Posts tagged ‘Wildlife’

October 11th, 2011

Common Eiders and Hiking at Blomidon Provincial Park

On Saturday, the Ryan and I drove to the Valley for an untraditional Thanksgiving. Instead of stuffing ourselvessilly and lounging around all day we went on a 10km hike at Blomidon Provincial Park to work up an appetite.

 

To enjoy the views the park has to offer (from 600 feet high cliffs), we hiked up Jodrey Trail, continued on to The Look-off Trail, The Woodland Trail, and about half of the Borden Brook Trail which crosses the park’s road at about midway and we continued downhill from  there to the parking lot. The incline was hard on the knees, but the road is closed in the off-season, so you can’t avoid it if you want to access the rest of the trails. The trails are clearly marked with maps posted throughout, but the trails are still narrow and natural (which I like). I would say that with the inclines, declines, and rooty paths, the hike is moderately challenging (some of our crew were a bit more pooped than others!). In the winter the trails are popular with cross-country skiers and snowshoers. 

We had perfect hiking weather, warm, but with a breeze. There are parts of the forest that are all maple trees, it is quite spectacular. I got some more wild plant pictures to add to my Wild Plants of Nova Scotia page which I will update later this week. I also spotted some seedy black bear scat and coyote scat.  At one of the look off points we watched a hawk or an young eagle soaring below us. The bird moved to fast for me to zero in on him with my binoculars for proper identification. However, we saw a flock of what I believe are common eiders, a striking seaduck. From our high standpoint, these birds looked like nothing more than water bugs floating on the surface of the sea, but with the binoculars we could make out that distinguishing duck shape and the black and white coloring (the females are brown). Even with the binoculars you can see that they are accomplished divers—diving up to depths of 20m to feed on mollusks and crustaceans including mussels, clams, scallops and urchins. Common eiders overwinter on the coast of Nova Scotia and are the largest sea duck in North America.

The best picture we could get of the common eiders.

 

(source)

 Do you see the troll’s face in this rock formation . . . makes you wonder . . .

My mother posted about the hike here.

I’ll do a separate post on the plants we saw so check back soon!

CategoryAutumn, Beaches, Birds, Hiking, Nova Scotia, Trails, Travel, Wildlife | Comment4 Comments »

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September 1st, 2011

Walking the Hedge

I’m a bit fascinated with hedges. So much so that I even have a few hedge witch books on my bookshelf (1, 2, 3)–purely for research purposes . . . or is it! I even started to write a fantasy novel where the hedge plays a major role in the plot (still working on it—don’t expect it anytime soon), but I’m no hedge monkey, although some of them make pretty music.

Hedges are a diverse habitat for many woodland species; sadly, hedges are sometimes the only environment left for these species, which is why there is a movement in Britain to protect them. Natural hedges are formed from wind-dispersed seeds and the seeds in bird droppings. There are generally shrubs and trees, too. Overtime, these plants grow thick; get interspersed with vines, brambles, and wildflowers. This ecosystem provides food, shelter, nesting and denning sites for a variety of wildlife. Acting as corridors, they also offer safe passage for wildlife (or perhaps even elves and faeries!) In folklore, the hedgerow was one of the boundaries between the human world and the spirit world.

For those who find themselves of the human persuasion, hedges muffle sound, make good wind breaks, and provide privacy,  foraging opportunities, as well as being pretty to look at. I personally enjoy watching the birds and bees fly about.

I spend a lot of “garden time” (similar to “me time”) exploring the hedge. The former owners mowed the lawn right to the edge of the woods. We’re too lazy for that, and so a hedge has begun to grow in its place. I’m learning about the plants growing there, and how to maintain and help the hedge develop. For example, I have some Mountain Ashes—a protective, magical tree—that stand in the back. In these areas I would like to clean up the hedge a bit, put in a stone path up to the trees and a little sitting area so I can spend time with them and not worry about ticks and thorns. I would plant a variety of native woodland species in the surrounding area. For my hedges in general, I would also like to plant more native shrubs and trees to improve upon the diversity in a few different spots—the rest I will let develop naturally. If the native plants have food or medicinal uses as well, all the better.

Just a few of the plants growing in my hedges:

Northern Wild Raisin

Mountain Ash

Golden Rod

Evening Primrose

Wild Rose

Yarrow

Asters

Old apple trees

Brambles (blackberries and raspberries)

For more information, see my resources:

http://www.ofnc.ca/fletcher/howto/hthedge_e.php

http://www.hedgerowharvest.org.uk/

http://www.opalexplorenature.org/HedgesFactandFolklore

http://www.opalexplorenature.org/sites/default/files/7/file/Top-10-hedge-tips.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge

CategoryFolklore, Gardening, Wildflowers, Wildlife | Comment2 Comments »

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August 25th, 2011

Finches Are My Gurus

“What’s the secret to your happiness?” I asked my yellow-robed gurus the other day. They did not stop to answer, but instead kept their secret mantra going as they danced through the air and played hide and seek amongst the vegetables. Apparently they don’t give much thought to such questions.  

(source)

 Goldfinches are associated with nature spirits. Since they are usually permanent residents, where they make their home there is likely elves and fairies to be found! They must be living in the untamed hedgerows around my property. At least I like to think so.

CategoryBirds, Wildlife | Comment3 Comments »

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August 21st, 2011

Storm Clouds Rolling In and Other Backyard Events

A shot of storm clouds (bringing thunder and rain) coming in quickly. Run to get the laundry off the line.

That’s part of my backyard, and you can see my row of 18 highbush blueberries.

The storm was yesturday. It didn’t hit until suppertime so I was able to dig up my bearded irises to divide. Today I planted the extra 12 rhizomes in a new bed. I love free plants–from your own plants or from other people dividing up theirs.

Look what I dug up in the process:

Yellow-spotted Salamander

I was really exicted to find some Indian Pipe! I’ve been on the look out for it since seeing it in one of my wildflower books. And guess what, I found it in my backyard along the edge of the woods. Looks like fungi doesn’t it! I’ll have to check this spot early next year and see if I see the blooms (they’re over now).

Indian Pipe In August

In case you haven’t noticed, I started working on my Wild Plants of Nova Scotia page. Check it out.

Blueberry crisp is ready so I must go eat:)

CategoryGardening, Nova Scotia, Wildflowers, Wildlife | Comment4 Comments »

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August 16th, 2011

Playing with Cedar Waxwings

(photo source)

Blisschick recently wrote about the importance of play in our adult lives. At first I thought, no problem there, I play all the time. But then I started to really think about it. Turns out, I don’t play has much as I thought. Yes, I take the time to pursue hobbies that interest me, but they are usually tackled with a sense of improvement or accomplishment. THAT, is not play. When was the last time you forgot yourself and completely got lost in the moment and pure attitude of play? At least I can think of a few recent examples for myself, but it is far from a daily or weekly experience. I lost myself when playing in the waves at  Melmerby Beach. This week, while I was yet again in a bathing suit, I was invited to play by a group of Cedar Waxwings. I was in a secluded spot on the lake, trying to meditate, but my thoughts were too busy criticizing myself (being in a bathing suit can do that to a lady). Then I noticed these birds flying acrobatically, back and forth, between the trees and a string of large rocks that dotted the edge of the lake. For awhile I made their activities my meditation. Slowly I began to forget about myself and got up for a closer look. I joined their play on the rocks and squealed with delight as they flew close to me, one almost crash landing into me a few times. One waxwing flew in from behind, apparently taking me for a rock, and was about to land on my head, but the sudden sound of flapping wings spooked me and I moved, causing the bird to land nearby instead. They are beautiful birds. I read in Animal Speak that waxwings remind us be gentle with ourselves, and that is the magic that group of birds worked on me that afternoon.  

How often do you truly play?

CategoryBirds, Wildlife | Comment2 Comments »

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