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 -- 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.
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.
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