Feathers Earl Plato
The souvenir pewter drinking mug on my duck decoys shelf holds a variety of bird feathers. They are large specimens such as the tail feather of a Cooper’s hawk. I have no small songbird feathers though I have found many over the years. Nature writer Ed Teale shares this little excerpt. “The feather first catches our eye. No more than three-quarters of an inch long it is tipped with scarlet. Like a tiny perfect jewel resting on the rich green velvet of a jewellery case, it lies on a cushion of moss beside the trail - the body feather dropped by a molting Scarlet tanager.” Get a another cup only smaller and collect some small but colourful songbird feathers? Why not?
***
Hey, I am an animal lover but I agree with Gerry Riesing of the Buffalo News when he says that he disagrees with the animal rights folks who insist we simply “let nature take its course.” Few of us would want a black bear in our back yards as occurred in Hamilton recently. More of us would be willing to see the problems created by deer, Canada geese, and purple loosestrife addressed by our town and region. Bears and wild cats in urban areas should be caught and humanely removed to their more natural habitats.
***
To the bird lover, eye catching colours of certain songbirds are so appealing. I’ve said many times that I miss the family farm setting for many reasons - one main one was the colourful songbirds. Here in town I miss the myriad of coloured plumages. Wait! Last month we had a male Rose-breasted grosbeak at our feeders. A flood of colour images came to my mind’s eye after that viewing. Deep in Marcy’s Woods Ernie Giles and I took photos of a male Scarlet Tanager. Look it up in your bird guide. What a vivid recall of those deep black and powerful red colours captured in that slide. Ever think of a nature photography hobby?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Black Flies
This is an article fro two springs ago.
I still remember those little black guys!
Black Flies Earl Plato
I run my fingers over the back of my neck along my hairline. I have just returned from an early June week in Algonquin Park. The numerous swellings that itch on my neck are from bites of black flies. Plato, didn’t you use Off with deet? Yes, but apparently not enough applications in certain areas! May and June are the main months for this vicious little insect. What do you know about them? Any of you who have followed my articles over the years know that I have a love for Algonquin Park. Let me qualify that statement. For years I have visited the Park in the summer and Fall. I avoided Spring. However, this year in June we had the opportunity to spend some time in Algonquin. Why not? No, I didn’t forget those veracious insects.
Early June saw us alone on the trails. We had tried to protect ourselves
with ample applications of Deet. No other venturers at Spruce Bog Trail or Peck Lake Trail, two of the shorter Algonquin trails. Swarms of blackflies were there ready to make life miserable for us Niagarans. I had made a study of the life cycle of these flies some years ago while staying on the west side of the Park. I had hiked down Whiskey Run Trail and was told by a Park ranger to look for the following: Whiskey Run is a fast flowing stream on the edge of the great Park. Look for the multitudinous larvae of the Simultidae, the blackflies, attached to the rocks in the fast flowing stream. The white water of cascades provides the larvae with the extra oxygen they needed. What happenened next was that the larvae spin boot-shaped underwater cocoons, open at the downstream end. Look for the hundreds of cocoons on the water covered rocks of the rapids. These I saw but wait a few days for each cocoon forms a bubble of air. Then something I did not stay to see was that the cocoon of the blackfly splitting with each insect riding within a bubble. Each bubble shoots upwards through the tumbling water of Whiskey Run and pops to the surface amid the flying spray. The blackfly instantaneously lifts itself into the air on its tiny wings. Thus is born an adult blackfly. Hikers beware! Visit Algonquin but pick the best month to miss blackflies.
Writer’s Note: Park rangers give daily talks and walks during the summer season. Mushrooms, wild flowers, ferns, song birds and many more informative topics are available. It was a ranger who told me about blackflies. Never stop learning in nature.
I still remember those little black guys!
Black Flies Earl Plato
I run my fingers over the back of my neck along my hairline. I have just returned from an early June week in Algonquin Park. The numerous swellings that itch on my neck are from bites of black flies. Plato, didn’t you use Off with deet? Yes, but apparently not enough applications in certain areas! May and June are the main months for this vicious little insect. What do you know about them? Any of you who have followed my articles over the years know that I have a love for Algonquin Park. Let me qualify that statement. For years I have visited the Park in the summer and Fall. I avoided Spring. However, this year in June we had the opportunity to spend some time in Algonquin. Why not? No, I didn’t forget those veracious insects.
Early June saw us alone on the trails. We had tried to protect ourselves
with ample applications of Deet. No other venturers at Spruce Bog Trail or Peck Lake Trail, two of the shorter Algonquin trails. Swarms of blackflies were there ready to make life miserable for us Niagarans. I had made a study of the life cycle of these flies some years ago while staying on the west side of the Park. I had hiked down Whiskey Run Trail and was told by a Park ranger to look for the following: Whiskey Run is a fast flowing stream on the edge of the great Park. Look for the multitudinous larvae of the Simultidae, the blackflies, attached to the rocks in the fast flowing stream. The white water of cascades provides the larvae with the extra oxygen they needed. What happenened next was that the larvae spin boot-shaped underwater cocoons, open at the downstream end. Look for the hundreds of cocoons on the water covered rocks of the rapids. These I saw but wait a few days for each cocoon forms a bubble of air. Then something I did not stay to see was that the cocoon of the blackfly splitting with each insect riding within a bubble. Each bubble shoots upwards through the tumbling water of Whiskey Run and pops to the surface amid the flying spray. The blackfly instantaneously lifts itself into the air on its tiny wings. Thus is born an adult blackfly. Hikers beware! Visit Algonquin but pick the best month to miss blackflies.
Writer’s Note: Park rangers give daily talks and walks during the summer season. Mushrooms, wild flowers, ferns, song birds and many more informative topics are available. It was a ranger who told me about blackflies. Never stop learning in nature.
Think Big!
Think Big! Earl Plato
Think big in Norway. Every 20 kilometres or so on major highway N6 a large sign greets you. On it is the head of a bull moose. Like our Ontario deer crossing signs a warning says, “Beware moose crossing.” I have learned that Norway is filled with these giant animals. “Don’t drive at dawn or dusk unless you have to,” cousin Erik said. “If you do, be alert.” Meeting a moose in a low lying sports car can be fatal. He told us of such an incident where the driver, an old friend, was killed as the antlered head of the bull moose crashed through her windshield.
I have stood next to a mounted moose at the Centre in Algonquin Park. It iowered over me. I experienced the same thing in the Trondheim museum this past May. Big? How big is big? Weight 635 kg. - 1400 lb. and at least 7 1/2 feet tall. What a giant animal! To meet such a bull moose on the highway or in the woods would be a memorable experience. I have been in a canoe close to a moose when she emerged from the lake. That image is still etched in my memory. In my workroom I have the framed print of the head of a bull moose and another less expensive print of a pair of moose entering a lake. I took a photo of a huge original painting in the Trondheim museum of an old Bull moose attacked by a pack of wolves. Yhree more recebt actual photos adorn my wall. Yes, I am hooked on the moose, the largest cervid in the world.
From my moose hunting friends and relatives I have learned that moose can be unpredictable during rutting season and therefore dangerous. It is normally a retiring animal and avoids humans.We drove over 1,000 miles through the heartland of Norway during the day, Alas no moose.
Yes, my Norwegian cousins served us moose. It tasted like beef and was delicious. A week before we arrived a cow moose and her young meandered through our cousin’s backyard in Asker only fifteen minutes from downtown Oslo! A beautiful country but think big when you drive. Big, meaning moose.
Think big in Norway. Every 20 kilometres or so on major highway N6 a large sign greets you. On it is the head of a bull moose. Like our Ontario deer crossing signs a warning says, “Beware moose crossing.” I have learned that Norway is filled with these giant animals. “Don’t drive at dawn or dusk unless you have to,” cousin Erik said. “If you do, be alert.” Meeting a moose in a low lying sports car can be fatal. He told us of such an incident where the driver, an old friend, was killed as the antlered head of the bull moose crashed through her windshield.
I have stood next to a mounted moose at the Centre in Algonquin Park. It iowered over me. I experienced the same thing in the Trondheim museum this past May. Big? How big is big? Weight 635 kg. - 1400 lb. and at least 7 1/2 feet tall. What a giant animal! To meet such a bull moose on the highway or in the woods would be a memorable experience. I have been in a canoe close to a moose when she emerged from the lake. That image is still etched in my memory. In my workroom I have the framed print of the head of a bull moose and another less expensive print of a pair of moose entering a lake. I took a photo of a huge original painting in the Trondheim museum of an old Bull moose attacked by a pack of wolves. Yhree more recebt actual photos adorn my wall. Yes, I am hooked on the moose, the largest cervid in the world.
From my moose hunting friends and relatives I have learned that moose can be unpredictable during rutting season and therefore dangerous. It is normally a retiring animal and avoids humans.We drove over 1,000 miles through the heartland of Norway during the day, Alas no moose.
Yes, my Norwegian cousins served us moose. It tasted like beef and was delicious. A week before we arrived a cow moose and her young meandered through our cousin’s backyard in Asker only fifteen minutes from downtown Oslo! A beautiful country but think big when you drive. Big, meaning moose.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Moose Time
What better place than to experience Ontario nature than in Algonquin Park in 2004. We have spent over the years many days even weeks in the summer and fall in that great setting, This June Elaine and I spent close to a week at a resort at the east end of Algonquin. Perfect except for the vicious black flies. I should have known better - May and June are peak months for these biting insects. Armed with sprays and lotions containing Deet we survived. Spring is a beautiful month to be in the park. Very few people around in fact on two of the walking trails - Peck lake and Spruce Bog Boardwalk we were alone.
When you enter the Park and pay your entrance fee you are greeted by a sign warning about meeting moose for the next 60 kilometres! On our second day just west of the Lake of Two Rivers we met him. There to our right feeding on the succulent water lilies was a fair-sized bull moose. Three other cars had stopped. All of us were taking shots as the giant animal ambled along. Occasionally he would lift his giant head and stare at us humans. I approached more closely and have some good shots. Back in our car the others eventually drove off. Elaine said, “ Let’s see if he’ll cross the road.” We sat and waited. Then suddenly he emerged from below the embankment. I took two snaps through the windshield as he passed in front of us. Thankfully one turned out.
Back at the resort we were told that moose move out into the sunshine from their forested protection this time of year for at least two reasons as follows: less black flies in the sunshine and access to the roots of the lily pads and other aquatic plants.
Next day at almost the same area an even larger bullmoose with a huge dangling dewlap under its muzzle and budding antlers stood in the wetlands. This moose had huge ears as my photos show. This larger bull of the two we had seen looked at us each time he tore away some of the lily pad roots. Charge us? Not at this time of the year. Rutting time is in the fall and friends and relatives have told me some scary tales involving a giant amorous bull moose. We had experienced something I hadn’t accomplished in ten days in May in Norway - seeing two bullmooses! However, my Norwegian cousins did feed me roast moose. It tasted like beef. Warnings there and here - be on the lookout for these giant animals especially at dusk and dawn. Meeting a 1500 lb. moose - something has to give! Enjoy these giants as we did. It’s much safer.
When you enter the Park and pay your entrance fee you are greeted by a sign warning about meeting moose for the next 60 kilometres! On our second day just west of the Lake of Two Rivers we met him. There to our right feeding on the succulent water lilies was a fair-sized bull moose. Three other cars had stopped. All of us were taking shots as the giant animal ambled along. Occasionally he would lift his giant head and stare at us humans. I approached more closely and have some good shots. Back in our car the others eventually drove off. Elaine said, “ Let’s see if he’ll cross the road.” We sat and waited. Then suddenly he emerged from below the embankment. I took two snaps through the windshield as he passed in front of us. Thankfully one turned out.
Back at the resort we were told that moose move out into the sunshine from their forested protection this time of year for at least two reasons as follows: less black flies in the sunshine and access to the roots of the lily pads and other aquatic plants.
Next day at almost the same area an even larger bullmoose with a huge dangling dewlap under its muzzle and budding antlers stood in the wetlands. This moose had huge ears as my photos show. This larger bull of the two we had seen looked at us each time he tore away some of the lily pad roots. Charge us? Not at this time of the year. Rutting time is in the fall and friends and relatives have told me some scary tales involving a giant amorous bull moose. We had experienced something I hadn’t accomplished in ten days in May in Norway - seeing two bullmooses! However, my Norwegian cousins did feed me roast moose. It tasted like beef. Warnings there and here - be on the lookout for these giant animals especially at dusk and dawn. Meeting a 1500 lb. moose - something has to give! Enjoy these giants as we did. It’s much safer.
In Norway
NN3404 Earl Plato
To bird lovers - How many times have you sat at a roadside picnic table and watched the local birds? Plenty of times, I suspect. Ring-billed gulls, starlings. sparrows - we know them all. My recent experience was some what different. As a bird lover I was pleased to be resting at an outdoor restaurant in the middle of Norway on Highway N6 May 19, 2004. We had no sooner sat down with our burger and coke ($14 Can,) when the “typewriter” birds arrived. That’s the name daughter Diane gave to these members of the crow family. Their “clink-clink-clink” call is a ringing sound. Irritating to some. Magpies are common to Norway. They are a large black and white bird with a long black tail.
In our Canadian West the magpies are black-billed and so were these. As they meandered around the grassy knoll they seemed to be looking for insects. Close to me another bird arrived. My hamburger was excellent and expensive. Would I share it? He came quite close and I threw him a piece of my bun.The magpies seemed indifferent to this new comer. I made a quick sketch of this bird that was larger than our sparrows - black head and black vest and brown wings. When I returned to my cousin’s place near Oslo I looked in his bird book. Lapp wing fitted the description. It reminded me of Horned lark. Back in Oslo outside my cousin’s house I heard first then counted eight magpies as they descended on a large Norway spruce. Suddenly a bird that was probably a hawk exploded from its cover seeking safety. Yes, “mobbing” occurs in Norway too.
Gulls were present in the Oslo harbour. I recognized ring-bills, lesser black backs, and herring gulls. We ate at a beautiful outdoor restaurant near the Viking museum. It was a sunny bright day but the gulls had good manners. Not one bothered us. Norwegians are polite as even their wildlife did not harass us Canadians.
Next: The land of the moose.
To bird lovers - How many times have you sat at a roadside picnic table and watched the local birds? Plenty of times, I suspect. Ring-billed gulls, starlings. sparrows - we know them all. My recent experience was some what different. As a bird lover I was pleased to be resting at an outdoor restaurant in the middle of Norway on Highway N6 May 19, 2004. We had no sooner sat down with our burger and coke ($14 Can,) when the “typewriter” birds arrived. That’s the name daughter Diane gave to these members of the crow family. Their “clink-clink-clink” call is a ringing sound. Irritating to some. Magpies are common to Norway. They are a large black and white bird with a long black tail.
In our Canadian West the magpies are black-billed and so were these. As they meandered around the grassy knoll they seemed to be looking for insects. Close to me another bird arrived. My hamburger was excellent and expensive. Would I share it? He came quite close and I threw him a piece of my bun.The magpies seemed indifferent to this new comer. I made a quick sketch of this bird that was larger than our sparrows - black head and black vest and brown wings. When I returned to my cousin’s place near Oslo I looked in his bird book. Lapp wing fitted the description. It reminded me of Horned lark. Back in Oslo outside my cousin’s house I heard first then counted eight magpies as they descended on a large Norway spruce. Suddenly a bird that was probably a hawk exploded from its cover seeking safety. Yes, “mobbing” occurs in Norway too.
Gulls were present in the Oslo harbour. I recognized ring-bills, lesser black backs, and herring gulls. We ate at a beautiful outdoor restaurant near the Viking museum. It was a sunny bright day but the gulls had good manners. Not one bothered us. Norwegians are polite as even their wildlife did not harass us Canadians.
Next: The land of the moose.
Not Just A Tree
Sassafras - Not Just Another Tree Earl Plato
You never know. Since I have been writing the nature column for the Review for many years I still expect to be surprised. Jack Frazer who lives on St. Patrick Avenue in the Falls called the other day. Think big, Earl. In my recent article on the Sassafras tree I thought small. That’s based on my personal knowledge. Decidedly wrong. Jack has a sassafras tree some fifty feet tall and two feet in diameter! He invited me down to see it. “How old?” I asked. “Some fifty years old.” I believe he dug up a small sapling in the same area where we found some little paw paw shoots with Ernie Giles years ago. Jack, you surprised me. Weather permitting I’ll be down to see your great Carolinian tree.
A reader called to remind me when you crush a fresh sassafras leaf you get a delightful aroma. Good memories, eh? Again, sassafras tea any one?
***
What a cardinal fix! Over twenty cardinals feeding at the Henningham’s feeders on Bertie Road. The buff-brown females outnumbered the bright red males disproportionately. Why? I don’t know. Owner Bud had already fed the birds twice that day. He wasn’t finished. Pat and Bud are the epitome of wild bird lovers. Suet balls, tree feeders and ground trays in a sheltered area facing south. A downy woodpecker was at the suet ball, cardinals were swarming the tree feeders and four mourning doves scratching at the ground level on a very cold January afternoon.
Cardinal fix, yes. What do we know about cardinals? The Audubon Guide says, “Cardinals are aggressive birds.” Not this frigid day. They seemed to be all feeding amicably at the Henningham feeders. The Guide goes on to add, “They occupy their territory year-round.” Where did these birds go to after their afternoon feed. Each to his own territory we believe.
Cardinals are in the Finch family and feed mainly on seeds. I know that Bud and Pat spend a sizable amount yearly on bird seed. They understand that once you make the commitment to feeding songbirds you must be faithful. Cardinals sing all year around. Both sexes are good singers. The name origin you probably know. The species is named after the red robes of Roman Catholic cardinals.
Question to local senior citizens. Do you remember lots of cardinals around when you were young? I didn’t. Audubon Guide again says, “... into Southern Canada in recent decades.” The species is expanding its territory in the Northeast. That’s okay. Enjoy your feathered friends.
You never know. Since I have been writing the nature column for the Review for many years I still expect to be surprised. Jack Frazer who lives on St. Patrick Avenue in the Falls called the other day. Think big, Earl. In my recent article on the Sassafras tree I thought small. That’s based on my personal knowledge. Decidedly wrong. Jack has a sassafras tree some fifty feet tall and two feet in diameter! He invited me down to see it. “How old?” I asked. “Some fifty years old.” I believe he dug up a small sapling in the same area where we found some little paw paw shoots with Ernie Giles years ago. Jack, you surprised me. Weather permitting I’ll be down to see your great Carolinian tree.
A reader called to remind me when you crush a fresh sassafras leaf you get a delightful aroma. Good memories, eh? Again, sassafras tea any one?
***
What a cardinal fix! Over twenty cardinals feeding at the Henningham’s feeders on Bertie Road. The buff-brown females outnumbered the bright red males disproportionately. Why? I don’t know. Owner Bud had already fed the birds twice that day. He wasn’t finished. Pat and Bud are the epitome of wild bird lovers. Suet balls, tree feeders and ground trays in a sheltered area facing south. A downy woodpecker was at the suet ball, cardinals were swarming the tree feeders and four mourning doves scratching at the ground level on a very cold January afternoon.
Cardinal fix, yes. What do we know about cardinals? The Audubon Guide says, “Cardinals are aggressive birds.” Not this frigid day. They seemed to be all feeding amicably at the Henningham feeders. The Guide goes on to add, “They occupy their territory year-round.” Where did these birds go to after their afternoon feed. Each to his own territory we believe.
Cardinals are in the Finch family and feed mainly on seeds. I know that Bud and Pat spend a sizable amount yearly on bird seed. They understand that once you make the commitment to feeding songbirds you must be faithful. Cardinals sing all year around. Both sexes are good singers. The name origin you probably know. The species is named after the red robes of Roman Catholic cardinals.
Question to local senior citizens. Do you remember lots of cardinals around when you were young? I didn’t. Audubon Guide again says, “... into Southern Canada in recent decades.” The species is expanding its territory in the Northeast. That’s okay. Enjoy your feathered friends.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Repeat-Eagle Owl
Eagle Owl Earl Plato
I have been to Hell and back literally. My grandmother, Petra Andersen, and her two sisters were born in the little Norwegian village of Hell near the ancient capital of Trondheim. It was here on a mid-May day 2004 that two of my daughters, Elizabeth and Diane, and I found the Eagle owl.
Four days in Trondheim, a beautifully clean city, gave us time to explore. In the Natural History Museum at the University of Trondheim in walking distance we found Bubo bubo, the Eagle owl. English is Norway’s second language and the university student at the desk was most helpful. “On this floor to your left is a display of native birds, and downstairs is a special room.” The museum’s brochure had the Eagle owl as its logo! I was in Bubo country! We found three Eagle owls mounted and they were of impressive size. We recognized other raptors found back home. Then down the stairs to a special room. There greeting us was the face of the giant owl. It was an entire room devoted to the Eagle owl of Norway! In a diorama was a spectacular sight. An enormous Eagle owl with an eagle-like wing spread was suspended from the ceiling. In its powerful talons was a full grown red fox. Realistically frightening. Unfortunately all the writeups were in Norwegian. Shots of nests and young were portrayed in the displays including the prey of this largest of owls - lambs, fox, and small animals and old tales of human babies being carried away.
On our way back south to Oslo and my relatives’ homes we saw two nests. One was close to the N6 highway and I snapped it. It was a large nest but I think too small. Then daughter Elizabeth spied off in the distance an extremely huge nest. A home of Bubo bubo the great Norwegian Eagle owl? I think so. Thank you Pelham library for you started it all. My quest has ended. Enjoy nature while you can.
I have been to Hell and back literally. My grandmother, Petra Andersen, and her two sisters were born in the little Norwegian village of Hell near the ancient capital of Trondheim. It was here on a mid-May day 2004 that two of my daughters, Elizabeth and Diane, and I found the Eagle owl.
Four days in Trondheim, a beautifully clean city, gave us time to explore. In the Natural History Museum at the University of Trondheim in walking distance we found Bubo bubo, the Eagle owl. English is Norway’s second language and the university student at the desk was most helpful. “On this floor to your left is a display of native birds, and downstairs is a special room.” The museum’s brochure had the Eagle owl as its logo! I was in Bubo country! We found three Eagle owls mounted and they were of impressive size. We recognized other raptors found back home. Then down the stairs to a special room. There greeting us was the face of the giant owl. It was an entire room devoted to the Eagle owl of Norway! In a diorama was a spectacular sight. An enormous Eagle owl with an eagle-like wing spread was suspended from the ceiling. In its powerful talons was a full grown red fox. Realistically frightening. Unfortunately all the writeups were in Norwegian. Shots of nests and young were portrayed in the displays including the prey of this largest of owls - lambs, fox, and small animals and old tales of human babies being carried away.
On our way back south to Oslo and my relatives’ homes we saw two nests. One was close to the N6 highway and I snapped it. It was a large nest but I think too small. Then daughter Elizabeth spied off in the distance an extremely huge nest. A home of Bubo bubo the great Norwegian Eagle owl? I think so. Thank you Pelham library for you started it all. My quest has ended. Enjoy nature while you can.
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