Site Discussions

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed your article on Mary Holland. I have known Mary since our days as fledgling environmental educators in Vermont. She has continued to hone her creative talents as an educator bringing her sharp eye for photography and her ability to write clearly and concisely about the natural world around us. Who else would find such excitement in the discovery of, “red raspberry slime mold!”

Mary- I really enjoy your blog posts and books, it is nice to read more about your process. Thank you for your fine work! And hurrah for beavers! We are surrounded by them, so great.

I love Mary’s work and look forward to her blog updates.  Naturally curious is the perfect thing for a classroom teacher to share with students, and I have for years (especially the day by day).  She’s a treasure and we are lucky to have her as a resource!

Lived in Sunapee, NH, extensive gardens, fields, & woods.  Now @ RiverWoods (CCRC) in Exeter, where I share every “Naturally Curious” with fellow members of our Forest and Trails committee.  (Our campus is designated as one of the 2 NH Arboretums.)  My late son, disabled by a rare gene passed to him through his adoptive mother, lived in Weston, MA with his wife & 2 sons.  The “Rail Tail” is close to their late 1800’s home.  For over a decade, I took my grandsons (and their dog) on walks during my weekly visit and inevitably spent a LOT of time at the beaver ponds.  I cannot thank you enough for sharing your expertise and photographs.

Mary,  you are such an inspiration and an amazing source of information.  Thank you!!

Thanks Peter for this edifying article. It filled a gap in my knowledge of trees.
Aleta