What’s going on out on the land?
Who are you?
I wanted to make a post of some of the assorted lifeforms I have been finding while out on the land. Part of the process of learning the land is to know that we don’t know much. I know those with longer standing relationships, more profound training and mentors may have considerable more knowledge and experience, but we all start somewhere and I’m trying to learn all I can.
Chinook Salmon, Nottawasaga River at Hockley Valley Conservation Area
In the fall, for the last three years I've been visiting this quiet section of the Nottawasaga River at Hockley Valley. I think it will be a tradition long into the future.
#1492LandBackLane
Many folks don’t know much about ongoing land reclamation and defence of land down in Six Nations at 1492 Landback Lane, and I only know so much myself, so I wanted to compile some resources on how to learn more.
Question Book 3 : The Return of Question Book
These are question that come from observations in the field, from discussion with students and colleagues, or just from late night wonderings. I write them out in a physical book so I will not lose them and try to make time later to answer them. On to the questions!
More Praying Mantis questions from the Question Book
So again, these are some of the questions that I write up through the days while I am out on the land. Curiosities and wonderings, incomplete understandings and unknowns. If I don’t write them down, I’ll never remember to look them up.
As I keep seeing them out on the land, I keep wondering about the Praying Mantis and what their habits are. Time to share what I am learning.
A couple from the Question Book pt. 1
A couple of questions, a couple of answers from the Question Book.
Truffles and the Muskrat Pond
I was sitting on top of the root dome, looking down over the shelf, peering into the soft muddy substrates below me while folks were figuring the story of the tracks out. While they investigated further, I looked around on top of where I was and was grateful that I did as I realized that I had narrowly avoided putting my hand in a moderate pile of Raccoon scat.
Towards a better understanding of Turkey scat
Towards understanding Turkey scat. Looking at physiological differences in males and females which influcence the shape and structure of their scat. Why wonder about scat? Well… TRACKING!
Phenology as tracking through time
You have probably heard of a Phenology journal before, where folks keep track of when specific things happen over a year, or over the course of many years... it’s like tracking… through time.
What do Groundhogs eat?
Another one from my question book, but to be honest, I think this has passed through many question books, and I don’t know why I keep forgetting. It’s about time I wrote out what I’ve learned and that way folks can remind me.
Tracking Cooper’s Hawks along the Etobicoke Creek
I was exploring the northwestern end of the Etobicoke Creek trail on July 14th when I made my way into an Eastern White Pine plantation edging a creekside forest on the other side of the trail I was on. Near the opening of the trail I found a Robin carcass missing the head.