Jürgen Tautz, Bee Scientist Extraordinaire

      One of the common reactions to the book reviews I publish here on my blog is the wish that the work was available in translation; not everyone can read English well, especially a book dealing with a technical subject.

     I am happy to report that some of the works of Dr. Jürgen Tautz, a remarkable expert on bees, and a writer who is capable of conveying complex information in a very readable style, have been made available in French and Polish. I hold Jürgen in the highest esteem and it pleases me greatly that wider access to his books is now available. 

     I say without hyperbole that one of the most important works I have reviewed - ever (Communication Between Honeybees) - is now available in both French and Polish.

     It is a significant step forward that there is an ever-expanding audience for this very important work with its revelations about bee communication.

     Furthermore, an earlier collaboration between Ingo Arndt and Jürgen Tautz (Wild Honey Bees - An Intimate Portrait) is now accessible to a French audience.

     The photographs alone in this book will stun you! Their complex beauty is an admission ticket to the inner workings of the life of wild bees, in details never before revealed.

     A couple of other works are available to a French audience too, but these are works that I have not reviewed. A Tautz book, however, is an imprimatur of excellence; I have no doubts about making that assertion sight unseen.

     As the world plunges headlong into war after war, and political expediency and deceit cause our stomachs to churn, it is good to acknowledge that there remains some sanity in the world. Books are being translated and widely disseminated, not banned. 

     Imagine that!

The Beautiful Women of my Cuban Family (Las bellas mujeres de mi familia cubana)

      I have just returned from my fifth trip to Cuba, leading a group of keen birders to experience not only the natural history of Cuba, but its culture and its wonderful people.

     Some of them have become family to me, in every sense but shared biology. They are dear and precious and always in my heart.

     Here is my sensational Cuban guide, Tania Piñeiro Cordero, with her two daughters, Mariana on the left, Rocío, on the right. What a fine job Tania has done in raising two exceptional young women, who doubtless will make their mark in the world.

     They are always ready with a kiss for Mama.

     And it all began with two incredible grandmothers, stalwarts both, an example to the world. They have tackled difficulties and adversity that would cow most of us, but they have faced life with strength, courage, and most of all with fierce dedication to their families.

Amalia Caridad Cordero, Yolanda Brito

     I salute them all. 

A Walk on the Wild Side with Lisa

10 November, 2023

F.W.R Dickson Wilderness Area, North Dumfries, ON 

     It's always a joy to go out with Lisa, and a morning at the F. W. R. Dickson Wilderness Area seemed just the ticket. 

     Fungi seem to have been quite sparse this year, so it was encouraging to see these handsome Shaggy Manes (Coprinus comatus).

     These mushrooms are edible and were in prime condition, but we resisted the temptation to take them home.

     One does not have to proceed far along the trail when a boardwalk traverses the swamp, and a jaunty Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) was perched on a post to greet us.

     Last winter there was a good deal of excitement when three Tufted Titmouses (Baelophus bicolor) put in an appearance at Dickson Wilderness and stayed for the winter. 

     I am convinced that this charming little bird is undertaking a range expansion and we saw five birds together today. Perhaps this is bona fide evidence of breeding, and within a few years Tufted Titmouse may be quite common.

     One may hope!

     Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is to be expected, of course, and this individual seem to be trying to stand as upright as a pipit!

     A male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a marquis performer at any time.

     How about another picture of a Tufted Titmouse?

     Well, just one more. There are always a number of photographers present, carrying between them a king's ransom in equipment, and they liberally distribute seed along the rail of the boardwalk as enticement to the birds - who are quite happy to take advantage of a free meal as you might imagine.

     This Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) has perhaps visited the avian hair salon for the latest in biker bird coiffure!

     Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) looked exceptionally lovely, I thought.

     The Tamaracks (Larix laricina) have turned to gold and their reflected glory was breathtaking.

     What would a morning in southern Ontario be like without Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) passing overhead?

     Grey Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is bearing fruit.

     I think the following mushrooms are a type of Oysterling (genus Panellus) but they are a little degraded and not easy to identify.

     Round-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica americana) will bloom again in spring when the woodland carpet will be a riot of colour and new growth.

     This location is evidently ideally suited to Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and it was frequently encountered.

     The leaves can achieve an impressive size.

     It was curious to see this fungus in the hole at the base of a tree, but I have been unable to identify it.

     Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) was dotted here and there, pristine green against the browns and beiges of fallen leaves.

     Running Strawberry-Bush (Euonymus obovatus) is very beautiful, and was quite prolific.

     Here is the story of the landscape.

     As we walked around the trail we heard the very loud, incessant sound of a woodpecker, with an excavation type of cadence rather than drumming. It took us a while to find the source, but it was a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) creating one of the trademark cavities of this species.

     Miriam was able to capture the above picture when it poked its head out,  just before flying off.

     We were delighted to come upon this Orange-fruited Horse Gentian (Triosteum aurantiacum), yet another woodland delight.

     The soil conditions seem especially favourable to oaks here and there were many of them. I am pretty sure this is a Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis), asleep for the approaching winter.

     A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was also preparing for the cold season ahead.

     The conventional mnemonic for Black Cherry (Prunus seratina) is Burnt Cornflakes, since that is what the bark resembles, and I think you can see how this is an effective device.

     Not surprisingly, American Beavers (Castor canadensis) have been busy - and like humans, they don't always finish the job!

     The lake looked tranquil on a beautiful fall morning.

     What was I just saying about oaks?

     We found several small branches of Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) like the one shown below, severed by squirrels, I assume.

     To continue with our morning's woodpecker success, a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) put in an appearance.

     And Lisa, she of the keen ears, had heard a Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) earlier.

     While we were looking at the Red-bellied Woodpecker Lisa (she also of the keen eyes) spotted a Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) hitching its way up a tree. The photographs below are hers, and while not terrific they do illustrate how well this bird can camouflage.

      Nature does not operate with photographers in mind.

     There was a considerable amount of invasive buckthorn in places, laden with berries, and American Robins (Turdus migratorius) seemed at times almost as numerous as the berries!

     As we were preparing to leave, a male Downy Woodpecker graced us with his presence and we felt suitable honoured I can assure you.

     Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) no longer bears its perfectly formed yellow flowers, yet the green of its leaves is a wonderful sight against a carpet of brown.

Bannister Lake, North Dumfries, ON

     While at FWR Dickson Wilderness Area we heard Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) flying over, and Lisa (there go those sharp eyes again) caught a brief glimpse of "a couple of dozen." They were heading in the direction of Bannister Lake and we called in there before leaving for home. Lisa was especially perceptive as it turned out - we counted twenty-four!

     There were even more Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris).

     And, as you might expect, Canada Geese.

     If Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky had not already composed a sublime Swan Lake I might have been inspired to do it myself!

     There were Mute Swans (Cygnus olor).....

     ..... and Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator).

     Until the next time.....