WriterByNature.com

February 28, 2010 7:15 am

The snow is waist deep. I’ve been snowed in since Thursday. It’s fun and at the same time, scary. What’s up with that? When did I become afraid of nature?

The dense heavy snow is good for making a quinzee. But considering I spent close to four hours moving enough snow away from my door to squeeze outside, I’m inclined to save my energy. My neighbors and I may be pecking at this with shovels until May.

My car is under this snow somewhere. The snow plow guy is not avoiding me. He needs to come back with a bucket loader. This rural driveway is too challenging for a suburban truck & plow. (more…)

January 28, 2010 8:49 am

Heavy rain washed away the snow, exposing some interesting features of the rock surface of area mountains. This morning’s snow is laying down a fresh palette for wildlife tracks.

As for the rocks, when I saw this, I wondered if it had been split by temperature extremes:

But what really happened is that the tooth-like calcium deposit was not solid like this rock:

Moisture filled in between the gaps of the calicium “teeth” of the first rock.

I’ve spent a great deal of time hiking two mountains located less than 10 miles from each other which are composed of different geological materials. One is conglomerate rock with distinct vegetation and evidence of glacial movement.

The bedrock on the other mountain is precambrian gneiss outcroppings with mica and feldspar inclusions along with embedded microcrystalline quartz.

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December 23, 2009 7:53 am

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.

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December 8, 2009 6:15 am

Why do I continue practicing wilderness skills, when lightweight camping gear makes life outdoors much easier?

In a word, RESPECT. If I understand how everything works, then if my gear fails, I have the choice to create what I need. If you understand fire by friction, you don’t take that butane lighter for granted.

That attitude, leads to action, which builds my confidence, which makes spending time outdoors fun.

For the past two months, I’ve been meeting with fellow wilderness skills enthusiasts Peter Cutul, Joanna Dickey and Paul Tappenden for an extended skills-building session. (more…)

November 12, 2009 7:13 am

My idea of a good book is when I get to the end, I turn the book over and start reading it  again. William Kamkwamba is the actual boy who harnessed the wind.

It’s hard to imagine, as 2009 draws to a close, that there are people who live daily without electricity and running water. It’s hard to imagine communities without  free public education, but that’s reality in many countries.

So what made a boy ask, “How does electricity work?” (more…)

November 8, 2009 8:12 am

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…)

October 23, 2009 7:21 am

I knew the mushroom I harvested was Flammulina velutipes, but I still made a spore print and studied the details of the cap, underside and stem.

The consequence of making a mistake and collecting Galerina autumnalis are frightening.

One of the most compelling writers in the world of mycology is Dr. Tom Volk. Re-reading his words scared me witless. Here’s an excerpt from his article on Galerina autumnalis which set off an episode of self-doubt that kept me studying this for hours:

The toxin in Galerina (and in the death angels) is a relatively small protein of eight amino acids, a cyclopeptide called a-amanitin.  . . . The a-amanitin ultimately affects the central nervous system and kidneys. Unlike many fungal toxins it does not cause symptoms right away. As long as 6-24 hours after ingestion there may be an early feeling of unease, followed by violent cramps and diarrhea. On the third day, there is a remission of symptoms, but this is a false remission. On the 4th to 5th day the enzymes increase, and liver and kidneys are severely affected. Death often follows if a liver transplant or other heroic measures are not performed.

Despite taking responsible steps in my field observation, this is a reminder to never let myself get sloppy when it comes to the “little brown mushrooms.”

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September 21, 2009 9:13 am

As we crossed a sunny field with milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) growing in abundance, an animated conversation ensued as to which was which. Studying a plant in all seasons provides a valuable opportunity to note similarities and differences.

I rarely disagree with George Johanson, but yes, dogbane and milkweed do grow together, as shown in this photo I found online:

This spring photo reveals the subtle differences in the size and shape of the leaves, but other features provide a more readily visible distinction in the field. Yesterday, it was obvious that some plants had smooth stems and some had fine hairs.

Page 299 from The Forager’s Harvest has a very handy chart listing the basic field identifiers between the two. Here are a few highlights:

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August 23, 2009 9:54 pm

Having a Master of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism, I don’t bother with what passes for news. I know better. This season, I’m too busy foraging and farming to keep up with my notebook, let alone my computer.

But when it comes to feedback from my readers, I cannot ignore the fact that survival is the “top of mind awareness” concern for people who didn’t plan to be in a survival situation.

Regardless of what media pundits, corporate executives or government leaders argue, certain basic laws of nature prevail. Every living being needs, shelter, water, warmth and nutrition.

Shelter comes first for a very good reason. (more…)

August 15, 2009 8:54 am

I’m amazed at the amount of valuable information uploaded by people who love the outdoors as I do and have the ability to invent or modify equipment that makes bushcraft even more rewarding.

Kudos and a million thanks to:

Hammock Forums – I thought I was a hammock enthusiast. The people who post here have already solved some of my hammock use questions.

Trail Gear – I love the idea of J. Falk’s bushwhacker stove. He’s produced several videos to show how it works.