WriterByNature.com

February 11, 2008 5:05 am

I haven’t experimented with hide tanning for years. Back then, I used a hide scraper to remove membranes, fat and meat from a wet hide.

I had no idea it was even possible to scrape a dry hide clean. The red squirrel that found my trap provided an unexpected opportunity. I started with basic instructions provided by Barry Keegan. I skinned the hide while at Hawk Circle, but with all we had to do, I didn’t get to the tanning until I got back home. (more…)

February 6, 2008 4:58 am

This is the first time I cleaned a skull without an expert at my side. I have only two other fresh skulls in my collection; the rest I found while hiking.

I wasn’t willing to bury this red squirrel skull and wait for the dung beetles. I knew that by boiling the skull, I would risk losing the teeth, so I tried an experiment, after consulting my experts and reading as much as I could on the subjects of cleaning skulls and cooking meat. (more…)

September 19, 2007 1:27 am

This recipe is one of my favorites.

Follow my acorn preparation instructions, then add venison. Venison is farmed in many places, so even if you don’t hunt, this is a treat. (more…)

September 10, 2007 9:29 am

I love watching flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) on a warm summer night.

They really should be called gliding squirrels, because what allows them to be airborne is a loose flap of skin called the PATAGIUM. (more…)

August 18, 2007 4:32 am

It’s a whole lot of fun blending in, rather than scaring away the wildlife.

I was amazed that this deer raised up on his hind legs to reach the food he wanted.

I’d been using the video feature of my Canon PowerShot A710IS, pushing the limits of the battery. That may explain the jerky quality to the footage.

I almost fell over, when the deer started walking toward me. That’s when I ran out of memory - of course.

But still, for a moment, I was blended in, part of the natural world around me. I live for those moments and wish they were universally important.

July 30, 2007 6:29 pm

When I set out earlier today, my goal was to find:

• Wood sorrel
• Purslane
• Black trumpet mushrooms
• Oyster mushrooms
• Wild blueberries
• Wineberries
• Huckleberries

I decided to challenge myself a bit, so today’s hike was in Minnewaska State Park, about 35 miles north of my usual haunts. I did not find the black trumpets, but I did find the good red russulas and oysters. I also did not find the wineberries, but I did find a few ripe blackberries in addition to the blueberries and huckleberries.

My big surprise was the tiny milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) pods I found.

(more…)

July 26, 2007 2:33 pm

Enjoying nature is in the little things, like this insect (I think it’s a firefly) on a laurel node. Dawn and dusk are the best times for hiking; that’s when I see the most wildlife activity. (more…)

June 26, 2007 11:46 pm

What doesn’t belong on this sign?

If you said the apostrophe, you’re right.

I’m not being critical or judgmental. People who have trouble with grammar and spelling are among my clients. It’s my job to find and correct these mistakes before they go public.

I wish these sign makers were my clients. (more…)

June 21, 2007 9:48 am

My early morning nature hikes make me feel like I am in a holy place. With images like this, what other way is there to see the natural world? (more…)

May 16, 2007 8:44 pm

The days are still getting longer, making it easier for animals to get around. Here’s who was out and about this morning:

This porcupine is aware I’m watching. Porcupines cannot “throw” their quills. Quills penetrate the skin of animals that touch them.

(more…)