the spring bird chorus of robins, wrens, thrushes, crows, and gulls woke me up this morning,
i hung my laundry on the clothesline to dry in the sun
i had a small post-lunch coffee with michelle in the garden behind our building
we spent an hour prepping our new garden plot (in the city community garden); hands caked with soil, and we some wheelbarrow loads of soreness in my shoulders
meeting a mentor colleague and his primary mentee for some exploration in the woods
a thursday dedicated to being outside
i am still missing my sit spot... i need to find one.
but i am getting out!
tomorrow for a morning kayak (weather permitting) and a sit spot find
last week i spent the weekend exploring with the boys and the past couple of days have been dedicated to cooking and a seder
last sunday also michelle and i harvested nettles. we ate them steamed over salmon cakes and fried potatoes.
the daffodils are blooming, bees are busy and the butterflies are pollinating their fluttery delicate wings away!
what are you doing to get outside?
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Flingin' Things
Part of my work involves stepping up to the challenge that the boys and young men present to us. They wanted to learn about primitive hunting tools and skills. We got the best. We learned about and practiced using: rabbit sticks, slings, boomerangs, the bolas, darts/arrows & spears, and the Atlatl. AWESOME fun! And Tim Flores, you are the man!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Life-changing event: Bald Eagle Courtship
I wanted to post this immediately after it happened, but I simply ran out of time. Fortunately I told the story to a dozen good friends who listened intently. After repeating it, I know the story perfectly and have no problem typing it all out here... please excuse me for not sharing this sooner!
I drove to Camano Island, about an hour south of Bellingham, to a nature preserve called English Boom. En route, a Red-tailed Hawk flew 20 feet over my car as I drove down the I-5 corridor, just south of Bellingham, right after I got on the freeway. I thought that was going to be the highlight of my day. Boy was I mistaken.
This was the second outing planned for a group of kindergartners at Summit Academy to teach and learn about Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles. Two weeks prior, we had talked about habitat and requirements for animals to live and thrive in a place. This second day was to focus on the two birds and to see how they might interact with each other or not.
I was toying in the trunk of my car pondering what on earth I was going to facilitate for these young children. I heard some Bald Eagles calling and they flew towards the water; I didn't think much of it. About a minute later, while I was still organizing my car, I heard the Bald Eagles call again, chirping and flying close, and I turned and looked.
The two adults (both with white heads) were flying no higher than 50 feet above the ground and they got within about 25 feet of my car and where I was standing. Suddenly, the bottom eagle flipped upside down and the top eagle grasped talons with the bottom one...
And this is what it looked like:
credit: http://wildmintproductions.com/2012/05/the-dalliance-of-the-eagles/
The eagles spiraled down for about four seconds... it was a majestic dance, they courted in a perfect spiral as they fell to 40, 30, 20 feet above the ground. With enough time before hitting the field, they released and caught air to double back around for another pass over.
The top eagle this time, obviously the male (because of the following behavior) had been carrying a fish in its other talon! I discovered this because it dropped the fish mid air. The female, who was flying underneath, gathered momentum in a brief second and swooped under the male to catch the fish mid air!
This is called a "prey transfer" and I knew it was a common courting behavior between Peregrine Falcons, as Bud Anderson (Falcon Research Group) once taught me. But I saw it for myself... in Bald Eagle courtship!
The birds flew north together, following the road and banked around a stand of tall Douglas Fir trees. As they rounded the grove and out of sight, the first carload of small people approached and our two-hour field excursion was about to begin. Not knowing how to respond, I simply dropped to a knee and thanked the earth for providing me with such an opportunity.
I now share this story with whoever reads it. The natural world is full of incredible events and miracles but these are also ordinary events in the lives of the creatures that demonstrate these behaviors. What makes them astounding is our ability to slow down and make the time for observation.
The prey transfer is a final step in solidifying the relationship for the breeding pair and I suppose the next step for these two birds is to start a nest. It is that time of year, after all! And during the rest of our time at English Boom, we heard those raptor chirping and carrying on, in their "new-love" kind of way that we humans know all so well.
To date, this is one of the single most incredible events I have witnessed. I am so thankful for those two Bald Eagles and for all Bald Eagles... they led me to the Pacific Northwest and still guide my life. When I am lost or confused, these raptors remind me of my place (on the ground) on this earth.
I drove to Camano Island, about an hour south of Bellingham, to a nature preserve called English Boom. En route, a Red-tailed Hawk flew 20 feet over my car as I drove down the I-5 corridor, just south of Bellingham, right after I got on the freeway. I thought that was going to be the highlight of my day. Boy was I mistaken.
This was the second outing planned for a group of kindergartners at Summit Academy to teach and learn about Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles. Two weeks prior, we had talked about habitat and requirements for animals to live and thrive in a place. This second day was to focus on the two birds and to see how they might interact with each other or not.
I was toying in the trunk of my car pondering what on earth I was going to facilitate for these young children. I heard some Bald Eagles calling and they flew towards the water; I didn't think much of it. About a minute later, while I was still organizing my car, I heard the Bald Eagles call again, chirping and flying close, and I turned and looked.
The two adults (both with white heads) were flying no higher than 50 feet above the ground and they got within about 25 feet of my car and where I was standing. Suddenly, the bottom eagle flipped upside down and the top eagle grasped talons with the bottom one...
And this is what it looked like:
credit: http://wildmintproductions.com/2012/05/the-dalliance-of-the-eagles/
The eagles spiraled down for about four seconds... it was a majestic dance, they courted in a perfect spiral as they fell to 40, 30, 20 feet above the ground. With enough time before hitting the field, they released and caught air to double back around for another pass over.
The top eagle this time, obviously the male (because of the following behavior) had been carrying a fish in its other talon! I discovered this because it dropped the fish mid air. The female, who was flying underneath, gathered momentum in a brief second and swooped under the male to catch the fish mid air!
This is called a "prey transfer" and I knew it was a common courting behavior between Peregrine Falcons, as Bud Anderson (Falcon Research Group) once taught me. But I saw it for myself... in Bald Eagle courtship!
The birds flew north together, following the road and banked around a stand of tall Douglas Fir trees. As they rounded the grove and out of sight, the first carload of small people approached and our two-hour field excursion was about to begin. Not knowing how to respond, I simply dropped to a knee and thanked the earth for providing me with such an opportunity.
I now share this story with whoever reads it. The natural world is full of incredible events and miracles but these are also ordinary events in the lives of the creatures that demonstrate these behaviors. What makes them astounding is our ability to slow down and make the time for observation.
The prey transfer is a final step in solidifying the relationship for the breeding pair and I suppose the next step for these two birds is to start a nest. It is that time of year, after all! And during the rest of our time at English Boom, we heard those raptor chirping and carrying on, in their "new-love" kind of way that we humans know all so well.
To date, this is one of the single most incredible events I have witnessed. I am so thankful for those two Bald Eagles and for all Bald Eagles... they led me to the Pacific Northwest and still guide my life. When I am lost or confused, these raptors remind me of my place (on the ground) on this earth.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Stinging Nettles!
Springing, Stinging Nettles! It's spring time for sure. Matt and Matia and Nick and Sarah and I went to a secret location near to our homes. Someone had already been there for certain (Drew!) But we gave some thanks to the land and to the natural world and then embarked on an adventure.
We played a couple rounds of Hide (even as adults it is a FUN game!) and then found a sweet patch of Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica). On a hillside, in a drainage, the mosquitoes were out too... pretty early I feel.
I'm not making any sense. So, lemme start over. We harvested a bunch of stinging nettles. After I collected some, I steamed them at home and then put them on pizza last night! Boy are they delicious! Despite being stung a couple of times and having achy hands, I got enough for the night. And I look forward to more pain and more nettles in my diet.
Here is some information about the nettle. Anyone who has encountered this plant has a story... but it is really an important source of vitamins and food for us humans. Pojar says it had also been referred to as, Indian Spinach, and it's good in the spring time before it gets to be taller than a foot. Otherwise, excess Formic acid forms and we don't garner as much nutrition. That acid is stored in the hollow needles and is delivered when one of us accidentally (or purposefully) grabs the stems, branches, or underside of leaves and breaks the tips of the needles. It often gives us a rash or irritation.
Rumor has it that we can make a spit salve with Sword Fern sori (spores, pronounced "Sore-eye") and apply the paste to remedy the rashes. Nature is a funny world too... the heart of a Stinging Nettles thicket was surrounded by tons of sword fern with sori ready to go! For every danger we find in the environment there is almost always a cure... and they are often growing adjacent or very close to one another (ironic or designed).
Later in the year, we can harvest the long stalks. Not for eating but for cordage. We can dry and peel in such a way that we can fashion rope... once (and still) used for snares, fishnets, and other rope.
What a great plant. It should be respected. And harvested. And not over-harvested! It humbled us with its intense sting. But it provides for us too. Mmmm...
And this blog post was really poorly written. I hope you got the point!
Later in the year, we can harvest the long stalks. Not for eating but for cordage. We can dry and peel in such a way that we can fashion rope... once (and still) used for snares, fishnets, and other rope.
What a great plant. It should be respected. And harvested. And not over-harvested! It humbled us with its intense sting. But it provides for us too. Mmmm...
And this blog post was really poorly written. I hope you got the point!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Spring is here
So, after getting off to a great start and even a "soft opening" of my blog I fell off the face of the natural and electronic community to be in the present moment. Such is life. Moving and transitioning my life has been very wonderful and I am thankful for the changes. However, it has meant that my time outside has shifted and that I'll have to find a new sit spot, closer to my new place.
It is spring as the rain reminds us every couple of days. It's is warm but then cold, so we can never be sure what to wear. It is a time of transition. The season calls for it. My lack of time outside is a reflection of this transition.
I've seen Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans flying north, over Bellingham Bay towards their summering grounds in the Arctic circle (in parts of Alaska and Wrangle Island, Siberia, Russia). their departure marks a change in season and indeed an end to the winter.
Speaking of nesting and birds, the American Robins have been out in abundance. Boy are they going after those worms with a vengeance.I watch American Crows and Glaucous-winged Gulls at flight level from the third-floor window of the new apartment.
My new nest is taking shape too. Michelle and I are enjoying our space and moving the twigs around as the other moves the twigs back. Like the birds, we mimic the nesting instinct that is only indicative of the new season. Cleaning the cobwebs from winter and letting the cold and dark go on their merry way. It is Springtime.
On a walk with Michelle yesterday, and during weekend outings with the Boys Explorers' Club, in Fairhaven Park, I have noticed more buds with bigger leaves. The Pussywillows had been out last month and now the Indian Plum are unfurling their ovate green leaves. Soon the Salmonberry will follow suit. Rumor has it that the Stinging Nettles are already getting too big to harvest and I'm sure the Devil's Club thorny reaches are not far behind.
I am getting busy with teaching and work too, so I'm sure that spring is here. Despite being so busy, it is important to spend at least 30 minutes a day outside... just sitting. If nothing else, then a walk in the fresh air will do my mind and body a lot of good.
Happy Spring to us all... let's get outside and enjoy it!
It is spring as the rain reminds us every couple of days. It's is warm but then cold, so we can never be sure what to wear. It is a time of transition. The season calls for it. My lack of time outside is a reflection of this transition.
I've seen Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans flying north, over Bellingham Bay towards their summering grounds in the Arctic circle (in parts of Alaska and Wrangle Island, Siberia, Russia). their departure marks a change in season and indeed an end to the winter.
Speaking of nesting and birds, the American Robins have been out in abundance. Boy are they going after those worms with a vengeance.I watch American Crows and Glaucous-winged Gulls at flight level from the third-floor window of the new apartment.
My new nest is taking shape too. Michelle and I are enjoying our space and moving the twigs around as the other moves the twigs back. Like the birds, we mimic the nesting instinct that is only indicative of the new season. Cleaning the cobwebs from winter and letting the cold and dark go on their merry way. It is Springtime.
On a walk with Michelle yesterday, and during weekend outings with the Boys Explorers' Club, in Fairhaven Park, I have noticed more buds with bigger leaves. The Pussywillows had been out last month and now the Indian Plum are unfurling their ovate green leaves. Soon the Salmonberry will follow suit. Rumor has it that the Stinging Nettles are already getting too big to harvest and I'm sure the Devil's Club thorny reaches are not far behind.
I am getting busy with teaching and work too, so I'm sure that spring is here. Despite being so busy, it is important to spend at least 30 minutes a day outside... just sitting. If nothing else, then a walk in the fresh air will do my mind and body a lot of good.
Happy Spring to us all... let's get outside and enjoy it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)