The Robin’s Nest – How to Identify Bird Nests: When we hike in nature, we only see the things we consider important. When I was studying to be a naturalist, each week’s guest lecturer would take us out … Continue Reading →
The Mystery of Invasive Species
I hear a lot about invasive species in California, the state where I live. These exotic species from faraway lands displace the natives and threaten to take over local … Continue Reading →
Do Turkey Vultures Smell?
A short article in BayNature Magazine caught my attention. It talks about the controversy that existed surrounding the question: Do turkey vultures locate carrion by sight or by smell? After … Continue Reading →
Lembert Dome and Dog Lake
Sometimes you Just Gotta’ Get Away After a long week at work, I was excited to get a few days off to go hiking. My plan was to … Continue Reading →
John Rae – Has a Wrong been Righted?
John Rae, the arctic explorer who found the last piece of the Northwest Passage is being honored with a plaque in Westminster Abbey. A Good Man Unjustly Maligned … Continue Reading →
How to Make Orange Acorn Bread
Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts! – James Beard We gathered and stored our … Continue Reading →
Wilderness First Aid and the Duty of Care to Yourself
Before there was medicine, there was “wilderness medicine”… – Buck Tilton, Wilderness First Responder: How to Recognize, Treat, and Prevent Emergencies in the Backcountry, Globe Pequot, 2004 … Continue Reading →
Turn Acorns into Spinning Tops in just 10 Minutes (Children’s Toys)
Do you want to be a hit with your children? To delight your grandson or granddaughter? To be popular with the neighborhood kids? Bushcraft can help you do … Continue Reading →
How to Make Acorns into Food (Part 3)
We conclude our “Acorn Trilogy” by learning to use water and gravity to transform the bitter nutmeats into nutritious and filling food. In Part 1, we reviewed the steps … Continue Reading →
How to Make Acorns into Food (Part 2)
When we gather, process, and cook acorns, we connect with nature in a way that is absent from our modern lives. It allows us to revive the ancient … Continue Reading →
People Rescue Bear Cubs (Video)
After discussing the recent mountain lion attack, I thought I’d share a more heartening human/animal interaction. This video has been on the Internet for several years. I like it … Continue Reading →