I have a great deal of respect for people who not only know what animal left the scat, but when, what the animal ate and often a good deal more about the animal’s sex, health and details that most people would not notice.
Some species of decomposer mushrooms also grow from scat.
Here is what I found on my most recent hike:
Now that we’ve had a bit of rain, I’m hoping seasonal mushrooms will fruit.
As the sun rose, the waning moon was still visible. There’s something special about standing between the sun and the moon at the start of a new day.
White oak acorns are dropping early. At first I thought they might be the undesirable ones. But when I set them out in my yard, the squirrels ate a few right away and carried off the rest. I think the chipmunk got in on the feast, too.
I’m looking forward to feedback from people who know what they’re looking at to help me really see what I am looking at.
Sitting in a lean-to on a DEC-blazed trail that starts at Alder Lake in the Catskill Mountains, not far from Livingston Manor. It’s a refreshing day – breezy with low humidity.
I’ve hiked 2.25 miles on a gradual uphill and I need to stop. I’m completely out of shape. My hiking has been curtailed by a combination of this oppressively hot summer and the car accident. The drought has hit here, too. All the wild berries are dried out.
There are two identically built nests in the rafters of this lean-to and a parent bird has returned and is scolding me for sitting too close to the nests.
I thought the chirping was a chipmunk at first. Before getting out of the way, I took photos and video and left some sunflower seeds, which is silly – this bird is a flycatcher. If I had heard the song, instead of the call, I would have immediately figured out this was Sayornis phoebe. Midday light and shadow are not ideal for photos.
nolink]
No longer between the parent and the nest, I am now sitting on a log in a swamp. Wood nettle is everywhere. In this season it stings worse than common nettle and it’s only good to transplant or harvest in spring and fall. I still do not have a good view of the nests, unless I’m willing to lie down on my tummy on the wood nettles.
I do have an amazing opportunity to observe this bird and its behavior in detail in a natural setting. What a gift. (more…)
This part of New York’s Hudson Valley has been so dry that I have not found any fungi, even in places I have seen them before. The day was not wasted, since I found other wild edibles, although not in great quantity.
Even the tiniest milkweed pods are maturing rapidly.
I gathered enough to add to ratatouille.
I also found evening primrose blossoms, which are a great trail snack. I have not yet tried to combine them in any recipe.
It finally rained yesterday for half the day. It helps a bit, but many of the plants were burned to a crisp in the heat wave. I headed for a shady trail. It’s not as hot as it was, but I want to be out before the summer sun has a chance to heat up the trail.
I did not expect to find mushrooms. But I did find grape leaves.
I chose several different sizes and shades of green. What I learned is that the lighter green leaves were still tender. The darker green leaves, having endured the extreme heat, were tough and chewy. One source I consulted suggested foragers count down three leaves from the new growth at the end of the vine and pick the next 2-3 leaves. Do not pick more than three from each stem.
I only gathered a few leaves, because I knew this was an experiment. Now that I know what to look for, I’m motivated to make stuffed grape leaves again.
I got out the door to experience first light in spring for the last time this year. My thoughts are not as light-hearted and hopeful as in the past. Still, I am able to inhale the warm scent of a summer morning, not the noxious fumes of spilled oil.
This is not as compelling a photo as my 2007 solstice image, but no two years are the same.
I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to spend time in the woods.
So far this winter, abundant snow has fallen well south of me, but the inch or two that has fallen here is perfect for tracking animals that are not easy to see, like the bobcat.
My notebook is 5.5 inches long, so I have an idea of this feline’s stride.
In preparation for my workshop, I took the opportunity to hike the same trail three days in a row. The first day there were only two or three sets of tracks, including mine. By day three, more individuals traveled this particular trail.
The patina of snow does not always cover the ice, which has its own beauty
There are few things that would lure me out of the woods when conditions are perfect for both cross-country skiing and tracking. Cookies made from acorn flour and dipped in chocolate and black walnuts – I never had a chance.
Baking does not come naturally to me, so I appreciate the mastery of fellow forager Jim Capossela. I don’t know him well enough to even hint that I’d like the recipe.
Finding the right light-weight gear to make long-distance backpacking more comfortable has been more of a challenge than I anticipated.
From the moment I learned about tarps and hammocks, I was hooked. My latest challenge has been finding the right backpack.
My gear quest involves spending both woods time and computer time. It’s great to see what’s being marketed online. Some sites even include instructional videos. But unless a merchant has a decent return policy, tread carefully. You have to test the gear in the field. (more…)
Chicken mushrooms are abundant and succulent this year. I initially thought the Red Eft was enjoying the mushroom.
According to two people, the salamander is enjoying the insects (possibly Springtails) who are enjoying this mushroom.
I was fortunate to accompany Dianna Smith for a trek to plan the NEMF foray which will take place in late September 2010. If conditions are anything like this next year, the event will be a huge success.
