What’s going on out on the land?
Tracking Journal : December 25, 2020
I heard Coyotes howling as I walked up to the forest. Maybe two or three, but the way their songs work, it sounds more like 5 or 6. I only was able to record the last little bit as I didn’t have my phone out and really wasn’t expecting it.
When I got to the mouth of the forest I saw some Canine tracks coming in from the field to the East, onto the road, and then tuck quickly back into the woods. I noted them, and then continued in and onto the main trail, only stopping to introduce myself to the woods and announce my intentions.
Imagining the Possibilities Headdresses of a European Shaman**
I am curious about, inspired by, these headdresses not only because they are beautiful mythic artifacts of prehistoric connection with the landbase, but also in light of the white appropriations of indigenous headdresses here in North America; Why not offer white-encultured, euro-descended folks something that may have more meaning and connection to their own lineages and ancestries? How can we come to know our own ancestral regalia?
Tracking journal December 13, 2020
I got out of the car and began making my way to the woods. There are some areas on the way where I am sure it would be preferred I not go, but this was the fastest, safest way so I was quick and discrete. As I climbed a bit of a gravel hill I got to the slope of the hill, where one side of the property is bounded by a Cedar tree line. As I came down I was looking lightly but most just making my way back towards the woods, when I came across a set canid of tracks.
Tracking journal for December 5, 2020. Along Eramosa River.
I took the normal trail I usually take, but when I came to the Northward split I decided I would take it, just to see if anything new stuck out for me along the way. And, of course something did.
I stepped on the first few tracks before I even saw them, but I luckily did look down with enough time that I didn’t crush the whole trail. The snow was just crusty enough from thawing a little bit the day before and then freezing overnight that these tracks were stable enough to guess that I may be able to follow this trail for a while.
In search of the Wild Heart of the Forest
Now is the time of year when things get dark and wet and quiet in the forest. When the tall dead stalks of the Joe Pye sway in the wind hoping to loose some seed in the blustery wind. When the mud is thick along the trails and the fallen leaves, once green, then yellow, turn to brown and black. This is when I search for the Wild Heart of the Forest.
I go out to sit, and listen. To the wind, the river and my own breathing, harmonizing with the chilling world. I go out to wander, and look. To the tracks, the trees, and the stars peering down from a distance unfathomable. I go out to be with the world, a wilder place than my home, a place I long to know more.
Exploring the Eramosa River Valley, Nov. 21, 2020
Today some pals and I went out for a couple of hours along the Eramosa River Valley. It’s always nice to explore the wilder edges of the common places we know, and even better with others. Others will see things I’d miss, and I may be able to contribute to the conversation with things I have been learning about. Together we get to know the land a little deeper, a little more thoroughly, every time we step out there.
Striving For Kithship
What is implied by Kithship? What do I mean by kith when I sing out the word with the kids in my classes? How does it relate to building intimacy and knowledge of the land?
It's hard as a settler to describe relationships with land, especially when striving for relationships that are better than the conventional ones of my ancestors. How do we create better relationships and how do we name those relationships in honest ways that acknowledge them while not claiming something that isn’t? More questions, but some small moves towards understand.
Red Tail Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis)
I love Red-Tailed Hawks (RTHA). They are commonly seen, in the midst of peak migration (mid November) and are pretty accessible birds to learn about. They hang out near people and fun to watch perched by the road, or soaring high above.
Here is a first species entry of, hopefully, many more to come. The Legendarium continues!
Snail trails on Birch
A lot of questions arise while looking at Snail feeding sign on a Birch tree at the Guelph Arboretum. Why Birch? Are they eating? How are they eating? What is the direction of travel?
Sometimes the answers are out there, and it’s just about looking a little deeper to figure it out.
Who are you? Fungal Edition
There are many beautiful things in the forest. But sometimes the small things catch your eye. This post is all about two beautiful Blue Fungi I’ve seen recently. I am trying to write up what I learn so I can share it and keep it handy for the future. The more of us know, the better off we are.
Who are you?
I wanted to make a post of some of the assorted lifeforms I have been finding while out on the land. Part of the process of learning the land is to know that we don’t know much. I know those with longer standing relationships, more profound training and mentors may have considerable more knowledge and experience, but we all start somewhere and I’m trying to learn all I can.
Chinook Salmon, Nottawasaga River at Hockley Valley Conservation Area
In the fall, for the last three years I've been visiting this quiet section of the Nottawasaga River at Hockley Valley. I think it will be a tradition long into the future.
#1492LandBackLane
Many folks don’t know much about ongoing land reclamation and defence of land down in Six Nations at 1492 Landback Lane, and I only know so much myself, so I wanted to compile some resources on how to learn more.
Question Book 3 : The Return of Question Book
These are question that come from observations in the field, from discussion with students and colleagues, or just from late night wonderings. I write them out in a physical book so I will not lose them and try to make time later to answer them. On to the questions!
More Praying Mantis questions from the Question Book
So again, these are some of the questions that I write up through the days while I am out on the land. Curiosities and wonderings, incomplete understandings and unknowns. If I don’t write them down, I’ll never remember to look them up.
As I keep seeing them out on the land, I keep wondering about the Praying Mantis and what their habits are. Time to share what I am learning.
A couple from the Question Book pt. 1
A couple of questions, a couple of answers from the Question Book.
Truffles and the Muskrat Pond
I was sitting on top of the root dome, looking down over the shelf, peering into the soft muddy substrates below me while folks were figuring the story of the tracks out. While they investigated further, I looked around on top of where I was and was grateful that I did as I realized that I had narrowly avoided putting my hand in a moderate pile of Raccoon scat.
Towards a better understanding of Turkey scat
Towards understanding Turkey scat. Looking at physiological differences in males and females which influcence the shape and structure of their scat. Why wonder about scat? Well… TRACKING!
Phenology as tracking through time
You have probably heard of a Phenology journal before, where folks keep track of when specific things happen over a year, or over the course of many years... it’s like tracking… through time.
What do Groundhogs eat?
Another one from my question book, but to be honest, I think this has passed through many question books, and I don’t know why I keep forgetting. It’s about time I wrote out what I’ve learned and that way folks can remind me.