Site Discussions

Article was very interesting and informative for me.  Thank you! For number of years I’ve wondered why the Blue Jays don’t show up here until the fall but in such large numbers. I have about 20 of them in front of my house in the fall and winter eating the acorns from our oak tree. They are aggressive but I think they are a pretty bird as well. It’s nice to have this awareness.

Professor Haskell,
Recent observations of the architecture,variable annual growth on branches and leaders and number of branches per whorl on Balsam Fir regeneration led me to the conclusion that there had to be some communication between parts of the seedlings, to maintain the optimum allocation of resources in variable light conditions. Your well written research findings made my day.

Sincerely, Jim Saunders, Professional Forester

Since I read Norwegian Wood, I’m hooked.  Wood stove install is 8-12 weeks away, but I’ve hand-split 2-3 cords in the back yards ranging from 18 months to 18 hours of seasoning.  The anticipation is excruciating.  Good read.

The fact that we (nonnative) Europeans have neglected to teach our children the true nature of the atrocities we have visited upon the indigenous people of North America, among others, is truly among America’s greatest lies. Right up there with Slavery!

There is a truth that our children need to know.

Alaska has many wild turkeys, people hunt them each year. I’ve never seen one myself, but my dad and my grandpa went hunting for them. They did come back with one turkey! It was an amazing experience to watch and it tasted delicious.

What a kind note. Thank you, Douglas.

Water is most dense at 39F so when the surface hits that temperature in late fall, it sinks and displaces the water below it.

Great explanation. I was just wondering about why this happens as I was standing on the dock.

Fascinating and informative - as always.
Thank you and I hope that you’ll continue this wonderful blog.

Thank you for this article. My grandson came inside with these and the image search on google said they were hickory nuts. He said NO, they are not from trees. Once he showed me where he found them and I did some more searches, I found your article. We love science!

Thanks Betsy!

Lucy, I have been reading…

Someone pointed out on FB that there’s an unrelated nematode worm that infests grasshoppers.  It seems that without dissecting, they are hard to tell from horsehair worms.

Now I’m doubly curious to nab a few grasshoppers.

Declan

I served on the Maine Woodland Owners board with Patty for years and came to respect her quiet wisdom. She’s the real deal and we are lucky to have her as State Forester. And she still takes shifts at the Farmington Fire Department.

Great article about Patty! We are very lucky in Maine to have her as the State Forester!

I fill my feeders for the little birds in my yard. I have chickadees, cardinals, I think nuthatches & little tree crawlers ( Them I’m not sure). I notice they really like safflower sunflower & black-oil sunflower seeds. I had hummingbirds earlier (only 2) ruby-throated ; they left in early Sept. They would chase each other away from sugar-water! Hope they return next yr.  Well as ling as the birds are here I will continue feeding them! It’s so relaxing watching them & listening to their songs when they decide to sing!!

Thank you for the kind words, Angela.

Thank you for this frank and inspiring portrayal of such much belied birds. I find a certain love and indifference in their presence, but now appreciate them more.

Nicely written. I shall think a bit differently about the marauding jays that call my backyard home.

I collected 32 pounds of acorns to donate to orphaned bear cubs.  How long will that last approximately?  For instance, do bears eat a pound a day?  Thank you.

We have these weird caterpillars eating our blueberry bushes-they are a light chocolate brown with a green section with a spike below the head. Does anyone know what they are? I am in eastern MA.

Hi there!
A few weeks ago I received 4 luna moth cocoons from a teacher who intended them for her (now cancelled) classrooms. Two of them already emerged and I set them free shortly after last week. One of them has never shown signs of life, so I fear it didn’t survive. The other has yet to emerge. Is it possible it will overwinter and if so, how should I care for it? Should I put it outside in the leaf litter and let nature take it’s course? Thank you!