Partridgeberry is a small green vine that grows on the forest floor of eastern north america. Not many people know this plant, but it can be quite common and has an edible berry which is great for survival situations and as a quick hiking snack. So today let’s wander into the world of partridgeberry with everything from identification and edible qualities to growing locations & … [Read more...] about All About Partridgeberry: An Edible Groundcover Forest Vine
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Easy Winter Tree Identification: Birch, Oak, Beech & Maple
Tree identification can be very challenging in winter, but some trees are much easier than others to start with. So let’s look at 4 common trees that are also some of the easiest to identify in winter. It’s all here in the following video: For the video mentioned at the end: Go check out How To Read The Secrets Of A Forest You can also read below for more details on how to identify … [Read more...] about Easy Winter Tree Identification: Birch, Oak, Beech & Maple
8 Bird Watching Tips For Winter (That You May Not Have Heard)
Even though there’s less diversity of bird species in winter, many common northern and year round species are still quite active. These factors add up to mean that winter is filled with fantastic opportunities to observe a variety of common bird species & behaviors. So let’s explore how you can make the most of winter bird watching with these bird watching tips for the cold season. … [Read more...] about 8 Bird Watching Tips For Winter (That You May Not Have Heard)
How To Make Wintergreen Tea: Plant ID & Video Demonstration
Wintergreen is one of my favorite wild edibles to share with beginners of plant foraging. Whenever I see this common little shrub growing in the woods, I can’t help but grab a leaf and tear it open to get that beautiful minty wintergreen scent. Wintergreen is a great way to get started with learning about plants because it’s super delicious and there are some unmistakable identification … [Read more...] about How To Make Wintergreen Tea: Plant ID & Video Demonstration
How To Connect With Nature In Winter (10 Of The Best Activities To Go Deep And Get Wild!)
As the cold weather sets in, taking time to get outside and experience nature is one of the best ways to support mental & physical health. But many people find it difficult to connect with nature during winter months. Sometimes it’s the discomfort of being in the elements, or feeling generally a bit depressed during the dark time of year. Or sometimes it just feels like there isn’t much … [Read more...] about How To Connect With Nature In Winter (10 Of The Best Activities To Go Deep And Get Wild!)
Red Squirrel vs Grey Squirrel: 8 Key Differences Explained
Red squirrels and grey squirrels share a lot of overlapping territory throughout their range, which often leads to confusion when telling them apart. But contrary to their names, relying on color alone to tell red squirrels vs grey squirrels can be very misleading. Did you know grey squirrels aren't always grey? In fact size is often the biggest clue, with additional key differences in … [Read more...] about Red Squirrel vs Grey Squirrel: 8 Key Differences Explained
Quick Guide To Mast Trees: Magic of Bumper Crops, 7 Examples & Implications For Wildlife
As the growing season comes to a close every autumn, something magical happens in the forest which has massive implications for the lives of billions of creatures. They’re called mast trees! And today I’m going to share a quick introduction with all the basics you need to know to identify mast trees and reap the benefits of their harvest. So what are mast trees? A mast tree is any tree … [Read more...] about Quick Guide To Mast Trees: Magic of Bumper Crops, 7 Examples & Implications For Wildlife
Why Are Blue Jays So Noisy? (stellars, scrub & gray jays too!)
If you spend much time in the woods then you’ve probably had the experience of being suddenly inundated with a noisy flock of jays. Jays are sometimes so noisy that even people who aren’t at all interested in birds wonder what’s happening to make them act so crazy. So let’s explore this... why are blue jays so noisy? There are 3 common reasons for noisy Jay behavior: During courtship: … [Read more...] about Why Are Blue Jays So Noisy? (stellars, scrub & gray jays too!)
How Do Foxes Hunt Their Prey? (Technique, diet & where to see them in action!)
One thing I love about foxes is they’re just so easy to observe on the hunt. Foxes hunt in a relatively small area compared to larger-sized predators which means you don’t have to search as far to find them, and their populations can be quite high within a relatively defined area. When you understand their hunting strategy, it’s like a roadmap to having some pretty amazing moments watching … [Read more...] about How Do Foxes Hunt Their Prey? (Technique, diet & where to see them in action!)
How To Identify Coniferous Trees: Easy tricks for pine, spruce, fir & more
When I started learning tree identification, one of my first goals was to find an easy method to quickly identify coniferous trees. Most common types of coniferous trees can be easily identified by observing simple characteristics in how the tree grows, such as: How long are the needles?Are the needles soft or pokey?Do the needles grow in a flat plane or encircle the branch?What does … [Read more...] about How To Identify Coniferous Trees: Easy tricks for pine, spruce, fir & more