Site Discussions

Many years ago, I approached a flock of crows feeding at a sewage plant. I was carrying a single shot .22 rifle.  The look-out bird gave the alarm and they all disappeared. Later, I approached the same area where the same gang of crows were feeding (perhaps), and I was carrying a wooden look-alike to my .22 rifle.  Not a single bird moved until I was within 20 feet of them.  I repeated this test several times with the same results.

Everyone seems to see mountain lions in Vermont, so where are all the photos? Everyone has a cell phone today that you can video with. Lets see the proof.

1/2/2016, 5:30 pm, I went outside and saw a opossum in my back yard eating the old dog food my husband threw out earlier.  I watch it and it went under a tarp that covers my fire pit and glider, which is also near our bird feeder.  I came onto this site to see if it was dangerous to my dog but I guess not so I’ll choke it up to just another one of God’s critters living here.

I bought 40 acres a little more than 20 years ago. At that time I had about six Black Birch trees. A forester friend walked my woods and was supersized to see these trees. He said he had not seen these anywhere around. Six years later I have my forest logged but those were spared. As my woodland started to grow back the Black Birch really took over. I like the trees but want more than just allot of Black Birch. I think I will allow them to fight for the light and after many die from lack of sun I think I will cut and replace with Black Walnut. How big do these need to be to have a value?

Hi there,

I found a mourning dove sitting on the snow covered ground this morning.  Still alive, but it did not flee, despite my leashed dog.  The bird seemed cold so I brought it in, thinking it would soon die.  To my surprise, it seems to be sleeping/recuperating.  I have no bird experience and am willing to help the bird through the winter if necessary. 

I would like advice or at least a resource for care and feeding.  Thank you

I live in Atlanta, GA. A 40 ft tall pecan tree (related to hickory) in my neighbor’s back yard was decorated with what I thought was a bioluminescent fungus for a few days beginning December 26, 2015.  It was warm (72 F) rainy, damp weather. The tree had 25-30 little (1-2”) blue/green Christmas lights in the tree.

I believe I have a shrew living in my house. At first I thought it was a regular mouse, but then I got a good look at it.  It’s approximately 3 inches long, dark in colour, and appears not to have a tail.  It’s very bold and loves my dog’s food.  I have been unsuccessful trapping with regular mouse traps.  Any suggestions?

We found the Chaga on our yellow birch trees. We used a ladder as Chaga is usually pretty high in the trees. Cone shaped Chaga is easier to saw off than the wider mass type we also found. Once this is dried and broken up for grinding, I put the fine powder in a tea infuser, and set that inside the coffer maker on top of the fresh grounds, so we could benefit from it’s magical properties. I save the Chaga stuffed infuser leftovers, using it each morning for about a week before either throwing the used wet powder into a nut bread recipe or soup. Today I am cutting up the polypores and will use them as a tincture or make a salve for my face or for a wound cream. My sister threw some slices in her vegetable soup and said they smelled so good cooking. Then she tried a bite of the polypore, and she instantly puckered up stating it was very, very bitter, similar to ear wax! lol

What a hoot!  Very well done. Laugh-riot comes to mind.  :>}

Hello, I found a garter snake basking in the heat of our wood stove in the basement. I left out water but am unsure of what else to do. She or he hides in the 3 cords of wood down there. Can I just leave her be or should I provide some nourishment like earthworms? Thank you for your time.

We saw what we assume is this, but it was high up on the small branches of a living tree. Is that the same stuff?

Michael - not sure if you are still following up on these comments - so here goes.

Do you have information on how long it takes for a temperate tree (conifer or deciduous) to achieve dormancy prior to winter? I ask with respect to the particularly warm winter we are having in Europe and N.America right now and the effect that might have on bonsai trees which are kept outside during the winter.

Thanks in advance.

If the trees count chill hours which don’t reach their target until sometime in January, why are our maple and box elder trees in full bloom now just after Christmas?

I’ve heard of this subspecies many years ago… in fact I am pretty sure I saw foot prints in the snow when I was 8… and I forgot about this animal for decades.

Very informative paper, thanks!

For an interesting view on the shamanic origins of flying reindeer and other aspects of Christmas check out this link.  You might not look at red mushrooms the same way.

Love this article!  Merry Christmas!

My home was built in 1908 and my staircase and downstairs trim is completely covered with burled Pine. I can only imagine how long it took to gather enough to decorate my home.  Just makes me appreciate it even more!

Very useful article, having spent the last several months on my farm rewalking the forested boundaries with my survey. I saw all of the things you wrote about. Now is my chance to do some blazing.

My Dad showed me how to split wood when in my early teens. We used an eight pound sledge hammer, we called it a “maul” and steel wedges.We had a couple of 30 foot Chinese Elm trees to work on, felled by high winds. Some of the larger pieces took three wedges.

I thought I was a latter day Abe Lincoln, or Jethro Bodine!

I looked out the window on my parents farm and saw what looked like German Shepherds crossing the field. I watched carefully because it is unusual to see neighbors’ dogs loose on other people’s property. They raise cattle in Mid-Missouri and loose dogs are not welcome. There were 2 of them, probably mates, and as they got closer, they looked more like coyotes, with a somewhat gangly gait. As they walked right across from the porch, I couldn’t tell if they were wolves or coyotes. They were clearly just passing through. My father told me that he had seen what looked like wolves there too, but in theory, they don’t exist in Mid-Missouri.