Ephemeral by Nature: Exploring the Exceptional with a Tennessee Naturalist

by Stephen Lyn Bales

In this captivating collection of twelve essays, a testament to a lifetime’s fascination with the outdoors and its myriad wonders, naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales examines a variety of flora and fauna that in one way or another can be described as “ephemeral”—that is, fleeting, short-lived, or transient. Focusing on his native East Tennessee, Bales introduces us to several oddities, including the ghost plant, a wispy vascular plant that resembles a rooster’s tail and grows mainly in areas devoid of sunlight; the Appalachian panda, an ancestor of today’s red panda that wandered the region millions of years ago and whose fossil remains have only recently been discovered; and the freshwater jellyfish, a tiny organism that is virtually invisible except for those hot summer days when clusters of them bloom into shimmering “medusae,” sometimes by the thousands. Other essays consider such topics as the plight of the monarch butterfly, a gorgeous insect whose populations have dropped by 90 percent in only the last two decades; the reintroduction of the lake sturgeon, one of nature’s most primitive and seldom-seen fish, into the waters of the Tennessee Valley; and the surprising emergence of coyote-wolf and coyote-dog hybrids in the eastern states. Written with insight, humor, and heart,  Ephemeral by Nature  is as entertaining as it is instructive. Along with a wealth of biological details—and his own handsome pen-and-ink drawings—Bales fills the book with delightful anecdotes of field trips, species-protection efforts, and those thrilling occasions when some elusive member of the natural order shows itself to us, if only for a brief moment. Stephen Lyn Bales , senior naturalist at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, is the author of  Natural Stories from the Tennessee Valley  and  Ghost Birds : Jim Tanner and the Quest for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, 1935–1941, both published by the University of Tennessee Press.

Genres: Nonfiction

219 pages, Paperback

Published September 29, 2017

About the author

Stephen Lyn reads and writes (and occasionally does arithmetic) tucked away in the Tennessee Valley near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Most of the time he does it barefooted.

Reviews

[Charlie]

Full disclosure: I have become close friends with the author who I met at a book signing for "Natural Histories." I admired his writing first, and the friendship followed. So, I am biased, but this book is awesome as well. If you don't believe it, and you love nature, I challenge to get it, read it, and tell me if I am wrong. Lyn is a gifted writer and raconteur. As you read his books, you are hearing his authentic voice. This book not only has factual lessons on nature, it also wraps around the more philosophical idea of how fleeting life is and how beautiful the impermanence can be. Take a virtual walk through the woods with Mr. Bales.

[Laura]

I started by sticking large post-its to the front of the book for my notes. Then, the top corners of pages were folded down. Then, I said to hell with it and took out my pencil and started underlining passages and writing in the margins. There's so much here to enjoy and remember! The book is the marriage of science, history, natural history and pop culture. Each chapter is like a conversation with the author - it bounces all over the place, you learn a lot and love the ride.

[Arthur Stewart]

This is a remarkable book and a must-have for every nature-lover. It is exceedingly well-written, and is wonderfully layered with details and not-widely-known facts about twelve little-known creatures in East Tennessee. Each chapter focuses on one of the twelve species chosen. And while each chapter has a clear focus, each chapter also offers amazing amounts of tangential but important and very relevant information above and beyond the creature alone. That’s the beautiful part, the context, the weaving. For example, in the chapter on Appalachian Pandas, the reader learns, too, about the Gray Fossil Site, the Knoxville Zoo’s Red Panda program, and Friedrich Nietzsche’s thoughts on “eternal recurrence.” I’ve never seen the Gray Fossil Site so well described and explained before, and in just four pages. In the chapter on Lake Sturgeon, the reader learns about this ancient 9-foot long, bottom-dwelling fish’s reintroduction into tributaries and reservoirs of the Tennessee and Cumberland River systems—and also about a small grave for a young lake surgeon, prepared by fifth-grade students at Gap Creek School, in southeast Knox County, Tennessee. Chapter after chapter, I learned about things I’ve never seen or heard about before: freshwater jellyfish; Coy-Wolf-Dogs, the Cerulean Warbler, the Southern Pine Beetle, and Short-eared Owls...now, I’ll be watching for them. Ephemeral by Nature is the best natural history book I’ve ever read: five stars, for sure.

[Megan]

Did you know that "an owl could read the the bottom line of an optometrist's eye chart across a basketball court in very low light" or that male ruby-throated hummingbirds are terrible fathers? "Ephemeral by Nature" by celebrated Tennessee Naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales is a wildly entertaining read written in a conversational style that makes you feel like you're chatting with a (very knowledgeable) old friend. Grab your highlighter and a pen - you'll want to take notes on the fascinating tidbits in this book. Whether it be on a hike with friends or around a water cooler at the office, you'll come away with knowledge you'll be excited to share with others. Every chapter reminds you that nature is truly wondrous, leaving you eager to head outside and explore. After turning the last page, I was ready to pick it up and start all over.

[Cindy]

I haven't read all the chapters yet -- I dabble about, according to the topic and my mood. But I love hearing the author's voice, sometimes exuberant, sometimes thoughtful, and learning. My favorite chapter is "Ghost Plant," about the white Indian pipe I'm always delighted to find in the Smokies.

"I am often asked what is its purpose, as though everything living should make a contribution to humanity, the egocentric center of our world. . . . Our species isn't the most important; it's just the most self-centered."

Bales has many talents: his wide-ranging knowledge, energetic writing, and beautiful drawings.

[Victoria Winifred]

In his extraordinary work, "Ephemeral by Nature," Stephen Lyn Bales unveils a literary masterpiece that defies the conventions of traditional non-fiction. Blending the artistry of a poet, the wisdom of a philosopher, and the skill of a prolific writer and expert naturalist, Bales crafts a mesmerizing narrative that transcends the boundaries of typical nature literature. His distinctive voice guides readers through each chapter, transforming the exploration of various species into an enchanting journey filled with captivating personal anecdotes.

From beetles to canines, butterflies to birds (and more), Bales introduces a diverse array of creatures to deeply appreciate, as well as real-life human characters reminiscent of those found in well-crafted novels. Through his meticulous storytelling, he not only sparks interest but also fosters a profound appreciation for the natural world. The book unfolds as a detailed revelation, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the magical realms of nature, all while being gently guided by a caring narrator.

Bales, an exceptional historian, Tennessee naturalist, and senior naturalist at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, reveals his multifaceted talents in every carefully chosen word. The pages are adorned with beautiful descriptions and drawings by the author that enrich the reading experience, yet never stray from the personal touch that forges a powerful connection between reader and author.

This literary gem, destined for every nature lover's library, transcends its role as a mere book. It beckons to be placed next to one's favorite chair, a constant invitation to delve into its pages and immerse oneself in the exquisite wonders of the natural world. Bales not only expands our understanding but also ignites a newfound sense of care and appreciation for the delicate balance of life around us.

From the touching dedication to the moving conclusion, Bales skillfully captures the reader's heart, evoking the wonder of a child with unparalleled finesse. Through his narrative, he becomes a mentor, leading readers to a deeper understanding of ephemeral creatures and fostering a unique connection between the audience and these often-overlooked wonders. "Ephemeral by Nature" is more than a book; it is an invitation to rediscover the joy and honor of our connection to the intricate tapestry of the natural world.

[David Ward]

Ephemeral By Nature: Exploring the Exceptional With a Tennessee Naturalist by Stephen Lyn Bales (University Press of Tennessee-Knoxville 2017) (508.75). Author Stephen Lyn Bales, the naturalist referenced in the title, is the real deal. He's a fine storyteller, and the essays he has penned in this new volume range from interesting to stunning. He writes about the flora or fauna that most interest him locally in our Southern Appalachian mountains. The best of this collection is his selection on the monarch butterfly; these beautiful but delicate creatures weigh half as much as a dollar bill yet manage to survive a 3,500 mile trip from the United States and southern Canada to their wintering grounds in one of five locations in Mexico. But they don't fly down for the sunny climate. When they make it to Mexico, these tiny insects roost en masse in the mountains at elevations between 9,000 and 11,000 feet. The author's essays on the Lake Sturgeon and the Coy-Wolf-Dog were fascinating, and along with the chapters on ruby-throated hummingbirds, freshwater jellyfish, and whooping cranes, are the gems of this collection. This is captivating reading. All armchair naturalists will find something to like here. My rating: 7.5/10, finished 8/4/18.

[Rhonda]

A very well-written book! So much knowledge to convey and Mr. Bales does it very well! I would find myself laughing out loud at some of the comments he would make to drive home a point…or just to be comical, perhaps. I’ve always heard when you are presenting information to your audience, they tend to remember best after you have made them laugh. I enjoyed this book immensely and learned a lot in the process. Highly recommend!

[Kevin Parsons]

My father would have loved this book. I loved it myself, it is a thoughtful and appealing collection of nature essays about a wide variety of topics, tied together by the ephemeral nature of life.