The Moon and Jupiter

It is an amazing night out there.  The 4 degrees C is a little crisp, but with no wind it is just perfect for a walk.  For the past half hour or so I've been walking under the brilliant moon.  If you're out there tonight or in the next couple of days look for Jupiter.  It is the really bright object sitting just below and to the left of the moon. 

Fall is a great time for star-gazing.  The Sky and Telescope website will allow you to check out the sky and find many planets.  Happy Walking!
Troy

Dogberries and Winter

When September rolls into October in Newfoundland and leaves begin to fall some colours jump out. Few are as dramatic as dogberries. The brilliant red berries are left hanging in bunches through the fall/winter and provide continued snacking for the birds that hang around.  It seems they are reserved for those lean winter days and tend not to disappear in fall.

Dogberry an alternate name for these small decidous trees or shrubs. They are actually called Showy Mountain Ash and American Mountain Ash; both are native to Newfoundland.  They look so similar that people tend to call both Dogberry, in Newfoundland and beyond.  There is much variability about whether the berries are edible. Some say no.  They are, in fact, quite useful for jams and jellies, even for dogberry wine. Eating them raw is not recommended; they are very acidic and not enjoyable to eat straight from the tree.

How about as a predicter for a bad winter?  When dogberries ripen people tend to consider the severity of winter based on the amount of fruit. More fruit = a rough, cold winter because more fruit is made available for birds. This has been the subject of much consideration. Who knows?  My non-scientific monitoring over the past 20 years has shown no correlation.  :)

Let's hope for a good one!
Troy

Goldenrod and Fireweed

If you get a moment to walk in the woods in fall - take it.  Newfoundland falls are so amazing.  The colour changes are dramatic and the smells are so different than any other time of the year.  If mosquitos and blackflies have kept you away, fall is your opportunity to reclaim outdoor spaces. 

Two native Newfoundland plants that you will see on roadsides and throughout the landscape is Goldenrod and Fireweed. They have been around all summer but seem to stand out in September when other plants are diminshed.

Goldenrod has a green top for much of the summer so blends in with the backdrop of all green. In late August and September they pop with tons of yellow blossoms. They provide a great source of nectar for bees and wasps trying to wrap up their seasons. Goldenrod grows to a metre tall or a bit less in Newfoundland.  It's such a outstanding plant that it's the state flower of Kentucky and Nebraska.



Fireweed is one of our province's coolest plants. It too grows along roadsides and is especially abundant on cut-overs and open spaces.  The name comes from its ability to quickly establish itself on burnt places.  Like Goldenrod, Fireweed can be easy to miss for much of the summer.  In August and through September the purple-pink flowers emerge. Into the fall a nice transition happens. The plant appears fuzzy and it's feathery parts detach to spread seeds.  Fireweed tends to grow more than a metre tall in Newfoundland.   


Get out there and check them out!
T.

Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease

In Newfoundland we are fortunate to be insulated from the spread of some insects commonly found on the mainland.  We don't hear much about Deer Ticks or Lyme Disease here.  There is actually a small population of Deer Ticks (aka Black-Legged Ticks) in the province.  In fact, I just read a note out of Clarenville that a dog there tested positive for Lyme Disease and Deer Ticks have been found in the area.

Though deer is the desirable host for Deer Ticks, our moose and caribou populations may offer an adequate host to enable to population to grow.  You can provide protection for your pets. A community vet will have the appropriate collars.  People do get Lyme Disease - it comes following a bite (i.e. sucking blood) by a infected tick.  Not all ticks will have been infected by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.  If you are bitten and it was by a tick - expect a rash which expands outwards over several days, aches, chills, fever and other symptoms. Have this checked out by your doctor and get treated.

If you plan to hike in summer and will be travelling through long grass or brush, wearing pants would be a preventative measure. If you think you've found a tick bring it to a local or provincial government vet.
T.

Yarrow...little bouquets

Hi,
It's good to be back, returning from 35 C temperatures to a more comfortable 20 C or so.  The weather here has been no-so-good for much of the summer.  However, if you like doing things outside and can appreciate breathing fresh, salty air without being overwhelmed with heat, Newfoundland is the place to be.

While on a walk today I saw so many native plants now in bloom.  One which can easily be missed is Yarrow.  It grows throughout the province and is common in drier areas.  They are usually easy to spot on roadsides. The flowers are white and if pulled from the plant in small bunches they resemble tiny bouquets of flowers. Kids are fasinated by this. The leaves are almost feathery.  

The plant has been used for varying purposes over the centuries. Thousands of years ago it was used to staunch the flow of blood from wounds. So glad we've evolved from that.  I've read that in rare cases it can cause an allergic skin reaction.

When you are out and about take notice of this common plant.
T.

The June Bug has its own month too.

With June drawing to a close, it's timely to give a shout out to the June Bug.  It's actually called a June Beetle, but they are know as bugs most everywhere.  The June Bug is found in Newfoundland but it isn't common. It you see it or come into contact you will remember it.  June Bugs are about as large as we see and they are quite stout.  They are about an inch long and are brown in colour.  The body segments are compact so it appears as one solid nugget with three pairs of legs.

June Bugs emerge in late June to early July in Newfoundland. I've seen them mostly on the western part of the province and have not seen any on the east coast. If something bounces heavy near your porch light it could very well be the June Bug. Its interest is in biting leaves, not people.  :)

I'm heading out on a two-week journey and will post again when I return.  Thanks for visiting.
T.

Collecting Mussels in Newfoundland

If you travel around Newfoundland this summer most restaurants will have Mussels on the menu as an appetizer or as part of a seafood dish. They are delicious.  The Mussel is a member of the clam family and are found throughout Newfoundland. Here the 3-4 inch shells are mostly dark blue with some light blue sections. When boiled/steamed the insides turn either a pale or brilliant orange. Mussels picked during a full moon seem to offer the biggest yield.  Those in restaurants come from Mussel farms where thousands are suspended on lines in small isolated coves.

If you decide to collect Mussels visit small coves away from settlements. Wait for low tide and if they are present many will be accessible attached to the shoreline. Collecting is a common practice locally and some people travel to beaches ready for a cook-up.  It just takes a small fire, a large pot and you'd boil them in sea water. When the shells open they are cooked.  The downside of collecting Mussels is that some will have tiny black pearls which are crunchy.  Don't collect them when the surf is up; no need to fall into the ocean.

Enjoy getting out in Newfoundland. The thousands of miles of coastline offers much adventure. 
T.

Water Beetle

There are some insects which usually stay out of sight and are so different from the norm that they totally freak people out.  One of those is the Water Beetle.  They are found in Newfoundland and throughout the world.  It's a big insect - often 2 to 4 inches long and with a very stout body. The hind legs are visible, flattened and with fine hairs to help propel them in water.

Because they spent the majority of their time living in water and hidden under its surface - they rarely come into contact with people.  However Water Beetles have wings and can fly long distances.  They are attracted to lights and some believe they mistake roads for still water.  They are unlikely to intentionally come into contact with humans and only want to find a water source. Still, at least once each summer a Water Beetle will emerge among my friends. Treat them well - they mean no harm to you or your property.  
T.

Tadpole Time

While Newfoundland does not have any native frogs, several species have been introduced over the years.  The American Toad, Mink Frog, Green Frog and Wood Frog are found throughout the province. Of these the Green Frog is the least secure. In local communities people tend to know where the frog pond(s) are located.  I only know of a few places on the east coast and in central parts of the province.  I've stumbled upon these by accident.

June is a great time to get out near small ponds with your kids.  Usually tadpoles begin to emerge by now.  If you find some it'll make going back each week really exciting. The development is quite fast.  This year does seem slower due to the colder temperatures.  Yesterday I visited a well-populated pond and only saw two small tadpoles. They are fun to catch, but are quite swift - adding to the fun.  Find a frog pond - you'll be drawn back there throughout the summer!
T.

Visitors

Hi there,
Just a quick note to say thanks for visiting this blog. The numbers and visitor locations have increased steadily and I'm humbled that you are taking a moment to visit.  Here's where people have viewed the blog from in the past week: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Philippines, Germany, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malaysia, Brazil, Greece, Belgium, Spain and Taiwan. 

If you see a plant/bug/theme which reminds you of things in your neck of the woods please drop a comment and/or a pic.  Thanks again!
T.

Snout Beetle

You may be reading this and thinking 'Snout Beetle, do we really have such a thing?'.   Yeah, we actually do.  These beetles are found in Newfoundland and throughout North America. There are many different members.  For the most part you will not encounter Snout Beetles on your travels.  They rarely enter your house and if so they are there by accident. If you find one it will most likely play dead while you usher it outside.  I've sometimes had them cling to my finger when dropping outside - but they only clung and did not bite.

Most Snout Beetles are pests to cultivated plants.  So, you're most likely to see them in your garden...or evidence of their damage.  I'm not sure how common they are in Newfoundland - I only see a couple each summer.  If you see one, the snout is unmistakable!  There are antenna on either side of the snout and the beetle is about 1 cm long.
T.

Rhodora: Painting Newfoundland Purple

A walk in Newfoundland's woods or along the coastline in June provides an amazing display of new growth.  A colour which begins in May/June and lasts throughout the season is purple - or its varieties. Right now and for the next couple of weeks the Rhodora is in bloom. In fact, if you are out and about in Newfoundland right now the rose-purple you see is most likely Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense).

Rhodora is a native shrub to Newfoundland and can be found throughout the east coast of Canada and the northern U.S.  Look for them on bogs or in other wet places.  They are pretty but toxic.  Rhodora can be found in bunches spannning several meters and much further. They stand at about knee-height and are often among other woody-stemmed plants such as Sheep Laurel and Labrador Tea.

Pause and take a closer look at Rhodora on your next excursion. The flowers will only last until about the end of June.
T.

Newfoundland from Space

I saw this pic recently while watching the CBC program 'Here and Now'.  It is a remarkable view of Newfoundland's east coast from space.  In the past week the east coast has been blanketed with fog while today the west coast had sunny skies and 24 degrees C.  In Newfoundland the wet, foggy days coincide with caplin season - small fish which spawn on many beaches each June.  These foggy days are therefore referred to as 'caplin weather'.  
T.

Cherry Blossoms in Newfoundland

Newfoundland is not particularly known for its cherry blossoms.  There are no fesitvals to mark the new blooms and they certainly are not plentiful. Yet, in the past couple of days cherry blossoms have emerged and have provided some pretty flowers to launch the growing season.  You just have to know where to look.

The province has two native cherry trees, the Pin Cherry and Choke Cherry.  Neither grow to become large trees so expect a heigth in the range of three to six metres.  An unfortunate identifying feature on the larger trees is Black Knot, a fungus which attacks the trees and appears as a large black lump on branches. The Pin Cherry is more common and appears throughout the province. It will produce small, edible berries in late summer. They are quite nice for nibbling.

On your hikes look for small, five-petal flowers with yellow centres.  It's the Pin Cherry.
T.

Pounding Waves at Middle Cove Beach

Last evening I was visiting St. John's and took a drive out to Middle Cove Beach - about 15 minutes drive from downtown. What a cool aspect about the place; absolute nature just outside the city and everywhere else in the province. I arrived just before dusk and the waves were pounding the shore - beautiful. Also, the roar of the ocean was everywhere. It was a bit chilly with the wind, but tolerable.

Get out and enjoy these beaches, just keep a safe distance to avoid being swept out to sea. I've pasted in a video below from the beach, though the seas were not quite this rough on my visit.
T.

Red Maple or Reddish Maple?

It has been a beautiful day in Newfoundland.  The trees have begun to flush and things are looking great.  When it comes to plants and trees sometimes the logical name for something is nearly correct, but not quite so. The Red Maple frequently comes up when my friends ask about tree identification. It seems a no-brainer. The Red Maple is native to Newfoundland and the leaf has that perfect maple leave shape.  In fact, the maple leaf on the Canadian flag is modelled after the Red Maple.

Through most of its leaf season the Red Maple has green leaves. It's true brilliance emerges in fall when the leaves are dramatically red.  The occasional Red Maple among evergreens makes for an awesome contrast.

The debate comes from a reddish maple which is not native, but is quite frequent in gardens throughout the province. It's the Crimson Maple and has a reddish-burgandy colour.  The Crimson Maple begins red and stays red throughout the season. Naturally, people refer to these beautiful trees as red maples because that's exactly what they look like! 

It's all in the name...and colour!
T.


Crimson Maple

Blackflies!!

The hiccup of living in a climate like Newfoundland's is while we wait for winter to merge into spring and summer, we too accept the company of insects.  Most simply mind their own business but the Black Fly needs your blood.  :)   Blackflies have begun to emerge in Newfoundland, though they were not-so-bad this past weekend. Temperature plays a role in hatching so numbers varied across the province. June tends to be a very difficult month for blackflies.  Many campers/hikers question their choices around that time.  I have been in the deep woods in June when they are simply a cloud - on every skin surface and in my mouth.  Not fun.  The Lure of the Labrador Wild vividly described just how bad blackflies can get.

You'll notice in Newfoundland that blackflies are around from spring through to early fall.  They vary in size and aggressiveness. This is because we have about 12 different blackfly species emerging at differing times.  There is a die-off during the hot days of July, making July to August tolerable days in the woods. Blackflies are small, 1-5 mm long.  Both males and females use nectar for energy.  The males do not bite.  Females have biting mouth parts made for cutting skin and they use your blood for egg development. 

Staying near the ocean - with open spaces and winds - is probably best if you do not wish to tolerate blackflies.  Some believe that light clothing and few scented products reduce contact...but, they seem to like some people more than others!  Bug lotions are effective to varying degrees. Some people develop allergic reactions to fly bites.
Enjoy the great outdoors!
T.

Camping Weekend

This is the Victoria Day long weekend in Canada and marks the official start to camping season in Newfoundland.  It tends to be a roll-of-the-dice weather wise and this weekend we rolled mostly rain once again.  At the moment it's about 6 degrees C outside and the rain is off and on until sometime Sunday afternoon. The bright side?  The black flies have not emerged in huge numbers yet so hopefully people will enjoy the outside, though damp and chilly.

Newfoundlanders are a hardly bunch and will get outside today. Have a grand time and be safe.
I'm packing up in a few minutes.
T.

Tip of the Burin Peninsula

If you live in Newfoundland or have even seen the map you'll know of many very cool distinguishing features.  One of those is the Burin Peninsula.  It is our boot-like shape. Very different from Italy but there it is - geography which looks like a boot!  If you travel within Newfoundland I'd recommend a visit to the Burin Peninsula.  It is about 150 km from main highway to the first large communities, Marystown and Burin, and the drive is quite something.  Large, open vistas - beautiful.

Just last summer we drove around the tip of the Burin Peninsula. We left our nice B&B at Marystown and spent most of the day driving and stopping before making our way back to Marystown. The landscape was amazing and differed from many other parts of the province. We stopped at St. Lawrence, where the U.S.S. Truxton and Pollux went ashore in 1942.  Sailors were rescued by local miners. The route takes you past the ferry to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, the French (yes, France) islands 25 km from Newfoundland. Lovely place.

Not far from St. Lawrence stands a little but very cool forest of windmills.  Very impressive.
T.

This Wasp is a Yellowjacket

When it comes to wasps, people who don't like them don't like them a lot!  A Yellowjacket is a type of wasp. With its potential to be nasty and dangerous, they make us avoid them at all costs.  Even though we can logically say that it's a small insect and its sting are no big deal - the irrational fear of wasps can make one react dramatically.

Yellowjackets are common throughout Newfoundland in summer, though not enough to impede most folks.  They will be most noticed in early summer when searching for a place to build or late summer when searching frantically for rare nectar.  If you camp or sit outside with food they will be attracted to sweet things.  Wasps will mostly not bother you - but sometimes whether you wave your arms wildly or stand still, one will make you a target.  They can sting as a many times as they like and do not die from the act of stinging.  Your best bet - move slowly and gain some space from them.  If you react to the sting get help immediately.

You'll find wasp nests in dry, undisturbed places.  Before you move the overturned boat in mid-summer take a quick peek inside. Some are also built into the ground.  If you find one it's best to have pest control remove it.  If you're adventurous the small beginning ones (baseball sized) can be destroyed at a safe distance with a water hose. If it's football sized - danger!

Wasps are excellent pollenators and we need them.  Take care to avoid contact this summer.
T.