I would like to offer another iNaturalist free training workshop on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026, from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. in Orangeville. I will send the specific location as well as a reading list to those who RSVP to me. Bring a camera, any special lenses you have, a tripod if one is required to do careful focusing by your camera and lenses, a notebook, a laptop or tablet or smartphone, and questions. I have several tripods you can borrow. Or just come, although the more you attempt the more I believe you’ll learn. If you do not have an iNaturalist account, I’ll suggest that you set one up ahead of time. They are free, and it takes only a couple of minutes to get your account basically established. Go to https://www.inaturalist.ca/ I will send those who RSVP to me a short reading list that might take you half… Read more »
Marvellous stretch of weather, eh? After such a long lush wet growing season, we’re finally having a true Southern Ontario summer that’s straddling the astronomical boundary between Summer and Fall. Highlights of my natural history this summer include the amazing diversity and beauty of fungi produced on one old poplar stump right in by backyard! On a twenty-year-old stump that’s only ever had Dryad’s Saddle, Polyporus squamosus, suddenly beginning in the middle of July and continuing to the present, I’ve had a succession of amazing finds, only one of which I’ve ever seen before! The surprises began with the brilliant yellow Creeping Dog-vomit Slime Mold, Fuligo septica — which is the one find I’ve actually had before in my yard. (It’s actually a slime mold, not even related to fungi, but I hope you’ll excuse my sloppy phylogeny …) Then came a large brownish brown-spored gilled fungus that I’ve not… Read more »
