Site Discussions

Hello Susan,  I loved your article, mainly because I have lived it.  An old farmhouse might as well hang out a sign that reads ‘Mouse B&B here’ I think that mice are some of the most beautiful creatures around. But not in my house. Like you, it took me time to get to the point of snap trapping them. But we had to. You have my sympathy. We have down sized to a smaller modular home in the past 2 years…It has no mice. I heave a sigh of relief every time I think about it.

I think of the leaflets as having a thumb and when I lead fern walks, I alway refer to the “thumb” as an identifying feature.

Great article! We have 3 breeding sets of loons on Suncook lakes! So interesting to watch them

Nice article. Of the more than 100 species of edible native (to the Northeast) plants in my nursery, I see the greatest quantity and variety of insects visiting the flowers of my Broad-leaved Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) plants.

As a former groomer and as a dog owner, I have dealt with many dog/skunk encounters. I use an all purpose grease cutting cleanser sprayed onto the dog. Having the dog in a wire crate facilitates this process. By spraying the cleanser onto the coat, you aren’t getting it down to the skin. I let it soak for at least 30 minutes and then shampoo as normally. Most of the time, the odor is gone and not detectable when it rains.

I’ve lived in Lancaster, New Hampshire, the past eleven years and have seen fisher’s on occasion. None in the past two years though, the past two years have seen the bobcat population growing. Very nice article, thank you!

Thank you for that. Great Article.

I liked the article very much. I’m a big animal person and it was interesting to read. Yet the hunting part I did not like that much, but other than that it was amazing!

Beautiful.

Interesting!  Nary an acorn to be seen in Newbury this year - and that’s after last year’s late spring freeze that caused a ‘no mast’ year in ‘23, as well.

I’ve seen chipmunks carry quite a big load, but a “dozen acorns”????

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Thanks for opening my eyes to the boxelder.

I enjoy these little pieces thoroughly; I cannot imagine why anyone would want to harass a writer!???? Thank you so much for making this time of year so interesting!

Thank you so much for this lovely article!  I learned a bit more about these wonderful little creatures. However, I have to say that I have really enjoyed seeing our skunks periodically on our property over the last 10 years. I don’t mind at all that they den under our house.  And forage near our ridiculous $600 specialty built compost bin, even digging a hole under it!  The several that have gone down to our campsite with our Airbnb Guests apparently have no problem visiting while they’re cooking dinner and they’ve never threatened to spray which is so charming! Just minding their own business going after grubs… I don’t consider them an annoyance at all and I am grateful that our property is a haven for skunks, porcupine, raccoon, mink, fisher cat, deer and bear. As well as the chipmunks, Barred Owls, squirrels and a host of incredibly wonderful songbirds!

I read this aloud to my husband. Beautiful writing, and we learned some good skunk facts to know!

Yikes, I just cut one of these junk trees down. Now that I know they are foods for birds I’ll think twice next time. Nice story!

My Dad raises Elk in South East Iowa (Wildlife Lakes Elk Farm). He has produced thousands of Elk in the past 20+ years and they have gone to places all over the US. They are beautiful animals and a very healthy, high protein, low fat meat. I can understand them being killed but never understood just killing for that point. Kill what you eat.

Great message. We are still reeling from a 13 inch storm in July 2023. Slowing the flow with fallen logs and branches, then allowing the forest to take care.

What a wonderful article!  Many details about petrichor I never knew before. Thanks for this, Ms. Mirus and Northern Woodlands.

I have known Mary since her time in Dorset and at Dorset Elementary School.  Our children’s lives were enriched and their curiosity about nature forever piqued. How well we remember ‘ELF’ classes.  I believe that as a class ‘helper’, I learned as much as our children and have continued with my love of nature and all that it offers.  Thank you always, Mary.