Victory! An end to the Snapping Turtle hunt
by David Seburn "Snapping Turtles take about 20 years to reach maturity in Ontario" - that's a long time to survive before being able to reproduce! (photo by David Seburn) Earlier this year, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) released proposed changes to the hunting regulations for the province. Among them was a proposal to shorten – but not end – the hunting period for the Snapping Turtle. The Snapping Turtle is listed as a species [...]
Mongolia’s wildlife (Apr. 1, 2017)
Apr. 1, 2017: The wild life in Mongolia What do you see when you look at the horse shown here? It is rather stocky, isn't it? Note its thick neck and large, blocky head. And how its mane stands up so stiffly. Domestic horses don't have these features. This is a wild horse, the world's only surviving wild horse species. Known as Przewalski's Horse, it lives wild in Mongolia. Our speaker, Roy John, had photographed this horse in the [...]
Birds in Africa and North America (Mar. 25, 2017)
We started with some exotic birds. Rob Alvo had recently made a birding tour of southern Africa, hitting as many different ecosystems as possible. Surprisingly, we recognized many of the birds, which we ourselves had never seen: weavers, owls, ostriches, and African penguins. Rob asked thought provoking questions that led into issues of conservation. Then, Rob switching continents, Rob led an exploration of his new book, “Being a Bird in North America.” He had a copy for everyone to peruse. [...]
An icy day in the Pakenham Hills (Mar. 4, 2017)
Conditions were almost perfect in the Pakenham hills today: a refrozen snowpack we could all walk on, with animal tracks showing in a light layer on top; brilliant sunshine to warm us (it was minus 18°C); ices as smooth as a skating rink running down a hill (for inveterate sliders); and a steady wind (to make the pines sing). We saw all the usual tracks as we walked in: deer, hare, fox, coyote, squirrel, deer mouse, vole, shrew, fisher, turkey, and porcupine, [...]
Restoring eels in the Ottawa River (Feb. 25, 2017)
Our speaker, Nick Lapointe, was himself once a member of the Macoun Club, so he was confident of having a knowledgeable audience. “What is the eel's scientific name?” Anguilla rostrata. “Where to they start from when they hatch? “The Sargasso Sea! “Where is that? “ Bermuda. “Where do they go to grow up? “ Rivers that empty into the Atlantic Ocean. Macoun members who have been around long enough already knew the answers because we had heard about eels from [...]
Another sign of a warming climate (Feb. 18, 2017)
The Sarsaparilla Trail in winter seemed like just several loops of well beaten pathways and a bunch of greedy Chickadees. The observation dock, scene of so much wildlife activity spring, summer, and fall, looked out over an unbroken expanse of snow over ice. We fed the Chickadees, and then marched out into the middle of The Big Pond. The snow out there was completely unmarked by humans, animal tracks, or even the touch of recent winds, and when we sat [...]
Mudpuppy night for the OFNC
photos by Bill Bowman According to Fred Schueler, Kemptville Creek, just below the dam at Oxford Mills, is the only place in Ontario where our giant aquatic Salamanders can be easily viewed during their winter activity. Searching for salamanders at this site is a regular weekly event for Fred, and he has records dating back to 1984. On Saturday, 18 February, OFNC members joined Fred and Aleta from 7 to 10, wading in the cold [...]
Mammals of the Ottawa area (Feb. 11, 2017)
Unlike birds, most wild mammals are little seen. Some are nocturnal, some are crepuscular, some are subterranean – and a good many have reason to fear us and hide. But they are here all around us and Gordon Robertson from the OFNC reviewed our local species groups. The meeting was a great success because everyone – our speaker, our leaders, and our members – has had memorable experience with one or more of our local mammals.
How I got my Zen on
by Michelle St-Germaine As I had a milestone birthday last year (I turned 50), I treated myself to a week in Paris alone and spent many hours in beautiful parks, contemplating life. In addition to this trip, I took a retirement course (yes, they exist!) and was pleased that I am on the right track financially. However, I found out that successful retirement planning also includes planning how I want to spend my time. What do I want to DO [...]