Appreciating hibernation
Richardson's ground squirrel (Photo by Charles Thomas Hash, Jr. CC-BY-NC)
January 21 marks Squirrel Appreciation Day, an occasion meant to recognize squirrels’ importance in nature. It also happens to be the middle of winter, a time when many animals, including some squirrel species, are hibernating. To me, one of...
5 bird species that stay for winter in Canada
Brown creeper (Photo by Mark Dennis, CC BY-NC 4.0)
Some bird species migrate south for winter, and some are year-round residents in Canada. Others migrate to southern Canada from northern forests or the Arctic and hang around until spring. Birdwatching is one of the easiest ways to enjoy nature,...
Diving into winter hibernation
Northern map turtle (Photo by D. Gordon and E. Robertson)
It’s official: winter has made its way across Canada, and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Humans layer up to brave the cold, and migratory birds make their way to warmer climates, but turtles have their own way of toughing out the...
Beginner's guide to winter tree identification
White ash bud and twig (Photo by Quinten Wiergersma, CC BY 4.0)
Many trees are easier to identify without their leaves. When you’re out for a winter hike, it may seem that there aren’t many clues to identifying the trees around you. Because trees are sporting bare branches, you might think they...
Take them to feel the forest: Winter sensory activities for kids
Snowshoeing in Parc de la Gatineau, QC (Photo by DJ)
I‘ve walked in the woods all my life, but it wasn't until I took young children with me that I noticed how fascinated they were with the variety of textures found in their surroundings. Kids can spend hours feeling, building, touching and...
Yay! The ducks are back!
Mallards — male on the left, female on the right. (Photo by Pia Vahabi/NCC staff)
Here in Toronto, winter and waterfowl don’t necessarily sound like two things that should go together. But the truth is, while some birds (and people) escape Ontario’s cold winter to warmer climes, others migrate from the Arctic to...
8 tips for enjoying your winter experience safely
Spike hike on a relatively warm winter day. (Photo courtesy of Gayle Roodman/NCC staff)
Spending time in nature on a regular basis allows you to observe the subtle changes that happen daily. However, between seasons, the changes aren’t so subtle. In winter, low temperatures and shorter days force species to adapt. Deciduous...
Pileated woodpeckers in the city
Pileated woodpecker (Photo by vtjohn, CC BY-NC 4.0)
If you go birdwatching, you might take your binoculars and plan on sitting for hours at the edge of a marsh or grassland, waiting for the birds to come. If you want to see pileated woodpeckers, you’ll likely go out into the forest. However,...
Canada's largest bird of prey: two bald eagles having a staring contest
After a few minutes of giving each other looks and making small calls, the bald eagle on the left flew off, leaving the carcass for the other eagle to enjoy. (Photo by Nila Sivatheesan/NCC staff)
I’ve always loved being outside and learning about the nature around me, since I was as young as I can remember. So, when I first picked up a camera at 19, I naturally gravitated toward photographing nature and wildlife. Being in nature...
An otterly delightful encounter
River otters (Photo by Dreamstime)
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been asked the question “what is your favourite animal?” As time passes, this question becomes increasingly more difficult for me to answer. How can I pick just one? My favourite species...
