

8 February 2018
An Exploration of our Wild Ozark Bluff

Yesterday we took the day off from our usual daily work and hiked around Ozark bluff that follows our driveway. Every time we travel to and from the house, we look at it and comment that we’d like to get … Read the rest “An Exploration of our Wild Ozark Bluff”

7 February 2018
Hiking to the Wild Ozark Corner Bluff

A while back, I posted about our exploration of the bluffs along the driveway. This time we went hiking to what I call the “Corner Bluff”.

It’s not far away, either, but takes a bit of effort. Getting to … Read the rest “Hiking to the Wild Ozark Corner Bluff”

7 February 2018
Freezing Fingers for Nature Art – Photos, Bringing Hay to Horses on an Icy Morning

It was 12* F as the sun came up over the mountain yesterday morning. I headed outside to feed the animals, and freezing fingers were in the forecast. When I fed the horses, I walked across the creek to check … Read the rest “Freezing Fingers for Nature Art – Photos, Bringing Hay to Horses on an Icy Morning”

6 February 2018
Black and White Cloudscape #nowordsneeded

#nowordsneeded and the title of the photo are all I put on these posts. If you’d like to participate in this Twitter and Blogging meme, use the hashtag in your title and leave a comment with a link to
… Read the rest “Black and White Cloudscape #nowordsneeded”

3 February 2018
Guest Post: A Nature Enthusiast’s Guide to Southwest Missouri

A note from Madison: I get many requests by content providers to do guests posts here on the Wild Ozark blog. Most of the time, the subject matter isn’t closely related enough to nature or any of the site topics. … Read the rest “Guest Post: A Nature Enthusiast’s Guide to Southwest Missouri”

31 January 2018
Build your Herbal Armory!

Useful plants grow all around us. It’s time to start building your herbal armory of plant allies now.

My book, 10 Common Plants worth Knowing in a Long-term Survival Situation, will introduce you to ten at a time. I’ll … Read the rest “Build your Herbal Armory!”

17 January 2018
Day 9: Nature Journal Series

Grapevine & Insect Observation

Nature Journal entry from Day 9.

About this journal entry

On Day 9 of my daily journaling stint, I didn’t feel like getting off of the porch and I wondered if I could find something nearby … Read the rest “Day 9: Nature Journal Series”

3 January 2018
Day 8: Nature Journal Series

Acorn on Weathered Stick

Nature Journal entry from Day 8.

About this journal entry

On Day 8 of my daily journaling stint, I couldn’t help reflecting on the sounds of trees dying in the distance. Chainsaws and crashing … Read the rest “Day 8: Nature Journal Series”

1 January 2018
The Last Snow of 2017

This morning I woke to the sparkly glitz of snow flurries. We’ve hardly had any snow at all this winter so far. Just a bare dusting a week or two ago, and that’s it.

When the sun came out, the … Read the rest “The Last Snow of 2017”

31 December 2017
Using a Spring for Water – Winter Issues

When you rely on a spring for water, you need a tank. This is our 1500 gallon water collection tank.

Using a spring for water requires more effort than relying on tap water. Sometimes, just because you turn on the … Read the rest “Using a Spring for Water – Winter Issues”

29 December 2017
How Ginseng Stewardship Also Benefits the Landowner

Someone asked me yesterday about how ginseng stewardship benefits the landowner. It stumped me at first, because I’d never considered it from that angle.

What is Stewardship?

To steward something is to manage or take care of something. The short … Read the rest “How Ginseng Stewardship Also Benefits the Landowner”

24 December 2017
A Couple of Photos from Today: Mossy Oak Limbs and Our Dirt Road

I find certain trees are just as beautiful in winter as they are the rest of the year. This old tree with her mossy oak limbs is one of my favorite photo subjects.

Mossy Oak Limbs

Our Dirt Road

Here’s … Read the rest “A Couple of Photos from Today: Mossy Oak Limbs and Our Dirt Road”

21 December 2017
Sun Sparkles

On this day in 2015, we had snow and sun sparkles. So far this year it’s been unseasonably warm and no snow so far. That could change this weekend, though – snow is in the forecast!

Since we haven’t had … Read the rest “Sun Sparkles”

21 December 2017
Book a Forest Folk Workshop Near You!

Want a Workshop Close to You?

If you’d like to host, or know somewhere good to have a workshop, get in touch. I’m willing to travel within 50 miles of Kingston, AR for groups of at least 10. Cost … Read the rest “Book a Forest Folk Workshop Near You!”

17 December 2017
Through Ice and Mud We Go – Bringing Hay to Horses

Through Ice and Mud

Whether through ice and mud, or snow, or rain or wind, kind of like the postman’s creed to deliver mail, we must deliver hay to the horses.

It’s easy to stay in touch with the wheel … Read the rest “Through Ice and Mud We Go – Bringing Hay to Horses”

7 December 2017
Day 7: Nature Journal Series

Christmas Fern

About this journal entry

On Day 7 of my daily journaling stint, I decided to draw the Christmas fern. These ferns are often present in good ginseng habitat. So it’s known as a companion plant, or indicator … Read the rest “Day 7: Nature Journal Series”

2 December 2017
Day 6: Nature Journal Series

Lobelia inflata in Late Summer

About this journal entry

Lobelia inflata is one of my most treasured wild-crafted herbs. It grows around us here like a “weed”, and most would never think it to be a useful plant. It’s … Read the rest “Day 6: Nature Journal Series”

24 November 2017
Day 5: Nature Journal Series

Little Orange Mushroom

About this journal entry

It’s amazing how quickly an hour flies by when you are trying unsuccessfully to figure out how to do something.

On another note, I’m finding that it is getting harder to focus … Read the rest “Day 5: Nature Journal Series”

22 November 2017
Day 4: Nature Journal Series

Ground Cherry

About this Entry

The inklings of trouble is starting to reveal itself already.

“This one will be much easier,” I thought as I settled on a subject for today’s entry. It is all mostly green, with hardly any … Read the rest “Day 4: Nature Journal Series”

20 November 2017
Making Twig Art: Gumball Folk Bride and Groom

My granddaughter stayed the night with us last night and today I thought we could make some twig art together. She wanted us to make a bride and groom Forest Folk pair, so we went outside to gather some botanicals.… Read the rest “Making Twig Art: Gumball Folk Bride and Groom”

19 November 2017
Finding Ginseng After the Leaves Fall

It’s hard to find ginseng after the leaves fall.

If you’re looking for more information about ginseng, or the prices forums for each year, check at the ginseng.wildozark.com blog or email me. I’ve moved most of the ginseng related … Read the rest “Finding Ginseng After the Leaves Fall”

18 November 2017