Q&A with Dan Shepardson, Author of “A Place Called Turkey Run”

September 15th, 2016

Dan Shepardson is a Geoenvironmental and Science Education professor at Purdue University. He has over 80 journal publications and his photography has been featured in national magazines, regional publications, local newsletters and is on permanent display at the Lilly Nature Center. His work is also part of the Photos for Health series on display in area hospitals. In his newest work, A Place Called Turkey Run, Dan combines his passion for photography, nature and the environment.

A Place Called Turkey Run: A Celebration of Indiana’s Second State Park in Photographs and Words  is an Official Endorsed Legacy Project by Indiana’s Bicentennial Commission.  The books captures the park’s striking scenery in hundreds of full-color photos. It takes readers on a vivid journey through the beloved state park during its hundredth anniversary. Learn Shepardson’s motivation and inspiration for the book in our Q&A below.

What inspired your love of nature and photography?

My love of nature and photography may be traced back to my parents. As a kid we would spend time hiking, camping, and fishing and so my parents introduced me and my sister to the natural world. They also bought me a 120 Instamatic camera that I used to take photographs of nature. But it was probably our first family trip to Yellowstone National Park that instilled in me a lifelong interest in nature and nature photography.

What made you want to photograph Turkey Run?

Turkey Run is an amazing state park. Its bluffs and canyons are unique for this part of the country and so it offers the nature photographer and hiker opportunities to see and photograph nature that do not exist in the area.

Why did you decide to create this book? Why did you decide to create it now?

Over the years Turkey Run has provided me with many enjoyable experiences hiking and photographing nature. In 2014 I realized that 2016 was the 100th anniversary of Turkey Run as a state park. I wanted to give something back to the park for all of the experiences it had provided, and I wanted to celebrate its natural history. So I decided to create a photograph and natural history book to honor and celebrate the beauty that is Turkey Run.

How did you decide what to photograph?

Over the years I tried to photograph the more interesting and unique features that make up the geology and ecology (natural history) of Turkey Run. So in a sense, Turkey Run’s scenery determined what I would photograph. Other times I would take trips, hikes, to photograph specific situations or events, such as the Virginia Bluebells in spring and freshly fallen snow in winter.

The book is divided into 6 sections; how did you choose this breakdown?

After randomly looking at several of my thousands of photographs of the park and thinking about my park experiences I quickly identified the six chapters that I felt captured my experiences and the natural history (geology and ecology) of Turkey Run: Sandstone, Bluffs and Canyons, Flowing Water, Snow and Ice, Tall Trees, Flowers, Ferns and Fungi. 

Do you have a favorite photo?

I have several. It is difficult to select just one.  I like the Chapter 6 cover photo of the trilliums and the photo of the mayapple on page 170.  The fogged lens photo of flowing water on page 62. The photo on page 4 contrasts the living and nonliving and the crossbed deposition to today’s sand deposition in the creek below. Just to identify a few.

Is there anything that shocked or surprised you while working on this project?

No, not really. But it is always wonderful to see the spring bloom of wildflowers, the colors of fall, and the snow and ice of winter. I am always astounded by this amazing display of nature. It is always thrilling to see bald eagles soar over Sugar Creek or turkey vultures roosting in tree tops.

What did you learn from this experience?

I guess, what I learned is that Turkey Run is an even more amazing place then I initially realized. The more I experienced and photographed the park over the years the more I came to know and appreciate the natural heritage and beauty that is preserved and protected in the park. Unfortunately, I also learned that people litter. I was stunned by the number of plastic water bottles that are thrown along the side of the trail. It shows no respect for the natural world. It also impairs the experience of other hikers.

Photographing Turkey Run

Enjoy more of Shepardson’s photos as A Place Called Turkey Run becomes available this month. See the beauty of the park up close and personal. Discover Dan’s tips and techniques in the companion book Photographing Turkey Run: A Guide to Nature Photography.  It is designed to provide a basic understanding of how to take pictures of nature and improve one’s photographs.

Purdue Libraries announces 2016 Parrish Library Case Competition

September 12th, 2016

WHAT IS THE PARRISH CASE COMPETITION?

In order to bring more attention to business information literacy inside and outside of Krannert, the Parrish Library is hosting its third annual case competition for undergraduates. This case competition will be marketing and strategy focused and includes students from Purdue University, University of Notre Dame, Indiana University and new this year, Butler University.

First place $500 Second place $300 Third place $100

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Registration will be open after September 14.

WHO CAN DO THE PARRISH CASE COMPETITION?

This case competition is open to all undergraduate students regardless of major. The teams should be 4-5 students. At Purdue, at least one student should have taken MGMT 175, GS 175 or MGMT 190. For Butler, Notre Dame and IU, please check your local requirements. Two of the students need to be freshmen or sophomore level (doesn’t have to be the same as MGMT 175 participant). This case competition is intended to be a “lower division” case competition.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE PARRISH LIBRARY CASE COMPETITION?

Callouts: Monday October 3, 6pm Kran 250

Wednesday October 12, 6pm Kran 250

Tuesday October 18, 6pm Kran 250 Teams Formation Deadline and Case Presentation: Wednesday, October 19^th. First Round Executive Summaries Due: October 26th (Submitted online)

Final Round Announced: Tuesday Nov. 1 Final Presentations: Saturday, November 5, 1pm-5pm, Open to Public (Burton Morgan 121)

Parrish Library Database of the Week – IBISWorld Procurement Reports

September 12th, 2016

Welcome to Database of the Week, a feature from the Parrish Library. Each of these weekly snapshots will give you a very brief introduction to the basic features of one of our specialized subscription databases. This week’s database is IBISWorld, specifically Procurement Reports, brought to you by IBISWorld Inc.

Link: http://guides.lib.purdue.edu/businessdatabases is the alphabetical list of the databases specially selected for those in a business program of study. Access the databases off-campus with your Purdue login and password.

Focus: IBISWorld is an industry research database, meaning that it has information about collections of companies who compete for the same consumer. Information is provided on over 700 US Industries in the US economy in reports at the granular level covering industry-specific titles from the popular to the not so popular.

Search: First time users are encouraged to scroll through all reports or use the search bar to search the reports. 

Click here to see the basics of searching IBISWorld Procurement Reports or try our Guide on the Side with this link. 

Why you should know this database: IBISWorld Procurement Reports is a recent addition to our library collection. This is a collection of over 900 reports on indirect purchasing lines and products. These reports cover many different markets ranging from “fire doors” and “data mining services” to “explosives” and “language schooling.”

Why students should know this database: IBISWorld Procurement Reports show information on pricing environments, including key trends and forecasts, product characteristics, supply chain vendors, and purchasing process. The information included in these reports are useful to procurement offices, entrepreneurs, and anyone working with products or a client. 

Cost: IBISWorld costs $18,709 paid annually by Purdue Libraries, IBISWorld Procurement Reports costs an additional $4,950 annually.

Database of the Week comes to you from the Roland G. Parrish Library of Management & Economics. If you would like more information about this database, or if you would like a demonstration of it for a class, contact parrlib@purdue.edu. Also let us know if you know of a colleague who would benefit from this weekly feature.

Since usage statistics are an important barometer when databases are up for renewal, tell us your favorite database, and we will gladly promote it. Send an email to parrlib@purdue.edu.

Parrish Library Database of the Week: IBISWorld (Industry Reports)

September 2nd, 2016

Welcome to Database of the Week, a feature from the Parrish Library. Each of these weekly snapshots will give you a very brief introduction to the basic features of one of our specialized subscription databases. This week’s database is IBISWorld, specifically Industry Reports, brought to you by IBISWorld Inc.  

Link: http://guides.lib.purdue.edu/businessdatabases is the alphabetical list of the databases specially selected for those in a business program of study. Access the databases off-campus with your Purdue login and password. Focus: IBISWorld is an industry research database, meaning that it has information about collections of companies who compete for the same consumer. Information is provided on over 700 US Industries in the US economy in reports at the granular level covering industry-specific titles from the popular to the not so popular.

Search: Search IBISWorld Industry Reports by keyword, company, code, or browse report listings. 

Click here to see the basics of searching IBISWorld Industry Reports or try our Guide on the Side with this link.

Why you should know this database: IBISWorld Industry Reports include information such as industry definitions, supply chain, major players, performance, outlook, products and markets, major companies, and key statistics. Each Industry Report is 35-50 pages in length with abridged, 6-page Executive Summaries.

Why students should know this database: IBISWorld Industry Reports also include Additional Resources, Industry Jargon, and Glossary sections which can be useful for students new to researching industries. IBISWorld has also created extensive video tutorials for users looking for in-depth knowledge on how to use some of the elements provided in these reports.

Cost: IBISWorld costs $18,709 paid annually by Purdue Libraries. 

Database of the Week comes to you from the Roland G. Parrish Library of Management & Economics. If you would like more information about this database, or if you would like a demonstration of it for a class, contact parrlib@purdue.edu. Also let us know if you know of a colleague who would benefit from this weekly feature.

Since usage statistics are an important barometer when databases are up for renewal, tell us your favorite database, and we will gladly promote it. Send an email to parrlib@purdue.edu.

Patent Basics: What Every Inventor Should Know – Thursday, Sept. 15

September 2nd, 2016