Sunday, September 2, 2007
Nature Calls Again
Nature Calls Earl Plato
I heard the rumbles. Feed English sparrows and starlings while our song birds go hungry! My brother, Ed , said a fellow church member of his remarked, “Tell that writer brother of yours that when the bluebirds return I’ll ship up all the sparrows and starlings he wants!” Plato, not much support for my feeding all the birds regardless of size, colour or denomination.
Defence. Remember where I was in the 1980’s. On the farm with lots of feed for all. Remember that if I didn’t feed the sparrows and starlings, where would they end up? - at your feeders in Ridgeway maybe even in Fort Erie!
***
Gone from South Kaobel Road is the old oak tree that once harboured Red-tails and countless Turkey vultures. It stood there for years all alone and now it’s gone. Question. Was it once the custom on farms in the area to plant a sapling in the year in which a family baby was born? Was it usually some large-growing tree, long-lived species that would stand out in the landscape such as an elm, oak or sugar maple?
Farmers out there do you recognize this tree planting custom? Call me at 894-2417 if you have a story to share.
***
Earth lesson? None better than scientist, Bob McDonald of C.B.C.’s Quirks and Quarks. 100 members and friends of the Bert Miller Nature Club were enthralled on December 18 at the Stevensville Conservation Club.
You think that Bob is great on radio you have to experience him in the flesh. He’s a ‘grabber.’ That is he gets your attention right from the start. How much fresh water on earth? Using two of our teenagers, Jessica Winger and Rob Eberly, and a full glass of fresh water, he dramatically showed how much fresh water is actually available. Jessica survived his continual order, “Take a drink, Jessica. Wait a second!”
Bob reminded us that we who live on the periphery of the Great lakes, live near the largest bodies of fresh water in the world. What are we doing to protect and preserve this vital source? Bob is extremely funny but he can be dead serious.
Bob McDonald is a space scientist and with the use of excellent slides he took us around the world, the moon, to Mars, Saturn and unique moons such as Europa. He discussed the effect of gravity and the fact that we really don’t know enough about the phenomenon. He described a night in Tanzania and the disclosure of the heavens in that part of he world. He mesmerized you with this vivid experience that he had. Are we alone in the universe? The need to have the right criteria for life on this circular ball of stone, earth, is critical. He pointed out that so far the planets and moons are devoid of life. Bob encourages young people especially “To get outside and experience reality. Think about this world!”
Winter time - clear nights. Dress warmly and step out and look up. Get acquainted with the starry heavens. Why not?
I heard the rumbles. Feed English sparrows and starlings while our song birds go hungry! My brother, Ed , said a fellow church member of his remarked, “Tell that writer brother of yours that when the bluebirds return I’ll ship up all the sparrows and starlings he wants!” Plato, not much support for my feeding all the birds regardless of size, colour or denomination.
Defence. Remember where I was in the 1980’s. On the farm with lots of feed for all. Remember that if I didn’t feed the sparrows and starlings, where would they end up? - at your feeders in Ridgeway maybe even in Fort Erie!
***
Gone from South Kaobel Road is the old oak tree that once harboured Red-tails and countless Turkey vultures. It stood there for years all alone and now it’s gone. Question. Was it once the custom on farms in the area to plant a sapling in the year in which a family baby was born? Was it usually some large-growing tree, long-lived species that would stand out in the landscape such as an elm, oak or sugar maple?
Farmers out there do you recognize this tree planting custom? Call me at 894-2417 if you have a story to share.
***
Earth lesson? None better than scientist, Bob McDonald of C.B.C.’s Quirks and Quarks. 100 members and friends of the Bert Miller Nature Club were enthralled on December 18 at the Stevensville Conservation Club.
You think that Bob is great on radio you have to experience him in the flesh. He’s a ‘grabber.’ That is he gets your attention right from the start. How much fresh water on earth? Using two of our teenagers, Jessica Winger and Rob Eberly, and a full glass of fresh water, he dramatically showed how much fresh water is actually available. Jessica survived his continual order, “Take a drink, Jessica. Wait a second!”
Bob reminded us that we who live on the periphery of the Great lakes, live near the largest bodies of fresh water in the world. What are we doing to protect and preserve this vital source? Bob is extremely funny but he can be dead serious.
Bob McDonald is a space scientist and with the use of excellent slides he took us around the world, the moon, to Mars, Saturn and unique moons such as Europa. He discussed the effect of gravity and the fact that we really don’t know enough about the phenomenon. He described a night in Tanzania and the disclosure of the heavens in that part of he world. He mesmerized you with this vivid experience that he had. Are we alone in the universe? The need to have the right criteria for life on this circular ball of stone, earth, is critical. He pointed out that so far the planets and moons are devoid of life. Bob encourages young people especially “To get outside and experience reality. Think about this world!”
Winter time - clear nights. Dress warmly and step out and look up. Get acquainted with the starry heavens. Why not?
Saturday, September 1, 2007
The Trails of Marcy Woods
The Trails of Marcy Woods Earl Plato
A drive from Ridgeway and then a walk through Marcy Woods this Fall on a frosty morning. Fields that yesterday were tan and green this morning on Hallow Bay Road are silver. Grasses, weeds, ferns, boulders, bushes, the bark of the lower trees are clothed with the shining beauty of the frost in the morning light. Truly a beautiful sight.
We mount the Marcy steps and the crisp, frosty air enters our lungs as we ascend. Frost is everywhere. Then as we descend to the new bridge crossing we see the Marcy cabin’s roof plated with the cold and shining beauty of the frost. A statement I often have made - “Marcy Woods is a wonder to behold anytime of the year.” We walk down from the cabin along the path that parallels the lake. A heavy rainfall has created a deep hole in the centre of the road. We skirt the dropoff. On we go heading for the side trail and the bench nestled in the hugel, towering basswood trees. We rest and eat our lunch.
A drive from Ridgeway and then a walk through Marcy Woods this Fall on a frosty morning. Fields that yesterday were tan and green this morning on Hallow Bay Road are silver. Grasses, weeds, ferns, boulders, bushes, the bark of the lower trees are clothed with the shining beauty of the frost in the morning light. Truly a beautiful sight.
We mount the Marcy steps and the crisp, frosty air enters our lungs as we ascend. Frost is everywhere. Then as we descend to the new bridge crossing we see the Marcy cabin’s roof plated with the cold and shining beauty of the frost. A statement I often have made - “Marcy Woods is a wonder to behold anytime of the year.” We walk down from the cabin along the path that parallels the lake. A heavy rainfall has created a deep hole in the centre of the road. We skirt the dropoff. On we go heading for the side trail and the bench nestled in the hugel, towering basswood trees. We rest and eat our lunch.
Friday, August 31, 2007
My favourite duck
nn5102 Earl Plato
I was asked, “How come you don’t write much about birds lately?” Good question. I have been living too long in town. The family farms were where I experienced great bird observing. Yes, we still feed birds in our back yard but the number and variety are low. Winter is coming soon and with it the knowledge that only a relatively few species of birds are sufficiently adapted to survive our Ontario winters. You know why.
Our birds must acquire food of course. Donald Stokes in his informative book, Nature in Winter states that cold and snow are two factors that alter the availability of accessible food. Cold most affects the food sources of water birds. It causes much of the water plants to die back. Many water animals recede into the mud to hibernate and are no longer available for the food chain. Inland the cold freezes over streams and ponds making what food still exists inaccessible. Herons, ducks, rails and sandpipers head to open water or fly south. Lake Erie won’t freeze over this winter. That’s good news for shore birds. At Point Abino ducks and swans will feed on the underwater beds of wild celery in the bay. Many birds depend on insects - mainly airborne, as a major source of food. Cold destroys these insects so the birds must fly south in order to survive. Winter brings snow and with it protective cover for seeds and small animals. Every year many hawks and owls must migrate to warmer climes. Go to beamer’s Point each fall and witness their flight south. Winter brings great changes for our feathered friends.
Here’s where you come into the picture. Eating enough food to keep warm is the main activity of birds in winter. Feed the birds. Start now and don’t stop. Be a dependable source of food for birds.
***
Think big, really big. In this ‘throw away world” where it’s “here today and gone tomorrow” it still lives. Ontario. so we read, has cut down more trees and complete forests in North America since the arrival of John Graves Simcoe in the 1780’s than any other province or state. “Clear cut” is the term used. Somehow the tree cutters missed this one. Some of us have been castigated as “tree huggers.’ So be it.
I have walked the concrete canyons of big cities such as Toronto, Boston, and New York. Fifth Avenue in New York has trees growing in regular spacing as does University Avenue in Toronto. It makes a difference to me. Visit our little Ridgeway and see the difference that the Linden trees have made to the beauty of Ridge Road. Think old, very old of our giant hemlock - 200 years plus? I think so.
This giant Eastern hemlock, I believe, qualifies as Old Growth. Yes, it’s on Marcy property.
Cousin, Keith Plato, and I measured it the other day. Keith had us take two measurements at the widest girth. This towering tree was almost 15 feet in circumference. 14 ft. 11 in. to be exact. It looks healthy and is no threat to structures. You and I are on earth only a little while. Allow this Old Growth tree to survive for future generations, eh. I am a tree lover and yes, I hug one once in a while.
I was asked, “How come you don’t write much about birds lately?” Good question. I have been living too long in town. The family farms were where I experienced great bird observing. Yes, we still feed birds in our back yard but the number and variety are low. Winter is coming soon and with it the knowledge that only a relatively few species of birds are sufficiently adapted to survive our Ontario winters. You know why.
Our birds must acquire food of course. Donald Stokes in his informative book, Nature in Winter states that cold and snow are two factors that alter the availability of accessible food. Cold most affects the food sources of water birds. It causes much of the water plants to die back. Many water animals recede into the mud to hibernate and are no longer available for the food chain. Inland the cold freezes over streams and ponds making what food still exists inaccessible. Herons, ducks, rails and sandpipers head to open water or fly south. Lake Erie won’t freeze over this winter. That’s good news for shore birds. At Point Abino ducks and swans will feed on the underwater beds of wild celery in the bay. Many birds depend on insects - mainly airborne, as a major source of food. Cold destroys these insects so the birds must fly south in order to survive. Winter brings snow and with it protective cover for seeds and small animals. Every year many hawks and owls must migrate to warmer climes. Go to beamer’s Point each fall and witness their flight south. Winter brings great changes for our feathered friends.
Here’s where you come into the picture. Eating enough food to keep warm is the main activity of birds in winter. Feed the birds. Start now and don’t stop. Be a dependable source of food for birds.
***
Think big, really big. In this ‘throw away world” where it’s “here today and gone tomorrow” it still lives. Ontario. so we read, has cut down more trees and complete forests in North America since the arrival of John Graves Simcoe in the 1780’s than any other province or state. “Clear cut” is the term used. Somehow the tree cutters missed this one. Some of us have been castigated as “tree huggers.’ So be it.
I have walked the concrete canyons of big cities such as Toronto, Boston, and New York. Fifth Avenue in New York has trees growing in regular spacing as does University Avenue in Toronto. It makes a difference to me. Visit our little Ridgeway and see the difference that the Linden trees have made to the beauty of Ridge Road. Think old, very old of our giant hemlock - 200 years plus? I think so.
This giant Eastern hemlock, I believe, qualifies as Old Growth. Yes, it’s on Marcy property.
Cousin, Keith Plato, and I measured it the other day. Keith had us take two measurements at the widest girth. This towering tree was almost 15 feet in circumference. 14 ft. 11 in. to be exact. It looks healthy and is no threat to structures. You and I are on earth only a little while. Allow this Old Growth tree to survive for future generations, eh. I am a tree lover and yes, I hug one once in a while.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Old Habits
Have you ever noticed that in late fall and winter some oak trees retain crisp, dry leaves long after maples, elms and the walnuts have become bare skeletons? Come next spring we will find that the strong winter winds and the early spring rains have not stripped the oak branches completely. This is what I read recently in a devotional booklet. "As springtime progresses, something wonderful happens. Tiny little oak leaf buds start appearing at the tips of the twigs, pushing off the dried remnants of the preceding season. What the winds and rains could not do without, the forces of new life do from within." Now you don't have to wait to spring in order to make new resolutions for 2006. We all know that at times old habits, that are not essentially good for us, cling to our lives with the same tenacity as those old oak leaves. The message is: "The best way to get rid of a bad habit is to start a good habit." The writer also says, "Rely on God and he will give you the strength to push off our old habits." That's good advice.
***
Why is the sky blue? Air is transparent which is why we can see the stars at night. In the day time the seven main colours of the spectrum except blue travel directly to our earth’s surface. The blue is scattered by gas molecules throughout the sky, thus the blueness to the atmosphere. The sun when viewed from outer space is white but it appears yellow from the earth’s surface. Why? All the colours of the spectrum minus the blue and you get the yellow hue from our perspective on earth. It seems inconceivable that the sky should change so much that it should endanger our lives. But there was a time when the atmosphere couldn’t support life. Believe the Bible or take the evolutionist view - both agree that the earth at one time did not support life. That security blanket for one thing is not thick. Breathable air ends eight kilometres (5.9) miles above sea level. It’s not comforting to know that the sky’s composition has become precarious. The ozone layers especially at the polar points are thinning. The process is allowing increasing amounts of ultraviolet radiation to strike our planet’s surface. That’s not good for human kind. Increasing amounts of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere by industrialized nations (Canada is one of the leaders) are blamed for the “green house” effect. There is a gradual warming caused by the heat trapped underneath an ever thickening layer of gas. Keep cutting the trees down and see the process ever increase. Plants and trees are necessary in saving our planet and the sky’s atmosphere. Plant more and more trees in the years ahead. Builders, if you can save trees on a new building lots do so. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off life saving oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. “Blue skies smiling at me.” Enjoy this day in nature,
***
Why is the sky blue? Air is transparent which is why we can see the stars at night. In the day time the seven main colours of the spectrum except blue travel directly to our earth’s surface. The blue is scattered by gas molecules throughout the sky, thus the blueness to the atmosphere. The sun when viewed from outer space is white but it appears yellow from the earth’s surface. Why? All the colours of the spectrum minus the blue and you get the yellow hue from our perspective on earth. It seems inconceivable that the sky should change so much that it should endanger our lives. But there was a time when the atmosphere couldn’t support life. Believe the Bible or take the evolutionist view - both agree that the earth at one time did not support life. That security blanket for one thing is not thick. Breathable air ends eight kilometres (5.9) miles above sea level. It’s not comforting to know that the sky’s composition has become precarious. The ozone layers especially at the polar points are thinning. The process is allowing increasing amounts of ultraviolet radiation to strike our planet’s surface. That’s not good for human kind. Increasing amounts of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere by industrialized nations (Canada is one of the leaders) are blamed for the “green house” effect. There is a gradual warming caused by the heat trapped underneath an ever thickening layer of gas. Keep cutting the trees down and see the process ever increase. Plants and trees are necessary in saving our planet and the sky’s atmosphere. Plant more and more trees in the years ahead. Builders, if you can save trees on a new building lots do so. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off life saving oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. “Blue skies smiling at me.” Enjoy this day in nature,
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