Where do the turkeys go and why?

It was Wednesday the 12th, I believe. I was walking on the path home from the river when I noticed there was a trail of bird tracks in the snow. Now, these were not small bird feet, but large, and there were a lot of them! I was very confused--so much so that I stopped and had to rationally talk to myself that first of all, they really were there, and yes, birds are the creatures which would make bird tracks in the snow. I decided that they probably were not peacocks released by some human, nor were they pet chickens perhaps which were herded a long. Maybe it was just a long day and I had to run through all the possibilities.

Anyway, I eventually just accepted the fact that they were there and for some reason there was a mass movement of large birds through Otterburne. When I arrived at Prov house I looked across the field, and behold! A whole flock of wild turkey were across the street and very busy wandering in the field. I decided that I should go and investigate, but have not yet ventured. I believe this will be the first OAN walk.

In the mean time I have begun to learn about wild turkeys. I found some information here. Apparently wild turkeys live deep in the woods in winter. What would make them come into an open field? I suspect they were eating. The site says states that during the winter they eat nuts, seeds and fruits left from the fall. I wonder if all animal population is increasing in MB this winter due to the warmth? And if the relative warmth makes for more food needs, and thus the turkeys have to stray beyond their usual boundaries to find more food? Left over seeds etc. from the harvest? Just a thought. Further exploration is needed.
Wiki article (note: They like feeding in early morning and late afternoon)
National Wild Turkey Federation (I suspect we in MB have the "Eastern Wild Turkey")

Early Sundays

These past several weeks I have taken to walking to church in St. Pierre. People ask me why and as always I have to tell them the simple fact that I love walking. Anyway, there is something so thrilling about getting up early before the dorms are even awake, putting on extra warm clothes to guard against the early morning chills and walking down that dirt road. This road is grazed by only a few stray houses and the occasional barking dogs that like to own the road whenever I pass them, but for the most part, the land to either side of me spreads itself wide and full across my vision, silencing me at a glance.

I almost can't describe it but the feelings of beautiful solice just fill me up with a silent joy when I walk. The only thing that I hear is the crushing gravel beneath my feet and then all else just seems to be lying in quiet wait for the progression of the day. The corn fields to either side of me seem to be so barren and to some could be called cold..but as the sun comes up, rising higher and higher, the wonderful spread of golden light just unleashes itself on the stalks and over the frosted areas, warming the ground and bringing it all to life in a heartbeat.

I've walked this road before even when I'm not going to church, but each time I am amazed at the beauty of it all. In my first year I was mezmerized by the gentle quiet of this place and now it still amazes me that you can stop moving while you are outside and not hear a single thing except your own breathing. You're almost afraid to breath for fear you'll spoil the silence.

There are so many things in God's creation that we miss...and that I don't want to miss. It is a gift...a precious gift...

Trees!

I have decided to begin looking at trees as my first steps getting to know Otterburne. My goal is to identify all the trees I can. At first all I can see is "Christmas trees" and "trees that loose their leaves." I know a bit more than that, but not very much. I can probably recognize half a dozen trees. In this post I will examine the various categories that trees are put into. I will then, in subsequent posts look at the tree profile. I think it would be fun to tie in the mythological ideas associated with the tree, but that might be too ambitious. I will also try and note what the trees have been used for traditionally.

How are trees identified?

There seem to be various categories one can talk about when referring to a tree. The first obviously is its name. There is a common name and there is a Latin one. I don't know what the Latin name is all about, but apparently it will tell you a lot about the tree. So, for example, a Bur Oak is also called a Quercus Macrocarpa. Now, I know that macro means big, but I am lost otherwise.

There are also a tree family. I assume this is a simple concept. Something more to search.

The next thing is the leaves. Good heavens there is a large number of classification schemes. hm. Here is a good link. Otherwise I will find my chart and put it in the locker.

We can also talk about the trunk.

There is probably more. But this is a start. One more thing that I am going to note:

There are 4 "organs" to a plant: Stem, roots, leaves and fruit. I got that from here. That seemed interesting.

So in my next post, I will be writing about the Bur Oak I think.

Wildlife

The bizzarely warm weather of the past few days has afforded much time for outdoor excursions. I have enjoyed spending time with squirrells, woodpeckers, rabbits and - my favourite - four deer who like to hang out on the other side of the river at dusk! Has anyone else seen them?

Rediscovering Magic

This Moon Day I walked out my door and kept walking. I have lived in the White House since May, but never before have I stepped out my door and walked down the hill to the river. My "outdoor time" usually consists of the moments it takes to cross the lawn on my way to work. But on Monday evening I felt something inexplicable pull me out of my apartment and into the magic that is nature. Down an embankment, sheltered by wild trees, cut off from the routine buildings and lawns of Prov, I felt something distantly familiar, something primitive, move in me. That space became all the mythic childhood realms in one: Narnia, Oz, Faerie Land, Terabithia, Wonderland, Fantasia, Neverland! What have I been doing to myself for the past seven years? I have been living inside. Where did I get the idea that I could do that and not lose my soul? My soul is with the tall trees and the fallen leaves and the moving water.

Sasha and I walked until it got dark and quite cold. We saw old beaver-chewed stumps, a strange viney plant with spiny pods, and the ruinous foundation of a small building. We walked the path between the lilacs and the evergreens, disappearing for awhile. Becoming realer for awhile.

Later that night, I spoke on the phone with my Grandmother, who remembers my childhood ramblings in the woods, and kept diaries of the things I discovered. I used to be an amateur natralist! How did I lose my way? I very enthusiastically join the Otterburne chapter of the Amateur Naturalists, hoping to rediscover more of the magic I once breathed in every day.

The very strange vines with spikey pods--what are they?


A chewed tree! When you get up close, you can see the teeth marks.

Welcome

This is a blog for all those in Otterburne who wish to identify themselves as amateur naturalists. It is open to the public to read, and members of the O.A.N. to post about their walks. It should be stated here that by "Naturalists" we do not mean those who walk around al natural. Otterburne winters are impractical for that. Rather, this is a collection of people who in some way wish to appreciate the earth, "nature", and in that appreciation to move towards a greater awareness of our own position in the great cycle of life.