Each week I am out in the forest, hiking a variety of trails and routes at different elevations.    Every outing is unique and rewarding, but I am drawn to the forests on the Interior Plateau, especially in quiet areas.     There is wildlife to observe, but there are also herbs, shrubs, trees, fungi, lichen, mosses, liverworts, and decaying matter to investigate.   I take a few photos, then when I return home, I identify species and read up, expanding my understanding one day at a time.

References are useful, but at times, a good video can summarize the science concisely, complete with high quality images, but also with real scientists explaining complex topics in understandable terms.    One of the best at this kind of documentary production is Nova.    Episodes are aired on PBS.   Older episodes are available on the PBS YouTube Channel.    Some newer episodes may be shared by YouTubers in low res, but can be seen on the Nova website after a period of time .    A preview is included here:

Watch for the Nova episode for a high res version on PBS.    A low-res copy can be found at this link.