David Hawke is a naturalist who is well known for his outdoor writing and photography. David has worked for several agencies and organizations around Lake Simcoe. In his weekly blog, he shares his observations and insights related to our local natural environment.
By David Hawke -- Depending on who you are, where you are and what the situation is, encountering a black bear can elicit any range of personal responses.
By David Hawke – They are big, green, elegant, and look like they belong in a tropical jungle.
By David Hawke -- So, what's bugging you?
By David Hawke -- As we sat by the lakeshore, basking in the setting sun, we marveled at the air show being performed in front of us. The loop-the-loops were incredible, the mid-air formations almost heart-stopping, and the assertive manoeuvres to claim air space certainly demanded respect. A bonus to this event was that there were no screaming jet engines, no withering exhaust fumes or tell-tale contrails, just a ballet of motion.
By David Hawke -- Although birdwatching is certainly a year-round activity for naturalists,
By David Hawke -- In the world of wildflowers, orchids are the 'superstars'.
By David Hawke -- Each spring we (well, okay, my wife Julie) tries to "improve" the looks of the landscape around our home, the most obvious endeavor usually being the flower gardens.
Here's a new one for you... "When is a woodpecker not a woodpecker? When it's a flicker!"
By David Hawke -- Observing a springtime blossom is such a simple joy.
By David Hawke -- I pause and take a look at the daunting line of pine trees still ahead of me: "1,800 down and 400 to go."
By David Hawke -- A white-tailed deer had made its presence known by a series of nipped-off trillium stems, a seasonal reminder that the deer are always out there, always hungry. Aside from human bouquet-gatherers, trilliums usually don't have too much to worry about, other than a wandering doe.
By David Hawke -- It starts with a single peep, usually on an April eve. Just a peep.
By David Hawke -- The country lane looked peaceful enough, the first true warming rays of springtime sun easily splashing down on the still damp gravel. The snow had gone, with a few small puddles of melt water all that remained to remember the winter snows. As I wandered along, little did I know that this was a scene of great anxiety, as I had just intruded on the butterfly wars.
By David Hawke -- While the name 'timberdoodle' may sound wacky, it somehow seems to fit the bird whose moniker it is.
By David Hawke -- I have a challenge with otters.
By David Hawke – At the end of each winter, usually mid to late March, there comes a time when the snow conditions are ideal for walking, just about anywhere, without the aid of snowshoes or skis.
By David Hawke -- While reading through an agricultural newspaper last week, I came upon a short article about bees and apple orchards.
By David Hawke -- Maybe it's just the time of year, but each March many people, myself included, get a tad melancholy. Each day passes looking much the last... and tomorrow is shaping up to be a lot like today. Ho-hum. Is it just us, or are we missing something?
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