JANUARY RAMBLINGS
Before I forget......I was reading in two of my favorite nature books, THE BOOK OF SWAMP AND BOG and its companion, THE BOOK OF FOREST AND THICKET, both by John Eastman. These are both valuable information tools in answering the questions that constantly arise on my walks. What is unique about them is that they don't just consider a plant without tying in its associated creatures that may feed on its leaves or lay eggs in its tissues. This is the way nature should be considered - as a part of a whole. For example you can't study birds without knowing which trees they may nest in, what foods they eat, and who their predators may be. Anyway, I was scanning the pages of these books trying to identify a recent plant discovery. I stopped and read the section on Cattails, becoming reacquainted with some of the associated species that live in and among these plants. There are spiders that fold its leaves to create nurseries, and insects that feed, only on and in, the flower and seed spikes! Most of us know of the birds that make a cattail habitat home. This book told me how to identify nests that may be found in dense cattail vegetation. I had underlined, and then remembered that where sufficient numbers of muskrat exist, we should look for signs of its chief predator....can you guess? A mink! Which brought me back to those snow tracks where I had mink and muskrat walking side by side! Wake up Ronnie, minks are carnivorous; muskrat are primarily herbivores! Anyway, you might look up these books to expand your understanding of the many interweavings of natural occurrences.

This deer was seen feeding down in the orchard along with six or seven others around 3:30PM. I kept looking to see if one was growing antlers, but found none. Notice how gray their fur is. This is the time of year to hunt for shed antlers. Since they are white, they should be easier to find since we have no snow to cover and hide them. I'm always looking, and will let you know if I find another. I've found about 5 or 6 in my lifetime!

In the absence of snow, I am marveling at the number of plants that remain evergreen. There are places in our woods where moss makes a vibrant green carpeted ground cover. There are evergreen ferns also, and here is one of my favorites - Polypody. It grows on rocks and its fronds hang down, again with rich green foliage. This is a small fern, but cold weather doesn't seem to affect its growth.

Sometimes the dropped leaves of plants create an eye catching scene. These are the leaves from a shrub called Sweet Fern. The leaves look quite fern like, but of course it is a seed plant. When these leaves are green and attached, they can be gathered to make a tasty tea! Sweet Fern also has interesting flowers that lack the usual petals and color, but the fruit of this plant looks like a spiny Sea Urchin! So here was something else that caught my eye on a winter's walk. I have more on my plate, but will wait to share...so keep looking! 1/12/07 Rambling Ronnie