Connecting Lake Simcoe's Community

By David Hawke -- As one studies the natural environment, trying to understand the inter-relationships of many species, the exercise can become a bit overwhelming. I say this as one who has had the privilege to work in and for our environment for several decades. Concepts once considered simple and straightforward have become very complex.

By David Hawke -- Snow insulates, ice not so much. This little fact comes into play in a big way if you happen to be a deer mouse, meadow vole or, occasionally, a ruffed grouse.

By David Hawke -- As I hauled garbage bags and blue bins out to the end of our lane, the neatly laid pattern of fox tracks in the snow caught my eye.

By David Hawke -- According to TV advertisements, this is the season of magic.

By David Hawke -- Every eight or 10 years, the woodlots and backyards of our region erupt in rabbits. Rabbits on the lawn, rabbits in the garden, rabbits crossing the road, dead rabbits laid at your feet by the family cat, and well, just rabbits everywhere. This is a natural cycle with the realm of nature, and peaks within a fairly regular period.

By David Hawke -- Bird feeders are fun and educational, as anyone who has one knows.

By David Hawke -- It's nice to have time to read the “Daily Journal,” but just make sure you're dressed for the occasion.

By David Hawke -- They're back! Well, in some places anyway. Evening grosbeaks are rather commanding in appearance and when they hit your feeding station, you notice them.

By David Hawke - Legacy is a word we hear a lot lately, especially as it relates to the passing of a legendary person, or great event (e.g. WWI 100th anniversary).

By David Hawke - The annual autumn colour party was short-lived this year.

By David Hawke - Just about exactly 468 years ago (that would be circa 1540 A. D. for those of you who are bad at math) a new word was recorded.

By David Hawke -- There are certain, unmistakable, signs of seasonal change.

By David Hawke -- Halloween can be scary, but even scarier invasive plants are already amongst us!

By David J. Hawke -- Autumn is not so much a time to pause and reflect on summer, as it is a time to prepare for winter.

By David Hawke -- Autumn is for artists.

By David Hawke - Physics is the science that deals with the relationships between matter and energy.

By David Hawke -- Early October is mushroom season! Now is the time to look for fabulous fall fungi popping up in woodlots all across the region.

By David Hawke - There is a fascination with migration that shows up every autumn.

By David Hawke -- Any hiker who has covered more than a couple of kilometres will attest to the usefulness of a walking stick. However, 'walking sticks' can be more than an ornately carved tree branch -- they can also be very interesting insects.

By David Hawke - Although most of September is still officially summer, a lot of autumnal events start to roll out early in the month.