Site Discussions

I have two very large ant colonies one is at least 4’ or more diameter.  They are on the edges of our wild blue berry field. I would love to know more about them. Are they good for the environment? We are in Twin Mountain NH.

Great story, we have a grouse that’s been sticking around for about 2 years now. I have a lot of pictures.

I have been observing Great Blue Herons at a nearby beaver-made pond over these last few years, nesting in a tree with ten-eleven platforms; I think it has been an established rookery for many years. I’ve been wondering if adults watch over/protect clutches of their tree-mates while they hunt in turn..? The comments from the person above makes me wonder, though, if some of the nine birds I thought were adults were actually juveniles. Approximately when would a first clutch of a pair of Great Blue Herons have hatched in W.MA? Thanks for your thoughts!

Very educational. Thank you!

I found a Luna moth on my porch. 30 miles north of Houston. Exciting to see & read about. I let it fly away.

Great story. I am jealous.

Such a uplifting article! The rich descriptions are complimented by the beautiful photographs. Reading this feels like taking a deep breath of a spring forest; satisfying, rich and familiar.
Thank you!

I loved this inspiring story of a well lived life. I grew up in Alabama in a very rural area where I spent much of my time playing and exploring in the woods. I moved to New England at age 23 and continued my exploration of the outdoors in the White Mountains. Even now, at 78, I still need my nature fix and get back out into the woods as often as possible. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

When I see these cellar holes, I often think of the woman who have just finished making curtains for her home.  In comes her husband who says, “Pack up. I’m sick of these rocks.  We’re going to Ohio.”  Think of the stories in these cellar holes.

Wonderful piece about defending our Maine forests for decades.  Really inspiring.
Thank you, Karen for all your hard work and perseverance.

Wonderfull article about a committed and enduring advocate for Maine and it’s Outdoor Heritage. Years ago I had the opportunity to work with Karen when I served with the Downeast Lakes Land Trust. She left an indelible impression on all of us. Her hard work, understanding of the process and guidance, contributed immensely to the success of our conservation goals. Karen helped lay the foundation to what became a model template for locally-driven and administered land conservative projects. Thank you Karen, a part of your legacy will always be Downeast.

I would be sad to live somewhere without these delightful little lizards.  I’ve managed to somewhat tame the ones that hang around my house.  They eat out of my hand and a couple of them will climb on my hands. Sone will even come and bump my foot with their heads if I don’t notice them because I’m reading when it’s feeding time. They’re awesome little friends.

I have numerous game photos of bobcats and personal sightings but have never seen or photographed more than one.  I attribute the growing population to the increase in eastern turkeys in the area.  They seem to have replaced the snowshoe hare as the bobcat’s primary staple.

Several years ago in late winter at Quabbin Reservoir Reservation, about 50’ from a river, there was a cached beaver that had been freshly killed and fed on by a bobcat. The beaver’s blood was still red, and the cat had covered it with a bit of duff after having consuming what it could. The medium sized beaver cache had too much meat for one sitting. There was little evidence of a struggle-likely the bobcat had surprised it. Beavers are vulnerable to predators on land.

I have been watching a Bobcat all winter catching squirrels and Chipmunks in the rock ledge that makes up the backyard.  I saw no sign of deer over the winter and I’m curious what else he/she may be eating.  It’s been a joy watching it.

The blue heron‘s in my backyard were hatched on or about February 8, 2022. They are almost as big as the adult Herons. The adults seem to be coming around less and less and leaving the chicks on their own. The chicks just stand in their large nest all day long. They regularly flap their wings and I think they are going to take off but they don’t. Do the Adult Herons abandon the chicks and expect them to fend for themselves after a certain American of time? One of the adults returned this morning to the center of the nest and when the chicks were squawking for food, the adult seeming ignored them and looked like it was pushing them away. I can see these birds from several rooms in my house so notice what’s going on daily. They aren’t going to starve are they???

Very nice and really informational blog, I was making a floodmap on CivilGEO GeoHECRAS when I thought about searching for floodplains. I’m glad I came here.

I am your cousin Stuart’s daughter. Loved reading your article. Mom always said that Grandmother Rankin was sent to North Carolina because there were so many battles for the Civil War in Tennessee. Her father sent her to Asheville for her safety.

I loved this essay! What an inspiring career and approach to life. Made me feel hopeful and also like I need to put up a bird feeder! (and get my kids out in the forest as much as possible, which I am trying to do)

Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication.  Now I know why you know every plant and bird imaginable.  Your career was incredible!!