Bumble Beehaviour

Posted March 13, 2017

There was an interesting experiment in the news recently, where researchers taught bumblebees how to get a treat (sugar water) by rolling a marble into the centre of a circle. Bees were able to do the task just by watching another bee do it first.

Read more about Bumble Beehaviour »

Syrup Season

Posted March 8, 2017

I’m thrilled that it is maple syrup season.  This will be the first week I am working with Al at Camp Heidelberg Environmental Education Centre.  Today was a great day for making syrup.  Warm daytime temperatures after a period of sub-freezing nights, means the sap is flowing!  Our first batch of syrup came off yesterday, March […]

High Water

Posted January 13, 2017

I went down to the bridge at Blair Creek to check out the water level yesterday.  We have had heavy rain overnight two nights in a row.  All this rain caused a significant snowmelt, adding to the pressure on streams and rivers.  As water levels rose, the Grand River Conservation Authority issued a flood watch. […]

Diving beetle larva

Posted November 10, 2016

Here is a picture of a diving beetle larva taken with some kind of electron microscope scanner. Eye of Science / Science Photo Library / Getty Images More up-close photos from Cosmos Magazine here: https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/micro-monsters-up-close-and-personal?platform=hootsuite Regular-looking photograph of diving beetle larvae here: https://outdooredguys.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/tigers-of-the-pond/

On my way down the driveway…

Posted October 28, 2016

I am fortunate to work at such a beautiful place that offers so much inspiration to students, teachers, parents, and yours truely.  The short drive down the laneway is picturesque each day, but each year there are a handful of days that I feel the need to stop at the top and take a photo […]

Northern Reflections

Posted October 14, 2016

An autumn dip in the pond

Posted October 11, 2016

Winter Finch Forecast

Posted September 22, 2016

Each year there are a few species of northern finches that begin to make flights south in search of food. These movements are called irruptions. If you are a birdwatcher, these irruptions can be a time to see species that might only be observed every 3-5 years, or longer. For the casual interest in birds, […]

It’s a Trap!

Posted September 19, 2016

Today was day 1 of a citizen science project from the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario based at the University of Guelph.  The School Malaise Trap Program (SMTP) gives the opportunity for schools and nature centres to gather data on the arthropod diversity in their area.  Laurel Creek and Camp Heidelberg are also using Malaise Traps to […]

A Bird in the Pond is Worth Two in the Bush

Posted September 13, 2016

Fellow Outdooredguy, Nathan, came to the centre to pick something up today. A quick introduction to the property yielded a Double-Crested Cormorant in the pond!! Usually a bird of larger water bodies, it looked right at home. We could see it as it swam beneath the surface and even watched it catch and eat a […]

1 2 3 4 … 38