Patterns in Nature: Snowflakes

Snowflakes are one of nature's lovliest little wonders. But is it true that no two are alike?

Find out the basics of snowflake-making, the colorful history of snowflake photography, and some unusual theories about snowflake attitude.

Sketchbook: Swan Lake

Swans are one of my blog's favorite topics. See my latest nature drawing in charcoal and graphite. Thanks to Stephen Heron for his Creative Commons photograph.


Sketchbook: Pueblo Boy

Portrait of a boy from San Ildefonso pueblo, based on an Edward Curtis photograph. Charcoal, 8x10.

The boy's Tewa name, "Okuwa Tsire" means "Cloud Bird." It suits his bright and cheerful expression.

People of the Hills: Winter

Iroquois people are no strangers to winter weather - their upstate New York homeland gets more than its share of frigid temperatures and snowfall.

This installment of video-photo essays by Syracuse Post-Standard photographer John Barry explores the winter traditions of the Onondaga nation.

Robert Mirabal "Pueblo Christmas"

(From the archives)

Flutist and song artist Mirabal:

"People ask me why I've made a Christmas album after all the struggles between Indigenous Peoples and Christianity. My answer is that I needed to address the contradictions...

For many Americans, Christmas is a time when they become conscious of spirituality, and I wanted to connect our cultures at this special time. No matter what the politics were like when these songs were first heard, the music was created to fill the listener with love, hope and joy. They show that beauty can go beyond conflict..."

This Month in History:

---

December 4, 1619:
The "Berkeley Thanksgiving"

English settlers from Berkeley, England arriving in Virginia in 1619 (yes, that's the year before the Pilgrim's Plymouth landing) made this date a commemoration of gratitude for their safe arrival in the New World. The colony of Berkeley's charter consecrated the date for a yearly observance of thanks [...]