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 […]
Read more about Syrup Season »
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 […]
Read more about On my way down the driveway… »
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, […]
Read more about Winter Finch Forecast »
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 […]
Read more about It’s a Trap! »
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 […]
Read more about A Bird in the Pond is Worth Two in the Bush »
My First Day…
Posted September 6, 2016
Greetings to students and teachers! Today will be my first day as Outdoor Education Instructor at Blair OEE Centre. I should first and foremost say a huge thanks to Peter Rasberry for his many years of leadership in the field of Outdoor Education. Waterloo Region students have been privileged to connect with the natural world […]
