We’re having a heat wave.
As the insect population explodes with increased heat and humidity, spider webs become fascinating objects for study. The following project is intended for spider webs that are no longer in use.
Here’s what was on my mind this past week while (mostly) immersed in nature.
The last two weeks have been prime time for birds and birders.
Every species that nests and breeds is here and “on territory” and the last of the migrants have been passing through.
I’ve discovered that bird identification becomes easier with ready access to one or more identification keys. I’ve been testing my portable birding tools and my newly discovered wild plant playing card deck.
Stropharia rugosoannulata Photos: Pleuteus petasatus photos:
I gathered the cattails from a reservoir, but my test nibbles made my tongue tingle.
Even when I know the plant and the environment, I still test every wild edible I gather.
I took advantage of a break in the rainy streak to step into the primordial ooze.
Cattail (Typha latifolia) shoots are one of my favorite wild edibles and it’s worth slogging through mud to harvest them.
Mae Barnes Jillson died on Mother’s Day 2001 at the age of 96. If I had to describe her in one word, it would be: Dignity.
She began her teaching career in 1919, worrying that her little charges might run into the road, where if a car backfired and a horse reared, the child would be in danger.
By the time she finally allowed herself to retire, computers replaced pencils in most first grade classrooms.
In the United States we’re used to full shelves, so I was surprised when I ran into my local grocery store for a head of lettuce, to see literally bare shelves. The produce manager said a delivery had not arrived. I’m not sure why, but without much hesitation, my mind shifted to steamed nettles and wild edible salad.
Water follows shelter in the sacred order of wilderness survival.
This is the main reason I carry plastic bags and a cotton bandana as part of my pocket survival kit. Follow these two techniques – solar tree still and dew wiping – to get drinkable water in any location with nonpoisonous vegetation.
Ironically, one of my early New York City discoveries in the early 1980′s was naturalist and forager Wildman Steve Brill. He not only identifies the plant, but has an extensive knowledge of the nutrients, and any number of inventive recipes.
After a long absence from the area, I got lucky and found out that Steve was leading a group in nearby Bear Mountain State Park yesterday. My time was well invested.
As we gathered chickweed, garlic mustard and several other elements of my wild edible salad, I marveled at his commitment to creating exciting and delicious vegan cuisine.
With his trademark pith helmet, high-powered magnifying class and recycled jokes, Steve’s passion for the earth and attention to detail will take me to the next level.
