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Don Scallen

Don Scallen enjoys sharing his love of nature through his writing and presentations. Check out his blog "Notes from the Wild".

Winter Bird Counting

Jan 17, 2011

The Christmas Bird Count is an annual tradition that entices naturalists to down steaming cups of pre-dawn coffee and then head out birding at first light.

Elms

Nov 28, 2010

I grew up in the shade of elm trees that arched magnificently across the suburban street where I lived as a young boy. Then, one by one they began to die.

Brook Trout

Nov 3, 2010

Make sure to enter Don’s “Name these fish” contest (see details in this article). Deadline: November 30th!

Vultures

Oct 11, 2010

Despite their “refined” eating habits, vultures have traits that endear us.

Spiders: Intricate Weavers

Sep 20, 2010

On cool September mornings, dew reveals the intricate weavings of spiders.

Has the Cat Come Back?

Sep 13, 2010

The last cougar in Ontario was shot at Creemore in 1884. Now, after the passage of more than a century, a modest “re-wilding” is underway. But what of the cougar? Has the cat come back?

Monarchs: Children of the Sun

Aug 30, 2010

Monarchs are children of the sun. The boldness of Sol this summer has energized their life cycle.

Underwing Moths

Aug 9, 2010

Nighttime flyers with a sweet tooth! (ironic considering they have no teeth at all!). If you plan to host a dinner party for them, a mélange of sugary foods and alcohol is called for.

Snapping Turtles

Jul 21, 2010

Grist for spinners of tall tales, snapping turtles are on the verge of becoming endangered. May these reptiles of prehistoric visage long patrol our wetlands.

Bumblebees

Jul 5, 2010

At this time of year when we celebrate Canada Day, Don Scallen celebrates the hardy bumblebee, the “true Canadian” of the insect world.

Showy Lady’s Slipper orchids

Jun 18, 2010

With its glorious pink and white blossoms and thumb-sized pouches, this orchid is perhaps the most exquisite of all our wildflowers.

Flight of the Bumblebee (and other pollinators)

Jun 15, 2010

In “Flight of the Bumblebee” Don Scallen says we owe a debt of gratitude to pollinating insects for keeping food on the tables of the human race!

Cecropia Moths Stir Like Phantoms in the Twilight

Jun 5, 2010

Cecropia moths: Strange and wonderful phantoms of the twilight world.

Warblers are Tropical Emissaries

May 19, 2010

Lured by warm weather and a bonanza of insects, warblers return from tropical realms. By Don Scallen.

In Praise of the Humble Toad

May 3, 2010

The mellifluous trilling of toads resonates through our hills at this time of year. The tranquil sound wafting through an open window on a warm mid-spring eve is delightful.

Spring Peepers

Apr 18, 2010

On warm evenings in April and May our hills awaken to the life affirming voices of spring peepers. Their shrill calls stir the winter weary soul.

April is Salamander Time

Apr 9, 2010

Don Scallen introduces us to three species of salamanders that are starting to appear in our hills. The first half of April is salamander time in our hills.

Herons and Co.

Mar 21, 2010

Herons and egrets wading in local wetlands or silhouetted against blue skies, excite people whenever they are seen. They speak to us of grace, elegance and regal bearing. We would do well to listen to what they have to say.