The extreme cold has certainly limited our time outdoors. And if you’re anything like me the amount you are reading has increased. One of the many books from our library I’ve been enjoying is a book of essays and articles by Helen Macdonald called “Vesper Flights”. All the pieces are… Continue reading
Many of us, I’m sure, in idle moments have dreamed about hibernating away the worst part of winter. Imagine curling up in our warm, comfortable bed and not waking up until the cold of winter is over! I know I have! But luckily (?) it is simply not possible. And… Continue reading
“Deep roots are not reached by the frost.” J.R.R Tolkien It was a quiet holiday season here in the valley. Foolishly I left the beavers to their own devices thinking that maybe they would take a break over Christmas. Of course they didn’t do this and their intentions to expand… Continue reading
Now that the leaves are down, it’s time to profile another native tree: the Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus). There are some glorious specimens of this remarkable and storied tree in the Millbrook area. These majestic conifers are beautiful all year, but their true glory is revealed only now in the… Continue reading
In collaboration with the Kawartha Land Trust, and The Ontario Woodlot Association, a new initiative has been launched by our neighbours to the west. They have started a local Forestry Cooperative. Among the many motives for this move was to prevent their plantations from collapsing, position themselves to take advantage… Continue reading
My record-keeping isn’t as good as I’d like and so I don’t have proof that the leaves are late falling this year. But it sure seems like it! Of course, we all know it’s been much warmer than usual, with only two frosts to date. Oaks are always slow to… Continue reading
The Trout Unlimited Millbrook Chapter partnered with the local Girl Guide Rangers and Otonabee Region Conservation Authority to partake in the Yellowfish road program. The community program is designed to educate residents that storm drains are the doorways to our local streams. Putting anything other than rain water in the… Continue reading
Poetry often captures truths better than prose. The poet Wordsworth had a wonderful eye for nature: “…of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower…” is one of those good bits. The heavy dews and frosts along with plentiful spider webs bespangled with dew or frost certainly reveal that… Continue reading
As we head into September, I would like to profile our most iconic native tree, the national tree of Canada, our beloved sugar maple (Acer saccharum). There is only a faint hint of the colourful changes to come as I write this at the end of August, but you can… Continue reading
