Each of the five tiny petals on the umbel of a wild carrot flower is larger (or smaller) than the one next to it. I never noticed, until Sam Thayer pointed out that remarkable detail.
If you look closely at the tiny white flower petals on the top right, you can see for yourself.
Even if I were the best forager in the world, I’d continue to attend classes taught by well-respected foragers. Luckily, Sam found his way to Hawk Circle, where he expanded my writerbynature abilities in more ways than one.
On this scale, the average American (I hope that’s household and not individual) produces 7.5 tons of carbon dioxide each year. I (or my household) scored 3.3 tons or 3.5 tons. I don’t know what portion, if any, of my electric service comes from renewable sources. That number still doesn’t make me feel very eco-friendly.
But I’m aware of the impact of my choices. I’m working diligently to develop the skills to become carbon neutral.
I’m always looking for ways to improve the way I walk my naturalist writer talk. In order to improve my skills, I have to fine-tune my thinking. (more…)
I set out in hopes of finding edible mushrooms. We haven’t had as much rain as surrounding areas, so there wasn’t much to find.
The last few days have felt like autumn, cool crisp mornings and sunny afternoons. As I passed by a sunny area on this otherwise shady trail, I heard the rattler, giving me time to get my camera ready.
The original footage shows the snake’s flickering tongue clearly. The original audio also has a clear rattle. The YouTube upload is not as clear, but look carefully in the center of the screen, just above the overexposed fern leaf and you may be able to make it out.
I’ve been rereading Sam Thayer’s A FORAGER’s HARVEST. I’ll be meeting him tormorrow. I don’t want to embarrass myself by asking a question he’s already answered in the book.
This time, I noticed the word phenology, which Thayer defines as the timing and sequence of seasonal biological events.
Thayer is very methodical and has created a chart for the plants featured in his book. I’m hoping that after a week studying with the master, I’ll be able to apply this concept in the field.
The days are noticeably shorter. The cucumbers are long gone, the remaining tomatoes are not quite as sweet, winter squash is ripening and the leeks are ready to harvest.
My garden work shift now begins at 6:30 AM, a full hour later than three weeks ago. The sun now feels warm on my chilled back. While I weed, I disturb the crickets, rather than the earthworms.
I’d stepped less than 100 feet off the trail for a short break. At first I thought the noisy animal was an unleashed dog. I’m learning to have my camera ready. I had just enough time to get this one photo and about 20 seconds of moving pictures.
I’m sure this strolling bear was aware of my presence, but thought I was on the trail.
One look at me, and the bear ran as soon as I snapped the photo. Good bear. Wise bear. A bear that fears people has a much better chance of survival.
All I can think of is how blessed I am to witness a moment like this.
I depend on my field guides for most of my nature pursuits. I have only recently begun to establish relationships with some of the authors.
Publishing a book is a lengthy process. Knowledge is constantly changing. When I read that a mushroom is non-edible, I don’t eat it. I’m beginning to understand that “non-edible” may simply mean boring, flavorless, chewy, mucilaginous, or bitter. “Toxic” or “poisonous” may mean that a mushroom causes purging or it may mean fatal.
There’s a big difference between a mushroom that may cause vomiting, flatulence, or diarrhea and a mushroom that may cause cardiac arrest or renal failure.
