When Nature Calls Earl Plato
A favourite evening drive out to Point Abino and the Bertie Boat Club often involved seeing a solitary Blue Heron feeding near the outlet of the Abino drainage ditch. Then one evening about ten p.m. the late Harvey Hollsworth called. “Earl. There’s at least ten Blue herons in the bay!” We counted eleven Blue herons that night. Usually solitary feeders Harvey said they flew in from the north all evening. What gives? Maybe the annual run of those small fish, the smelts.
***
We once had a huge Great blue herony in Stevensville to the north of Bowen Road. Tree cutters came in and took the largest trees and destroyed the herony. This article is my look at this phenomenal site before those destructive days.
We called the herony-Schneider’s Herony. We had asked permission to enter the wetland area where the heron nests were located. We had counted at least eighteen huge nests from Bowen Road. We had to navigate puddles of water as we entered the woods. The sight that unfolded was amazing!’ ”They’re at least forty nests in here!” As we walked around we counted twenty more. Our count was sixty plus!
I had counted 25 heron nests across the border in Alabama Swamp near Lockport N.Y. Stevensville was the greater site .
The nests were rough structures. Blue herons lay 3-5 pale greenish blue eggs. The pair line the nest with finer material on a platform of sticks. Have you heard the hoarse, guttural squack of this giant bird? One tree at Scneiders had five nests in it. Imagine the noise from just this one nesting tree let alone close to fifty others during nesting time.
During that next year through the winter the nesting trees were cut down. Man needs his profit. I have wondered as those giant majestic birds returned north from their migration and found their herony decimated where did they go. I know a few sites but nothing like the Schneider site. Great memories!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Names in Nature
When Nature Calls Earl Plato
Names in nature that’s my topic. In the 1980’s the late Dr. Marcy referred to his Carolinian nature forest as Abino Woods. His sign at the entrance at the west end read for many years Abino Hills. I fell in love with the exceptional site. Some forty plus nature articles I wrote over the years I changed Abino Woods to the present appellation- Marcy Woods. Yes, I’ll take credit for promoting the deserved change.
As I walked the trails and side trails of Marcy Woods I now recall some of the names of flowers that grow in Marcy Woods. Here as follows: Gold thread, Wake robin, Queen Anne’s lace, jack-in-the-pulpit, buttercup, boneset, and black-eyed Susan.
The late American Ed Teale said thus, “Was there ever a real Susan whose name was bestowed on this flower of our fields?” No one seems to know. Who first referred to plants with these unusual names? I believe that it is part of the poetry of the common people of the past.
The late Bert Miller one spring showed us
Gold thread in the Marcy Woods area. He knelt down near the little plant related to the buttercup family. He lifted a stem and there it was - a stem of golden colour hence the name Gold thread. Daughter Allison in recent years rediscovered the plant on the way into Marcy Woods. Exciting for us.
24 carat gold? Could be.
Boneset plants exist in the butterfly fields.
Why he name “boneset” ? Ask me sometime.
Names in nature that’s my topic. In the 1980’s the late Dr. Marcy referred to his Carolinian nature forest as Abino Woods. His sign at the entrance at the west end read for many years Abino Hills. I fell in love with the exceptional site. Some forty plus nature articles I wrote over the years I changed Abino Woods to the present appellation- Marcy Woods. Yes, I’ll take credit for promoting the deserved change.
As I walked the trails and side trails of Marcy Woods I now recall some of the names of flowers that grow in Marcy Woods. Here as follows: Gold thread, Wake robin, Queen Anne’s lace, jack-in-the-pulpit, buttercup, boneset, and black-eyed Susan.
The late American Ed Teale said thus, “Was there ever a real Susan whose name was bestowed on this flower of our fields?” No one seems to know. Who first referred to plants with these unusual names? I believe that it is part of the poetry of the common people of the past.
The late Bert Miller one spring showed us
Gold thread in the Marcy Woods area. He knelt down near the little plant related to the buttercup family. He lifted a stem and there it was - a stem of golden colour hence the name Gold thread. Daughter Allison in recent years rediscovered the plant on the way into Marcy Woods. Exciting for us.
24 carat gold? Could be.
Boneset plants exist in the butterfly fields.
Why he name “boneset” ? Ask me sometime.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wild Carrot
When Nature Calls Earl Plato
“Wild carrot!” Norma Benner exclaimed. Eight of us Fort Erie seniors were walking the lovely treed trails north of the Butterfly Conservatory on a hot August day. There on the edge of the trail was a stand of Queen Anne’s Lace also known as “ wild carrot”. The next day my wife and I were driving to Welland on the 3rd Concession. On our right was an entire field filled with Queen Anne’s Lace. Back in Ridgeway the day before we had seen a similar sight - a field completely filled with “wild carrots.” Yes, this biennial is the ancestor of our garden carrot. As kids we pulled the long tap root, brushed off the accompanying dirt, and nibbled away. This lacy leafed plant is flat-topped with clusters of tiny cream-white flowers. The late Bert Miller, Fort Erie naturalist, would take the bird’s nest likeness formation at the top of each plant and have us shake the head on a piece of leather he carried.
Tiny spiders, aphids, spittle bugs and other tiny insects often would emerge. It was one of Bert’s teaching points. Here is an ode to that memorable man.
Ode to Bert Miller
In nature you do excel
With you in charge things seem to jell.
I never knew that weeds had beauty.
To pull them up was my only duty.
From Queen Anne’s Lace to the mighty Mullein,
Wild flowers and such merely left me sullen.’
From Shades of Night to the great Bull Thistle,
Mr. Miller made it as clear as a whistle.
There’s the Gold Thread and the Devil’s Paint Brush,
The delicate Orchids - please do not crush!
The Wild Rose and the Sensitive Fern,
The Agronomy! - such a name gives one concern.\
Even to detect a bush of Poison Ivy.
Wild berries, buttercups and also the daisy,
And names of plants that would send one crazy.
Mr. Miller reminded us of all this
As we thoughtfully separated - nothing amiss.
Once again, Mr. Miller, our thanks to you
For your kindness in showing us something new
Of God’s wonder and handiwork all round,
More of God’s mystery that does abound.
A portion of the poem by Ruth Saunders
“Wild carrot!” Norma Benner exclaimed. Eight of us Fort Erie seniors were walking the lovely treed trails north of the Butterfly Conservatory on a hot August day. There on the edge of the trail was a stand of Queen Anne’s Lace also known as “ wild carrot”. The next day my wife and I were driving to Welland on the 3rd Concession. On our right was an entire field filled with Queen Anne’s Lace. Back in Ridgeway the day before we had seen a similar sight - a field completely filled with “wild carrots.” Yes, this biennial is the ancestor of our garden carrot. As kids we pulled the long tap root, brushed off the accompanying dirt, and nibbled away. This lacy leafed plant is flat-topped with clusters of tiny cream-white flowers. The late Bert Miller, Fort Erie naturalist, would take the bird’s nest likeness formation at the top of each plant and have us shake the head on a piece of leather he carried.
Tiny spiders, aphids, spittle bugs and other tiny insects often would emerge. It was one of Bert’s teaching points. Here is an ode to that memorable man.
Ode to Bert Miller
In nature you do excel
With you in charge things seem to jell.
I never knew that weeds had beauty.
To pull them up was my only duty.
From Queen Anne’s Lace to the mighty Mullein,
Wild flowers and such merely left me sullen.’
From Shades of Night to the great Bull Thistle,
Mr. Miller made it as clear as a whistle.
There’s the Gold Thread and the Devil’s Paint Brush,
The delicate Orchids - please do not crush!
The Wild Rose and the Sensitive Fern,
The Agronomy! - such a name gives one concern.\
Even to detect a bush of Poison Ivy.
Wild berries, buttercups and also the daisy,
And names of plants that would send one crazy.
Mr. Miller reminded us of all this
As we thoughtfully separated - nothing amiss.
Once again, Mr. Miller, our thanks to you
For your kindness in showing us something new
Of God’s wonder and handiwork all round,
More of God’s mystery that does abound.
A portion of the poem by Ruth Saunders
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Bobolinks
Bobolinks in Old Bertie by Earl Plato
I grew up with meadowlarks and bobolinks. The time was
WW2 and the fields to the west of our Bertie Township home were ideal for those two birds. No DDT then.
Here in 2008 daughter Allison and I saw bobolinks on the edge of Marcy Woods. Allison asked, “What are those birds with the white rumps? I looked at the birds which were black with white rumps. Bobolinks. That’s right in the fields on the Marcy farm Rob Eberly and I had seen bobolinks in previous years. This is the bird that winters in Argentina, South America! Here in late May he flies our fields again. I say that his flight is like goldfinches - an undulating graceful flight. Listen as they fly by. It is a series of joyful, bubbling, tumbling, gurgling sounds with each note I am told on a different pitch.
As a youth I uncovered a bobolink nest in our field. There were five spotted with red-brown and purple. They were well nestled in a cup of grass, stems, and small rootlets. It was not as well constructed as its neighbour the meadowlark. Migration? Apparently they flock together in large numbers for the migration flight south. In southern United States they are called “Rice birds”. That makes sense. They have to fuel up for they still have a ways to go. Like fir the white rump.
I grew up with meadowlarks and bobolinks. The time was
WW2 and the fields to the west of our Bertie Township home were ideal for those two birds. No DDT then.
Here in 2008 daughter Allison and I saw bobolinks on the edge of Marcy Woods. Allison asked, “What are those birds with the white rumps? I looked at the birds which were black with white rumps. Bobolinks. That’s right in the fields on the Marcy farm Rob Eberly and I had seen bobolinks in previous years. This is the bird that winters in Argentina, South America! Here in late May he flies our fields again. I say that his flight is like goldfinches - an undulating graceful flight. Listen as they fly by. It is a series of joyful, bubbling, tumbling, gurgling sounds with each note I am told on a different pitch.
As a youth I uncovered a bobolink nest in our field. There were five spotted with red-brown and purple. They were well nestled in a cup of grass, stems, and small rootlets. It was not as well constructed as its neighbour the meadowlark. Migration? Apparently they flock together in large numbers for the migration flight south. In southern United States they are called “Rice birds”. That makes sense. They have to fuel up for they still have a ways to go. Like fir the white rump.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Two Brock U. scientists and Marcy Woods
Fort Erie Post May. 2009 Earl Plato
We are concerned about the many hemlocks found in Marcy’s Woods. On May 15th we lead Sarah Leone, Plant protection inspector scientist, into Marcy’s Woods to look for an important pest of hemlock trees, the Hemlock Wooley Adelgid. Daughter Allison and I had already looked for the tell tale cottony white egg sacs at the end of branches. We found none but we are not scientists. Why so serious? The small aphid-like insects, the Wooly adelgid sucks sap from the needles. For most of its life it is covered by a white, woolly substance that it secretes over its body. They feed primarily on young branches causing cessation of growth. There is a discoloration and premature dropping of needles, the dieback of branches and possible death of the tree in little as one year! Infestation has been found outside of Rochester, New York. That’s not far away - 160 km - 100 miles. We need the least-toxic control when it arrives. Check your home hemlocks.Contact me at
plato1@cogeco.ca to report any local infestations. Thanks.
***
Brock Phd. Student, Aynsley Theilman, followed wife Elaine and I from Marcy Woods to the alvar area off M road on the DiCienzo property. That Thursday, August 6th was mosquito day.
Mosquitos every where! That’s exactly hat Aynsley wanted. In that alvar area
!limestone surface? She wanted to collect mosquito larvae. She believed that these crptic mosquitos were rare. She called me later to say that she was successful. Later she would let mosquitoes bite her. She would examine their blood for its DNA. A real scientist using Marcy Woods for research.
We are concerned about the many hemlocks found in Marcy’s Woods. On May 15th we lead Sarah Leone, Plant protection inspector scientist, into Marcy’s Woods to look for an important pest of hemlock trees, the Hemlock Wooley Adelgid. Daughter Allison and I had already looked for the tell tale cottony white egg sacs at the end of branches. We found none but we are not scientists. Why so serious? The small aphid-like insects, the Wooly adelgid sucks sap from the needles. For most of its life it is covered by a white, woolly substance that it secretes over its body. They feed primarily on young branches causing cessation of growth. There is a discoloration and premature dropping of needles, the dieback of branches and possible death of the tree in little as one year! Infestation has been found outside of Rochester, New York. That’s not far away - 160 km - 100 miles. We need the least-toxic control when it arrives. Check your home hemlocks.Contact me at
plato1@cogeco.ca to report any local infestations. Thanks.
***
Brock Phd. Student, Aynsley Theilman, followed wife Elaine and I from Marcy Woods to the alvar area off M road on the DiCienzo property. That Thursday, August 6th was mosquito day.
Mosquitos every where! That’s exactly hat Aynsley wanted. In that alvar area
!limestone surface? She wanted to collect mosquito larvae. She believed that these crptic mosquitos were rare. She called me later to say that she was successful. Later she would let mosquitoes bite her. She would examine their blood for its DNA. A real scientist using Marcy Woods for research.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Westward Ho!
Westward VIA Trail Earl Plato
Think big, really big! We travelled VIA Rail to Vancouver and back recently. We were four retired couples from Fort Erie. It was a trip of a lifetime. After a city tour of Vancouver we boarded the ferry for Victoria, Vancouver Island. We would explore this unique and beautiful island for the next five days. In our rented cars we headed north and reached Cathedral Grove. Elaine and I had been there in 1970. We had camped across Canada with our children. The Grove had been one of our highlights. Now here in 2006 we had returned with Fort Erie friends to walk the entire trails. We knew that it was a not-to-be-missed stop on Highway 4 to Port Alberni- a chance to be awed by nature. Think old. At Cathedral Grove there is a wondrous display of 800 year old trees. When Elaine and I were there in 1970 only a few trees were down. We had the children pose on one fallen giant. In January 1997 a severe windstorm damaged many of the ancient Douglas fir giants. There are short trails winding through some of the biggest trees in Canada. One Douglas fir in the South Loop Trail measures over 9 metres in circumference. Think almost 30 feet! Writer‘s note: We thought that Bert Miller’s giant local Tulip tree at Rosehill that measured 161/2 ft. was big. Look up. The tallest tree in Cathedral Grove is a Douglas fir 76 metres high. Amazing! That’s over 200 feet tall!
Among the many fallen trees lush growths of ferns and Red Cedar trees are interspersed in the under story. We walked in a wet area on a bridge made from a fallen Douglas fir. Friend Ken examined the sides of the bridge where the rangers had hewn out openings for the railing supports/ It as a long and strong bridge. Cathedral Grove is only a small part of MacMillan Provincial Park yet it is a most important part. The Park is still restoring other trails as a result of the 1997 storm. Cathedral Grove has been fully restored thankfully.
***
The eight of us sitting in the observation dome of our VIA Rail car looked for animals on our way both west and east. Collectively we saw the following: elks, deer, bisons (buffalo), bear, mountain sheep or goats, beaver, bald eagles, ravens and crows. One of the most exciting views was that of seven mountain sheep beside our stopped train. Led by a large horned ram they made their way up the cliff and posed for us on the way..
Think big, really big! We travelled VIA Rail to Vancouver and back recently. We were four retired couples from Fort Erie. It was a trip of a lifetime. After a city tour of Vancouver we boarded the ferry for Victoria, Vancouver Island. We would explore this unique and beautiful island for the next five days. In our rented cars we headed north and reached Cathedral Grove. Elaine and I had been there in 1970. We had camped across Canada with our children. The Grove had been one of our highlights. Now here in 2006 we had returned with Fort Erie friends to walk the entire trails. We knew that it was a not-to-be-missed stop on Highway 4 to Port Alberni- a chance to be awed by nature. Think old. At Cathedral Grove there is a wondrous display of 800 year old trees. When Elaine and I were there in 1970 only a few trees were down. We had the children pose on one fallen giant. In January 1997 a severe windstorm damaged many of the ancient Douglas fir giants. There are short trails winding through some of the biggest trees in Canada. One Douglas fir in the South Loop Trail measures over 9 metres in circumference. Think almost 30 feet! Writer‘s note: We thought that Bert Miller’s giant local Tulip tree at Rosehill that measured 161/2 ft. was big. Look up. The tallest tree in Cathedral Grove is a Douglas fir 76 metres high. Amazing! That’s over 200 feet tall!
Among the many fallen trees lush growths of ferns and Red Cedar trees are interspersed in the under story. We walked in a wet area on a bridge made from a fallen Douglas fir. Friend Ken examined the sides of the bridge where the rangers had hewn out openings for the railing supports/ It as a long and strong bridge. Cathedral Grove is only a small part of MacMillan Provincial Park yet it is a most important part. The Park is still restoring other trails as a result of the 1997 storm. Cathedral Grove has been fully restored thankfully.
***
The eight of us sitting in the observation dome of our VIA Rail car looked for animals on our way both west and east. Collectively we saw the following: elks, deer, bisons (buffalo), bear, mountain sheep or goats, beaver, bald eagles, ravens and crows. One of the most exciting views was that of seven mountain sheep beside our stopped train. Led by a large horned ram they made their way up the cliff and posed for us on the way..
Friday, July 31, 2009
Bluebirds
NNDec.28.06 Earl Plato
I have received more calls and personal connections this year about our bluebirds than ever before. Groups of ten or more at one time have been sighted in late Fall. To those bird watchers In Fort Erie and environs do you believe the following statement? “Bluebirds have made a promising comeback with the help of man-made nesting boxes.” Several years ago I heard of Rob Eberly and his passionate desire to re-establish blue birds through the placing of bluebird boxes in the area. I came to call him “Mr. Bluebird man” and rightfully so. With Rob’s help and dedication bluebird boxes have appeared throughout our community especially in rural areas where these beautiful birds really thrive. Do bluebirds have more than one nesting in a season in Niagara? Call me at 905 894-2417 or e-mail me plato1@cogeco.ca if you know
***
Dino DiCienzo Jr. informed me in mid-December of an old problem with Marcy’s Woods. ATV’S.! The Bert Miller Nature Club had planted some 500 trees on the sand banks some years ago. Chance of survival? Not much when trespassing ATV’S run their vehicles on the dunes and rip our little plantings out. I quote from Dino Jr.’s e-mail to me, “This fall brought a few ATV’s. We were able to catch two of them. A different ATV rode up and down the dunes numerous times but by the time I got out he was at Sherkston ( I couldn’t find him ).” Note: Dino Jr. made the comment that the ATV use is still low compared to before. Thanks DiCienzos for trying to protect the forested dunes of Marcy Woods. Final word from Dino Jr., “Spring will be here before we know it so let’s get ready for some tours.” Yes, I’m looking forward to those times. I now have a map to help on tours.
***
Two nature questions: Jim Westhouse at Crystal Beach Timmy’s asked me. “Why so less Purple loosestrife in the Town this year?” He’s right. What are the reasons?
Secondly I received calls from two different places in rural Fort Erie about ticks. “Never seen so many ticks before. My dog was covered,” was one callers concern.
Again let me know your comments.
I have received more calls and personal connections this year about our bluebirds than ever before. Groups of ten or more at one time have been sighted in late Fall. To those bird watchers In Fort Erie and environs do you believe the following statement? “Bluebirds have made a promising comeback with the help of man-made nesting boxes.” Several years ago I heard of Rob Eberly and his passionate desire to re-establish blue birds through the placing of bluebird boxes in the area. I came to call him “Mr. Bluebird man” and rightfully so. With Rob’s help and dedication bluebird boxes have appeared throughout our community especially in rural areas where these beautiful birds really thrive. Do bluebirds have more than one nesting in a season in Niagara? Call me at 905 894-2417 or e-mail me plato1@cogeco.ca if you know
***
Dino DiCienzo Jr. informed me in mid-December of an old problem with Marcy’s Woods. ATV’S.! The Bert Miller Nature Club had planted some 500 trees on the sand banks some years ago. Chance of survival? Not much when trespassing ATV’S run their vehicles on the dunes and rip our little plantings out. I quote from Dino Jr.’s e-mail to me, “This fall brought a few ATV’s. We were able to catch two of them. A different ATV rode up and down the dunes numerous times but by the time I got out he was at Sherkston ( I couldn’t find him ).” Note: Dino Jr. made the comment that the ATV use is still low compared to before. Thanks DiCienzos for trying to protect the forested dunes of Marcy Woods. Final word from Dino Jr., “Spring will be here before we know it so let’s get ready for some tours.” Yes, I’m looking forward to those times. I now have a map to help on tours.
***
Two nature questions: Jim Westhouse at Crystal Beach Timmy’s asked me. “Why so less Purple loosestrife in the Town this year?” He’s right. What are the reasons?
Secondly I received calls from two different places in rural Fort Erie about ticks. “Never seen so many ticks before. My dog was covered,” was one callers concern.
Again let me know your comments.
Reflections Spring
Reflections Earl Plato
Reflections. Pleasant memories. What a difference a few warm days this year can make. Warm days and warmer nights in mid-spring can make the difference. On a Tuesday 2009 we headed out mid-morning to Marcy Woods. A faint misting as we took the road through the kennels to The Woods. There they were - a few yellow-headed Coltsfoot’s flowers showing up. Yes, to our left in the wetlands the sound of Chorus frogs. This was going to be a good day. The fine mist kept falling but not enough to deter our mission. That was Marcy pond and hopefully Wood frogs. No Wild leaks yet. A huge nest was to our left a hundred feet in or so. I focused my bird glasses. No globular squirrel nest but a nest well constructed of twigs - Red Tail hawk or a Horned owl? We’ll keep an eye on it. Further along the Lower Trail we saw the buds appearing on the Spice bushes. Soon delicate little yellow flowers will appear on its branches. We spied a single Spring Beauty plant with its delicate little white flowers. We rounded the Lower Trail and headed south toward the pond. We were approaching the pond and I asked for us to be quiet and hear for the frogs. Listen. We could hear the high pitched sounds of the Spring peepers. Not many. Then the sound of the Chorus frogs in greater number. Run your finger over a stiff comb. That’s something like its sound. Then as we approached quietly to the pond. We heard that to many is not a typical frog sound. Two - three - ten - perhaps twenty “quacks”. Yes, the Wood frogs were here. Not too many but Marcy pond once again served as home. I have an excellent slide of a Wood frog but I also sketched one. It started to sprinkle but we continued on to the cabin. Strange to see no seats outside the porch. Our rest seats inside are all gone. No let up in the sprinkle so across the Willwerth bridge we went. Fallen trees - go over or under. Be careful. Down the wet and slippery steps. My old arches were aching. Three things I appreciated this day. Spring unfolding at Marcy Woods; seeing and hearing the Wood frogs once again; and walking with friends and relatives enjoying Marcy Woods. Thank you DiCienzo family.
***
Carl Winger, John Piett, Keith Bailey, and Dave Renshaw. What do they have in common? All recently saw the magnificent Bald eagle in Fort Erie. Dave saw the giant bird off of old Fort Erie. He said that it plunged into the water to retrieve a fish. The Bald eagle has battled back from the threat of extinction because of habitat loss and the pesticide DDT. Welcome back to Fort Erie. Long may you live.
Reflections. Pleasant memories. What a difference a few warm days this year can make. Warm days and warmer nights in mid-spring can make the difference. On a Tuesday 2009 we headed out mid-morning to Marcy Woods. A faint misting as we took the road through the kennels to The Woods. There they were - a few yellow-headed Coltsfoot’s flowers showing up. Yes, to our left in the wetlands the sound of Chorus frogs. This was going to be a good day. The fine mist kept falling but not enough to deter our mission. That was Marcy pond and hopefully Wood frogs. No Wild leaks yet. A huge nest was to our left a hundred feet in or so. I focused my bird glasses. No globular squirrel nest but a nest well constructed of twigs - Red Tail hawk or a Horned owl? We’ll keep an eye on it. Further along the Lower Trail we saw the buds appearing on the Spice bushes. Soon delicate little yellow flowers will appear on its branches. We spied a single Spring Beauty plant with its delicate little white flowers. We rounded the Lower Trail and headed south toward the pond. We were approaching the pond and I asked for us to be quiet and hear for the frogs. Listen. We could hear the high pitched sounds of the Spring peepers. Not many. Then the sound of the Chorus frogs in greater number. Run your finger over a stiff comb. That’s something like its sound. Then as we approached quietly to the pond. We heard that to many is not a typical frog sound. Two - three - ten - perhaps twenty “quacks”. Yes, the Wood frogs were here. Not too many but Marcy pond once again served as home. I have an excellent slide of a Wood frog but I also sketched one. It started to sprinkle but we continued on to the cabin. Strange to see no seats outside the porch. Our rest seats inside are all gone. No let up in the sprinkle so across the Willwerth bridge we went. Fallen trees - go over or under. Be careful. Down the wet and slippery steps. My old arches were aching. Three things I appreciated this day. Spring unfolding at Marcy Woods; seeing and hearing the Wood frogs once again; and walking with friends and relatives enjoying Marcy Woods. Thank you DiCienzo family.
***
Carl Winger, John Piett, Keith Bailey, and Dave Renshaw. What do they have in common? All recently saw the magnificent Bald eagle in Fort Erie. Dave saw the giant bird off of old Fort Erie. He said that it plunged into the water to retrieve a fish. The Bald eagle has battled back from the threat of extinction because of habitat loss and the pesticide DDT. Welcome back to Fort Erie. Long may you live.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sketch in Nature. Why not?
The Garrison Road School Gang, all five of us and our wives, just came back on September 21st last year from the Thousand Islands of the St.Lawrwnce River.. We took the three hour boat tour. Beautiful weather and a most beautiful setting. We passed the nests of one of my favourite birds, the osprey. That’s my drawing below. Here is a flashback article.
Like to draw birds? I’ve got the perfect place. It’s the second floor of the Buffalo Museum of Science. Take your sketch pad and find an appropriate mounted bird specie and take a seat. I chose an osprey perched on a branch. ( I added the fish). I have visited this ornithological section many times over the years. It’s a usually quiet place. The late Fort Erie naturalist, Bert Miller, encouraged me to draw birds. I was only ten years old and that early start stayed. I still sketch when I am alone. Encourage your children to sketch in nature, why not?
Like to draw birds? I’ve got the perfect place. It’s the second floor of the Buffalo Museum of Science. Take your sketch pad and find an appropriate mounted bird specie and take a seat. I chose an osprey perched on a branch. ( I added the fish). I have visited this ornithological section many times over the years. It’s a usually quiet place. The late Fort Erie naturalist, Bert Miller, encouraged me to draw birds. I was only ten years old and that early start stayed. I still sketch when I am alone. Encourage your children to sketch in nature, why not?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
2009 Marcy Woods has been Saved!
Marcy Woods. That’s a place dear to many of us. I have been “Marcyized”. My little office is replete with shots of the precious woods. I have my favourite pics enlarged and plaqued. There’s the cabin, two of my grand daughters sitting in a bed of Marcy trilliums, the pristine lake front, the bridge, the twin oaks of he Lower Trail, the Marcy steps to the higher level, and many more adorn the walls. Friend, Neil Reichelt, made a little sign for me to put on the wall, Marcy Woods 1985-2002. Why 2002?
I visited Marcy Woods (Abino Woods) with the late Fort Erie naturalist Bert Miller as a ten year old kid. I was with him when he transplanted Wild ginger at the base of some of those trees. The years passed. Then in 1985 I met Dr. George Marcy on the Halloway Bay Road. He invited me to sign in at the farm and tour the woods. Friend, Tim Seburn, told me shortly after to ramble Marcy (Abino) Woods as he had been doing. He said, “You’ll love it.” I did and a love affair for me began with a special place, Marcy Woods.
Why 2002? I thought we, the nature loving public, had lost the Woods that year. Spring 2003 will bring the answer. Theres’s room for more than 100 plus Marcy Woods lovers on Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m.
Where? In Stevensville, at the Fort Erie Conservation Club, 2555 Ott Road. Bob McDonald of CBC’s “Quirks and Quarks” will speak. Bertie Elementary students, who made the excellent video on Marcy Woods, will be recognized along with political dignitaries who have supported the purchase of this Carolinian gem.
Marcy Woods has been saved - Great news here in 2009
The DiCienzos of Niagara Falls purchased the Woods and are preserving it. Yes, I still arrange for walks once again.
I visited Marcy Woods (Abino Woods) with the late Fort Erie naturalist Bert Miller as a ten year old kid. I was with him when he transplanted Wild ginger at the base of some of those trees. The years passed. Then in 1985 I met Dr. George Marcy on the Halloway Bay Road. He invited me to sign in at the farm and tour the woods. Friend, Tim Seburn, told me shortly after to ramble Marcy (Abino) Woods as he had been doing. He said, “You’ll love it.” I did and a love affair for me began with a special place, Marcy Woods.
Why 2002? I thought we, the nature loving public, had lost the Woods that year. Spring 2003 will bring the answer. Theres’s room for more than 100 plus Marcy Woods lovers on Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m.
Where? In Stevensville, at the Fort Erie Conservation Club, 2555 Ott Road. Bob McDonald of CBC’s “Quirks and Quarks” will speak. Bertie Elementary students, who made the excellent video on Marcy Woods, will be recognized along with political dignitaries who have supported the purchase of this Carolinian gem.
Marcy Woods has been saved - Great news here in 2009
The DiCienzos of Niagara Falls purchased the Woods and are preserving it. Yes, I still arrange for walks once again.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Snakes Anyone?
Snakes Anyone? Earl Plato
What continues to fascinate an almost five year old little girl? As parents and grandparents you would probably say dolls. Not so entirely with Ashlyn. This little granddaughter loves nature - bugs, worms and yes, snakes! Her parents watched in amazement as she latched onto the tail of a garter snake as it entered its burrow. Ashlyn pulled and pulled. She wanted to see the snake up close. The snake won out. No fear only curiosity for her. Let’s not dampen this gift of learning about new things but temper it with good advice. Not all snakes appreciate a pull on their tail! This article is about an ugly but relatively harmless snake found in Niagara. It’s the Northern water snake. I say ugly but late naturalist, Ed Teale, said, “a rather pretty banded reptile.” I have met the water snake as a youth at the Plato pond on Bertie Road and recently on Point Pelee Island. It’s not attractive to me. I remember cousin Sam yelling out, “It’s a water moccasin!” Sorry Sam, no water moccasins ever existed naturally in Niagara but we all reacted. “Try to stone it!” The water snake will strike repeatedly at you when cornered. It is often killed because of this defensive reaction. No, it’s not poisonous but can inflict a puncture that bleeds freely. This snake has an anticoagulant quality to its saliva. I remember Johnny showing us his bitten finger as the blood flowed freely. Ashlyn, avoid any snake that does not flee and tries to strike at you. Yes, even a garter snake can coil as it tries to defend itself. Be curious but be careful. In May look for this snake around area ponds. Ed Teale, who lives on about the same latitude as us, wrote the following in early may back then: “Up until yesterday we had one resident water snake in our pond. ... yesterday morning I saw it had been joined by a stranger. By noon a second newcomer had made its appearance. By evening a third had arrived. This May pond is a rendezvous, a mating place, that has drawn water snakes from the surrounding area. ... our snake is a female, thick bodied, older, and almost black in colour. The males are younger, brighter, more reddish in hue. ... the males try to mate with the one female without any evidence of fighting among themselves. Next dawn we will see only one, the resident female.” My memory as a youth says that that ugly, thick bodied, black snake at Plato pond was a female water snake. If you have a reptile guide look it up. Check your snakes around our May ponds. Let me know if you see any Northern water snakes.
What continues to fascinate an almost five year old little girl? As parents and grandparents you would probably say dolls. Not so entirely with Ashlyn. This little granddaughter loves nature - bugs, worms and yes, snakes! Her parents watched in amazement as she latched onto the tail of a garter snake as it entered its burrow. Ashlyn pulled and pulled. She wanted to see the snake up close. The snake won out. No fear only curiosity for her. Let’s not dampen this gift of learning about new things but temper it with good advice. Not all snakes appreciate a pull on their tail! This article is about an ugly but relatively harmless snake found in Niagara. It’s the Northern water snake. I say ugly but late naturalist, Ed Teale, said, “a rather pretty banded reptile.” I have met the water snake as a youth at the Plato pond on Bertie Road and recently on Point Pelee Island. It’s not attractive to me. I remember cousin Sam yelling out, “It’s a water moccasin!” Sorry Sam, no water moccasins ever existed naturally in Niagara but we all reacted. “Try to stone it!” The water snake will strike repeatedly at you when cornered. It is often killed because of this defensive reaction. No, it’s not poisonous but can inflict a puncture that bleeds freely. This snake has an anticoagulant quality to its saliva. I remember Johnny showing us his bitten finger as the blood flowed freely. Ashlyn, avoid any snake that does not flee and tries to strike at you. Yes, even a garter snake can coil as it tries to defend itself. Be curious but be careful. In May look for this snake around area ponds. Ed Teale, who lives on about the same latitude as us, wrote the following in early may back then: “Up until yesterday we had one resident water snake in our pond. ... yesterday morning I saw it had been joined by a stranger. By noon a second newcomer had made its appearance. By evening a third had arrived. This May pond is a rendezvous, a mating place, that has drawn water snakes from the surrounding area. ... our snake is a female, thick bodied, older, and almost black in colour. The males are younger, brighter, more reddish in hue. ... the males try to mate with the one female without any evidence of fighting among themselves. Next dawn we will see only one, the resident female.” My memory as a youth says that that ugly, thick bodied, black snake at Plato pond was a female water snake. If you have a reptile guide look it up. Check your snakes around our May ponds. Let me know if you see any Northern water snakes.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Bird calls
Nature article by Earl Plato
“teacher-teacher-teacher” That was what we heard deep into a wetlands with knee boots. Naturalist Ernie Giles, Debbie a botanist and me a nature lover sloshed along. South of Niagara Falls is an extensive wetlands called Willougby Marsh. No visible trails. Ernie our fauna and flora expert stopped. There we three marvelled at the tallest Jack-in-the-Pulpit I had ever seen. Almost four feet tall! A Cooper’s hak soared over on this bright but very humid day. It was late June. Ernie Giles the complete naturalist. Keen eyesight, keen hearing and a wealth of knowledge makes up this man. Ernie stopped. He heard scratching sounds. He motioned to Debbie and I to stop. Look below. That was what we saw. An ovenbird was emerging from its nest. My first. This warbler gets it name from its peculiar ground nest. What we saw that day resembled a miniature Dutch oven. The ovenbird is olive-brown above and white below with dark streaks. Some call it a wood warbler. Ernie smiled at us two teachers. “Do you know its call?” it’s a loud staccato song - “teacher, teacher, teacher.”
We watched as the ovenbird oblivious to us entered its side entrance. A neat bird for this old teacher.
***
“Peter, Peter, Peter” That was a familiar call. I walked down the lane at Bruce Beach on the Lake Huron shore. Across the road in a thicket I recognized the call of a Tuffted titmouse.This sparrow-sized social bird adopted us on this last week ofuly of 2009.
Loud and clear just outside our beach cabin came the morning greeting - “Peter, Peter, Peter” Another neat bird. Look it up if you don’t know it.
“teacher-teacher-teacher” That was what we heard deep into a wetlands with knee boots. Naturalist Ernie Giles, Debbie a botanist and me a nature lover sloshed along. South of Niagara Falls is an extensive wetlands called Willougby Marsh. No visible trails. Ernie our fauna and flora expert stopped. There we three marvelled at the tallest Jack-in-the-Pulpit I had ever seen. Almost four feet tall! A Cooper’s hak soared over on this bright but very humid day. It was late June. Ernie Giles the complete naturalist. Keen eyesight, keen hearing and a wealth of knowledge makes up this man. Ernie stopped. He heard scratching sounds. He motioned to Debbie and I to stop. Look below. That was what we saw. An ovenbird was emerging from its nest. My first. This warbler gets it name from its peculiar ground nest. What we saw that day resembled a miniature Dutch oven. The ovenbird is olive-brown above and white below with dark streaks. Some call it a wood warbler. Ernie smiled at us two teachers. “Do you know its call?” it’s a loud staccato song - “teacher, teacher, teacher.”
We watched as the ovenbird oblivious to us entered its side entrance. A neat bird for this old teacher.
***
“Peter, Peter, Peter” That was a familiar call. I walked down the lane at Bruce Beach on the Lake Huron shore. Across the road in a thicket I recognized the call of a Tuffted titmouse.This sparrow-sized social bird adopted us on this last week ofuly of 2009.
Loud and clear just outside our beach cabin came the morning greeting - “Peter, Peter, Peter” Another neat bird. Look it up if you don’t know it.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
A Special Breakfast
Trail Wood #123 Earl Plato
A special June Breakfast at Teale’s
“ a green bowl accompanies me down he slope to the edge of the pond this morning, I am off to gather wild food for our breakfast.
At Cattail Corner I halt beside a stand of the green sword leaves and upright stalks. At this season of the year each stalk supports two closely packed masses of flowers. The lower, the female flowers. resembling an elongated greenish-brown sausage comprises
the female flowers. The upper, now yellow with the pollen that will descend’ in a fertilizing shower over the pistil late blooms below, is formed of the male flowers. The familiar brown cattail heads of fall and winter with their thousands of densely packed seeds with silken filaments attached result from the fertilization taking place on theses June days.”
What’s with Ed Teale’s bowl and breakfast?
A special June Breakfast at Teale’s
“ a green bowl accompanies me down he slope to the edge of the pond this morning, I am off to gather wild food for our breakfast.
At Cattail Corner I halt beside a stand of the green sword leaves and upright stalks. At this season of the year each stalk supports two closely packed masses of flowers. The lower, the female flowers. resembling an elongated greenish-brown sausage comprises
the female flowers. The upper, now yellow with the pollen that will descend’ in a fertilizing shower over the pistil late blooms below, is formed of the male flowers. The familiar brown cattail heads of fall and winter with their thousands of densely packed seeds with silken filaments attached result from the fertilization taking place on theses June days.”
What’s with Ed Teale’s bowl and breakfast?
The Green Bowl
Trail Wood #123 Earl Plato
A special June Breakfast at Teale’s
‘ a green bowl accompanies me down he slope to the edge of the pond this morning, I am off to gather wild food for our breakfast.
At Cattail Corner I halt beside a stand of the green sword leaves and upright stalks. At this season of the year each stalk supports two closely packed masses of flowers. The lower, the female flowers. resembling an elongated greenish-brown sausage comprises
the female flowers. The upper, now yellow with the pollen that will descend’ in a fertilizing shower over the pistil late blooms below, is formed of the male flowers. The familiar brown cattail heads of fall and winter with their thousands of densely packed seeds with silken filaments attached result from the fertilization taking place on theses June days.”
What’s with Ed Teale’s green bowl and breakfast?
A special June Breakfast at Teale’s
‘ a green bowl accompanies me down he slope to the edge of the pond this morning, I am off to gather wild food for our breakfast.
At Cattail Corner I halt beside a stand of the green sword leaves and upright stalks. At this season of the year each stalk supports two closely packed masses of flowers. The lower, the female flowers. resembling an elongated greenish-brown sausage comprises
the female flowers. The upper, now yellow with the pollen that will descend’ in a fertilizing shower over the pistil late blooms below, is formed of the male flowers. The familiar brown cattail heads of fall and winter with their thousands of densely packed seeds with silken filaments attached result from the fertilization taking place on theses June days.”
What’s with Ed Teale’s green bowl and breakfast?
Saturday, June 13, 2009
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