The Lost World

Posted September 4, 2014

On Labour Day weekend, the family and I went to Kingston, and took the ferry over to Wolfe Island. We took a hike through the Sandy Bay Management Area, a natural area with a long beach. During the hike, we encountered some oversized flora. The first picture is an oak tree. The second picture is […]

First Day of Summer…

Posted June 24, 2014

Saturday, June 21, was the first day of summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere.  I spent the weekend on the Bruce Peninsula, poking around in the fields and along the shoreline for things of interest – I wasn’t disappointed.  One of the highlights was spotting a fisher sprinting across the road – […]

Wildflower First…

Posted June 1, 2014

I was pretty excited to see my first ever Calypso orchids on the Bruce Peninsula this weekend.  This is kind of a bucket list/holy grail species for a lot of naturalists – it is quite rare and grows in only a very few places on the Peninsula.  Most are on Flowerpot Island, but there are […]

Turkeys – They’re Wild!

Posted May 30, 2014

We had a wild turkey lying out in the grass at Laurel Creek this week. It seemed unhealthy… A bird rehablilitator told me that if I could catch it, she would monitor the bird’s health. “O.K.,” I said. So far so good… Almost got it! Still runs pretty good! Good luck out there Gobbly.

Baby snapper

Posted May 30, 2014

Had a baby snapping turtle at Laurel Creek this week.

When’s the last time you saw one of these?

Posted May 20, 2014

If you’re a Point Pelee birder, you cruise the Carolinian Forest or roam the Rideau Lakelands, you may have numerous sightings of the scarlet tanager to your credit.  That’s where the Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario says you’re most likely to spot this black-winged, blood-red bird.  For many of us, though, this is […]

Horse Leech

Posted May 19, 2014

Drynan Lake, Horse Leech. This spring we have been using a variety of local ponds with our Grade 9 aquatic ecology unit (Pond Study), some surprising things have been found like this 7 inch (at rest) long Horse Leech. For those that know me, I am kinda obsessed with leeches. Here is another picture taken […]

Backyard Bird Nest

Posted May 15, 2014

A few weeks ago we noticed a black-capped chickadee digging away at a deck post in our backyard.  Chickadees are cavity nesters and typically have a need to do their own excavating.  I’d never seen a chickadee go vertical, but Levi Moore at our Wrigley Corners OEE Centre – our chickadee expert –  says it’s […]

3-Legged Toad

Posted May 15, 2014

We’re students from Elmira District Secondary School doing a pond study, when we came across a 3-Legged Toad. After long talk, we decided to name him Elliott after our inspiring and motivational teacher. Overall, we had a productive and fun-filled day.

Spring Forest

Posted May 6, 2014

The leeks push first Between patches of snow Then trout lilies, trilliums Violets grow Urged upward, pushed skyward By the power of spring Shoved toward the heavens Like geese on the wing The plants all emerge Like the ground’s giving birth Push! Push! Old Mother Earth Push ‘til the branches Are covered in leaves Push […]

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