Woodlands Cemetery, by lithographer P.S. Duval, 1860
Greg Fisher, former volunteer and current GIS and Digital Mapping Specialist taught himself GIS and has applied the framework to digitize the historic maps and records of The Woodlands Cemetery. In honor of the Cemetery's founding, we took an in-depth look into Greg’s transformative progress with GIS at The Woodlands.
Read MoreRecognized by their unique, fan-shaped leaves, the Ginkgo biloba is a common tree in Philadelphia. You've probably seen them lining Spruce Street in Center City, but did you know the first Ginkgo trees were introduced to the United States by The Woodlands’ own William Hamilton?
In 1785, Hamilton sent three trees to The Woodlands, planting two in his own garden and gifting the third to his friend down river, William Bartram. The original trees planted at The Woodlands are no longer alive, but the tradition continues with over 20 ginkgos in varying sizes spread throughout the grounds. You can still find the original gifted ginkgo at Batram’s Garden today - it’s one of the oldest in the country.
The vibrant saffron color of the foliage only lasted briefly this year. When we visited the trees on the morning of November 13th, all the leaves had fallen overnight. Ginkgo trees loose all their leaves at once when a cold frost hits, unlike other trees who lose their leaves over the course of a few days or weeks. With over 1,000 trees onsite, you can visit The Woodlands in the next few weeks to see the other trees hitting their peak fall foliage.
Photo taken on Tuesday, November 12th.
Written by:
Julia Griffith and Emma Max
Photo taken on Wednesday, November 13th.
I find migration to be one of the most exciting and inspiring phenomena in the avian world. Many birds visit more places over the course of one year's migration than I might go to in my lifetime! Take the Grey-cheeked Thrush for example: they nest in Alaska and northern Canada, fly across the eastern U.S., then winter in northern South America. So, they are flying from taiga near the arctic circle to tropical forest each year! Not only that, but they stop over in the largest of cities, like New York, Philly, and Baltimore, so they also experience both the most rugged landscapes and urban skyscrapers.
Gray Catbird at The Woodlands, photo by Toribird.
The Gray Catbirds that hop around - or maybe even breed - in your bushes in the summer likely make it to southern Mexico, Belize, or Guatemala to spend the winter, though some only go down to Florida. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also winter in Central America, and they usually fly hundreds of miles across the Gulf of Mexico to get there!
Chimney Swifts going to roost in a chimney in Manayunk, photo by Toribird.
Speaking of flying south, Chimney Swifts will soon be gone from this area. They're one of my favorites, and I always miss them when they leave. Swifts are still here for now, though, and there have been a ton of them at The Woodlands recently! They usually come around in the afternoon; to pick out swifts, think thin - thin, tube-like body, with long, thin wings. I hope you get a chance to see these agile birds before they leave!
Migration, unfortunately, is laden with dangers for the tiny travelers, many of them human-caused, as recent articles have made all too clear. Foremost among these threats is collision with glass. When birds that breed in rural places pass through populated areas on migration, they experience glass for the first time. Sadly, they have no way of understanding that it is a physical barrier, or that they cannot reach the habitat reflected in it, and they collide and almost always die. And it's not only skyscrapers that kill birds, but also individual homes. Simply put, if there is a window, it is dangerous for birds.
However, there are things that can be done to help prevent birds from flying into windows. Many products are available that make glass more perceivable for birds. My personal favorite is hanging paracord 2 inches apart just outside the window. I recommend visiting this American Birding Association website for more simple solutions (scroll down to 'Homeowner Products').
An example of the paracord solution, photo by Toribird.
Also, many of our favorite summer birds such as orioles, thrushes, and warblers are neotropical migrants (Birds that migrate each year between the American tropics and higher latitudes, especially in North America) that need forested areas for habitat. However, coffee plants grow well in the same places that birds use, and countless acres of forest have been cleared for sun coffee plantations that provide few resources for birds. Thankfully, you can purchase bird-friendly shade-grown coffee, which is grown, as the name implies, under the shade of trees that provide a home for birds and other animals. Many people say that shade-grown coffee actually tastes better, and the adults in my family can vouch for that! So, click on this link to purchase coffee that will let you enjoy a delicious beverage and save birds, all at once!
Written by: Toribird
P.S. Learn more about birding at The Woodlands with me at Halloween Family Fun Day on Sunday, October 20th! I’ll have a table set up and will be leading a bird walk at 2:00PM. See you there!
We’re kicking off the Halloween season with a screening of Frank Kapra’s 1944 film, “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Friday, October 4th at sundown. As lead characters Abbey and Martha Brewster lure poor bachelors to their death by slipping arsenic and other toxins into cups of elderberry wine, we are reminded of the prominent correlation between arsenic and old cemeteries. Throughout the 19th century the chemical was heavily used in the embalming process for dead bodies. Although the poisonous effects of arsenic are now common knowledge, its popularity during the 19th century is linked to current public health concerns surrounding historic cemeteries.
Arsenic became a popular ingredient in embalming fluid during the United States Civil War as it was realized that embalming with chemical fluid (as opposed to putting bodies over ice) allowed the bodies of fallen soldiers to be sent back to their loved ones without decaying. Embalming fluid could be used for immersion or be injected into veins. Recipes for embalming fluid varied and the amount of arsenic used per body ranged from a few ounces to as much as 12 pounds.[i] Morticians guarded their formula but common recipes were found in trade books of the period such as “The Era Formulary.” These books listed a variety of formulas, some of which included arsenic and some that did not. Subsequently the book lists short instructions for how to mix and administer the fluid.
As successful as the preservative was, health problems associated with arsenic were quickly realized. By the turn of the 20th century large numbers of embalmers had been poisoned or killed by the toxicity of arsenic and it was quickly banned from mortuary use. Today, arsenic is “a carcinogen that’s associated with skin, lung, bladder and liver cancers.”[ii] Scientists have also come to realize that while bodies decompose, the arsenic in the embalming fluid does not. It was discovered that as decaying bodies are exposed to water some of the arsenic from the embalming fluid will leach from the body and escape into the soil[iii], potentially contaminating ground water supplies especially in rural areas where water is sourced from a well. This problem is prevalent in Civil War era cemeteries because of the large volume of bodies that were embalmed with arsenic at the time.
A study on a Civil War era cemetery by Hamilton College in Clinton, New York showed arsenic levels in the down-gradient of ground water and found trace amounts of arsenic, but none in the surface level groundwater implying that the arsenic may have come from the bodies in the cemetery.[iv] At The Woodlands a study conducted by a researcher working with the University of Pennsylvania tested the grounds for lead as part of a greater initiative in the city of Philadelphia. Inadvertently, the testing revealed that there were some trace amounts of arsenic in a few of the soil samples taken along the running trail that circumscribes the cemetery. This should be of no surprise as The Woodlands was founded in 1840, just before the civil war, and is the resting place for thousands of people buried before the turn of the 20th century. The test results are evidence of The Woodland’s civil war era existence and should not cause any alarm to the public who occupy the space daily. The Woodlands has also tapped trees for sap and upon testing it found no traces of arsenic.
Beyond use of embalming, arsenic was also prevalent in the 19th century architecture scene. Green paints used as the finish on the windows and shutters of many 19th century houses were colored with arsenic which served as a bug repellent for living spaces. Sickness caused by the pealing arsenic paint corresponded to the rise in public awareness of lead toxicity and other public health risks associated with paint in general such as lead toxicity. Green window shutters are seen as a trend within historic architecture that still manifests on many homes today. However, many aren’t aware of the origin of the trend, its’ practical application and related health risks.
The use of arsenic in embalming fluid also made it difficult for officials to solve certain murder cases. After a body was embalmed with arsenic based fluid it was almost impossible to know whether or not someone had been killed by arsenic poisoning[v] as opposed to natural causes. Maybe Abbey and Martha were on to something, had they been up to their tricks a century earlier their operation would have been fool proof!
Contemporary embalming fluids primarily use formaldehyde. The strong chemical scent of which many of us may associate with the frog we had to dissect in middle school. Studies show that formaldehyde is also a carcinogen but many funeral directors continue to use the substance to maintain their reputations and excellent embalming services.[vi] Pushes have been made to market embalming formulas that do not include formaldehyde but the consensus seems to be that nothing works as well. Although funeral homes have improved ventilation systems and increased protective gear needed for the embalming process, health risks still remain.
Despite the toxicity involved with the embalming process historically and currently, its lasting popularity is a testament to the importance many people place on preserving the dead. The preservation of the human body is an ancient practice most famously associated with mummification in the Egyptian Empire, and is still a tradition that is applied in contemporary funerary customs. Many religions use open casket ceremonies in the practice of their beliefs, which requires that the body be as intact as possible for mourners to come and pay their respects. The treatment of the dead through the plethora of spiritual practices is a blog post for another time, but it’s a prominent reason for the lasting legacy and continued need for embalming fluids.
Written by: Kathie Brill
[i] Bloudoff-Indelicato, Mollie. “Arsenic and Old Graves: Civil War-Era Cemeteries May Be Leaking Toxins.” Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian Institution, October 30, 2015. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/arsenic-and-old-graves-civil-war-era-cemeteries-may-be-leaking-toxins-180957115/#8voveVgMoBDFIZT8.99.
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ogden Publications, Inc. “Arsenic Contamination in Graveyards: How the Dead Are Hurting the Environment - Environment - Utne Reader.” Utne. Accessed September 27, 2019. https://www.utne.com/environment/arsenic-contamination-ze0z1306zpit.
[iv] Ibid.
[v] Ibid.
[vi] Martin, Andrew. “Despite Risk, Embalmers Still Embrace Preservative.” The New York Times. The New York Times, July 20, 2011. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/21/business/despite-cancer-risk-embalmers-stay-with-formaldehyde.html.
Happy International Vulture Awareness Day!! Yes, vultures (the awesome birds they are) have an awareness day; it's the first Saturday in September every year. In honor of this day, here's a blog all about the silky scavengers! (Since vultures are one of my favorite birds, I quite enjoyed this particular post!)
Now, I know vultures are not the most popular animal, but they are truly fascinating birds that puke on their enemies and fly using energy from the sun! Interested? Read on!
Black Vulture, photo by Toribird
One reason why vultures are disliked probably has to do with their featherless, wrinkled faces. Which brings us to the question, why do they have bald heads anyway? Well, like so many other things in nature, it's an adaptation that helps them survive. Since vultures are scavengers that eat dead animals, their heads would constantly be covered in gross things if they had feathers for it to get stuck in. So, having unattractive heads is actually what keeps the birds clean and healthy!
Because vultures eat things that are already dead, they very rarely kill, so they don't have many natural weapons the way hawks and other predatory birds do. But don't be fooled - vultures have their own way of protecting themselves: vomit! They have very powerful stomach acid, and vomit is inherently gross, so it does a great job of discouraging anything that might bother a vulture. Also, barfing lightens the bird, making it easier for them to take off and make a quick getaway - isn't that clever?
If you watch a vulture fly, you may notice that it doesn't flap much, especially compared to birds like ducks or sparrows. Many larger birds frequently take advantage of rising columns of sun-warmed air called thermals. Though the air is of course invisible, you can spot a thermal by spotting for the birds circling and rising in it. Thermals make it easy for vultures to get up high - without the birds having to do much work - which is important because they need to cover a lot of ground as their food could be anywhere.
I'm hoping that you want to see a vulture now, and I'm happy to say that they are easy to spot in Philly! We have two species, the Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture. Of the two, Turkeys might be more common. Both species can be seen flying overhead and circling in thermals. They're not really tied to any particular habitat, so keep an eye to the sky anytime you're outside, or look for them perched on water towers or antennas. Any large, dark birds you see could be vultures. Keeping an eye out as you drive on the highway might actually be the best way to see them!
The two species are a bit similar, but can usually be ID'd without much trouble. They are an excellent challenge for new birders! Let's have a look at how to tell them apart:
Black Vulture:
Black overall, grey head
Broad wings with silver-white tips
Does not rock, frequent snappy wingbeats
Shorter tail
Turkey Vulture:
Dark brown overall, red head
Long, two-toned wings
Rocks back and forth in flight, floppy wingbeats
Long tail
Turkey Vulture, photo by Toribird
Black Vulture, photo by Toribird
Happy Vulture Day!
- Toribird
