Connecting Lake Simcoe's Community

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 -- Buffleheads and ringnecks. Goldeneyes and bluebills. Hoodies and woodies.

By David Hawke -- The snowbanks are melting, tree sap is running, puddles are ripe for splashing and the annual springtime mess under the bird feeders is once again revealed.

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?

By David Hawke -- You don't see them very often, but when you do it's a moment to remember. With their bright scarlet top-knot and striking black-and-white plumage, the pileated woodpecker is a bird that looks quite “dressed-up.”

By David Hawke - As a nature-loving kind of guy I like to think that a report of a species strengthening its population is a good thing.

By David Hawke -- About the only time a chickadee remains still is when it's dead, sleeping, or about to become dead.

By David Hawke -- "Art is where you find it. Art is all around us, always."

By David Hawke -- "Cause and effect" is a term that is well known in the scientific community (and I imagine it's just as well known in the social community).

By David Hawke -- The pattern of holes in the snow revealed where a red squirrel had come forth from the distant spruce trees.

By David Hawke -- Just as the temperature slides up and down the thermometer, so too does the level of activity around our bird feeders.