Welcome to my photoblog on:
Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center
My name is James. I am a senior at South Johnston High School in Benson, NC.
I love the outdoors and plan to make a career out of environmental science. I'm not positive as to my major as of this moment, but conservation is high on my list.
We inherited a pristine planet. It is my hope that we leave our planet clean, healthy and rich with resources for future generations. Please consider voting for politicians that are environmentally conscious.
I plan to utilize technology, social media and photography in hopes to inspire and motivate others to get outdoors, to enjoy and treasure the many diverse resources this state has to offer. It is a concern to me that people my age seem less interested in being outdoors and enjoying nature. Sure we have many involved in team sports, and that is great, but what about our state parks?
We are becoming a society that is heavily influenced by social media. Most everyone today is involved in some form of social media be it for personal or business purposes. My thought is engage others on this social platform for the benefit of our natural resources and our state parks. It is also a way for me to share my love of nature with others. So I hope you enjoy my photoblog on Howell Woods. I plan to start other photoblogs featuring different NC State Parks in the near future.
If you've been to my photoblog before, welcome back. If this is your first time visiting my photoblog, thanks for stopping by and please follow me on facebook for updates. Below there's the link to my facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photoblog-By-James-Howell-Woods/233829593470397
To learn more about Howell Woods, please see my previous posts for info, photos, and videos.
If you've never been to Howell Woods I hope this blog will peak your interest enough that you will visit. It is a treasure located in Johnston County and one of my favorite places.
To visit the Howell Woods website, click on the link below.
http://www.johnstoncc.edu/howellwoods/
Jordan Astoske
Director of Howell Woods
jtastoske@johnstoncc.edu
(919) 938-0115 ext. 221
"Have a great day, spend it outdoors!"
James
All photos were taken by and are copyright property of James and Wade Giddens
_________________________
August 2014
The topic for my August post was going to be the native plants at Howell Woods. However, due to scheduling difficulties, I haven't had the opportunity to meet with operations technician, Steve Ashby to discuss the native gardens that he started at Howell Woods. So until I can get his input, I am posting a type of public service about one of the most unpleasant inhabitants of the woods. Please check back soon for the native garden post._______________________________
When enjoying the outdoors, be aware of these little bloodsuckers. Pay attention to the signs that are posted at Howell Woods. Although I'm having a little fun, tick bites can be a serious issue.
DON'T FEED THE TICKS!
CHECK OFTEN and REMOVE PROMPTLY
If you're going to be in the outdoors, especially the woods, there's a good chance you
could find one of these little guys.
TIPS:
• The prevent or lower the risk picking them up at all, use a bug spray as a deterrent before entering the woods.
• Dress in long pants and long sleeves when possible.
• Check yourself thoroughly when you are through enjoying nature. When you get home check again, as the ticks might be
hanging out on your clothes and you might not right away notice them, especially since some of these ticks are so small that
they are difficult to notice at all.
• If I find one crawling around on my skin or clothes I usually squish it.
• If you find one attached to your recently skin (no sore or redness around the bite) there are different schools of thought on
how best to remove. I like pouring hydrogen peroxide on the area. The tick usually backs out of the area to get away from it.
Pulling it off, there's a risk you might not get the tick's head, which can cause other problems.. I usually pull them off anyway and thoroughly wash the area seeing ensuring I get the entire tick.
* If you find the tick and a big red, swollen or whelped area around the tick. Go to the doctor. Some ticks carry diseases and better to be safe than sorry.
I am attaching a couple of links below for reference.
http://www.tic-nc.org/aboutticks.html
http://www.caryinstitute.org/newsroom/understanding-tick-borne-diseases
Tick bites and how to treat them...
http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Tick-Bites
http://www.tickencounter.org/resources/tick_biteology
A bite like these means it's time to visit a doctor.
James
