Bohemian Waxwings and Snow Buntings visit from the north, a lesson to understand the new moon while marcescence leaves whisper the promise of spring and lichen bloom.
January 20, 2013 Weekly Nature News
January 20, 2013 By
Highlight of the week was in Woodland Dma&g Map 64 – when Harry McCarthy observed 4 lynx in his yard. Lynx sightings are increasing due to a healthy population in Northern Maine and these handsome wild cats are not as shy as their smaller cousins, the Bobcat found elsewhere throughout the state. Read more here…. […]
Quoddy Nature Notes – Ferns
June 21, 2012 By
Ferns Ferns are not high on my study list. I don’t know why. Ferns have been around for a few hundred million years and have been tromped on and eaten by dinosaurs and everything since then, but somehow they just do their thing and don’t generate any enthusiasm from wannabe writers like me. The […]
Quoddy Nature Notes – Dandelions
May 23, 2012 By
The subject of any of my columns is whatever comes to mind or inspired by whatever I see or otherwise sense. After this inspiration I usually consult my own books and search web pages to insure the correct scientific name and any unusual characteristics, etc., then begin writing. Certainly dandelions (probably from the French dent-de-lion […]
Wild Strawberries – Topsfield (Map 45)
April 28, 2012 By
Wild strawberries were blossoming on April 26. This area of the woods often still has snow banks along the side of the road in late April.
Skowhegan (Map 21)
October 30, 2011 By
I am sending a photo of a mushroom I saw this morning. I have seen it once or twice in the past. The color is so unusual…..Also saw a large flock of crows—–maybe 75 or 100—while I was out. They were calling loudly to let me know of their passing. Perhaps they are telling us […]
Jewel Weed
September 9, 2011 By
Jewel weed disperses its seeds by releasing them from their pods in a spring-like action. When a pod is ready to open, a slight touch will pop the pod, sending the seeds several feet.
Quoddy Nature Notes – Dogbane
September 7, 2011 By
Dogbane by Fred Gralenski We have two types of Dogbane here in the Quoddy region; Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) and Indian Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabium). Both are very widespread, and can be found over most of the US and Canada. It is a little difficult to tell them apart, especially since they are closely enough […]
Mushrooms and Pests – Skowhegan (Map 3)
September 6, 2011 By
All the rain and high humidity are producing lots of mushrooms in new places. This clump appeared yesterday right next to a huge oak stump. They look a lot like the edible field mushrooms but I can’t be sure. Any ideas? (Please send them to the reports email address.) Today I looked at my tomato […]
