Paperbark as a Fire Starter

Paperbark, in this case a paperbark maple fragment has been used as a fire starter/tinder due to flammable oils in the bark. We tried the theory with a magnifying glass.  The charring seen in the photo occurred in less than ten seconds, but with a few trials only one burst into flame.  This was a trial near the edge,possibly more surface area.  It was a cold windy day adding to the difficulty.  Behind the bark is dryer lint, attempting to get a real flame going. Anyone interested in this should practice in a non-urgent situation (adult supervision).

Smaller burning lenses concentrate the light more, stronger focus, but also take in less total light.  The cold winter days are interesting.  The sun is lower,the light going through more atmosphere, but the air is dryer so the heat at the focal point was good.  There were days of cloudy skies previously so the bark specimen may have lost any volatile oils.

We have seen artists using burning lens to make designs, similar to the wood burning electric pencils.  When done I will sign and date this "object".

In summary, would not want to depend on this if in the Jack London "To Start a Fire " situation but an interesting thought.  Hazards here are obvious, particularly the heat at the focal point of this relatively small lens.  Be sure any embers are cold.
We once saw a Fresnel lens over a foot in diameter set a standard 2x4 on fire in seconds.

Flame was at right edge,otherwise only charring

Foxes Return, one year later from first post

A quick cellphone video of the foxes,almost one year from the previous video.  It is breeding season which may account for the behavior.  The vixen will be digging several breeding earths under woodpiles and sheds.  The two today are probably a pair, with the female being darker and the male slightly (20%) heavier.

Cubs are born May to July, if this is the same pair as last year, must be getting at least 2-3 years old.  One type of behavior is dominance/ hierarchy, established early in life(by 8 weeks).  The subordinate approaches with body low, wriggling at the feet of the more dominant.  That was not at all visible with this pair suggesting more breeding behavior. Apparently they live in groups of up to ten equal vixens and dogs(male), but we have never seen more than two together.

Foxes will "surplus" kill, taking more animals than they can eat, making them more of a nuisance to farmers raising chickens.

All Five Senses

We saw a fox run across the yard, almost to the patio, before turning to head for a neighbor's garden.  A little later, as the sun was setting, we took a walk around the block and could smell a mild skunk-like odor.  Not seeing many skunks recently this was probably the fox spore, more intense on the foggy night.

The next night, a little later, almost dark there was a strange intermittent noise moving in circles in the field at the end of Cloverlea.  It was like a crow or a bluejay, but on the ground able to go quickly through the hedges.  There is a similar call on youtube under "fox,calls" used when they are playing or fighting.  We could not see the fox but suspect that was the culprit.

On the foraging trips Victoria emphasizes using all the senses.  Pausing to listen, eyes closed may help, can be interesting.  For example a thicket of woods may seem pristine but  if there are nearby traffic noise, pollution may be a concern.  Some plants and seed pods can have a rattling noise.

Touch can help with leave identification, waxy, rough, sandpaper, various qualities. Taste may be left for last, but smell is underutilized.  One to try is the spice bush at the corner of Cloverlea and Rolandvue.  The growth pattern is shown in the first picture and the stippled bark in the second.  It can be identified even in winter without the red berries. Break a twig to show the green undersurface and smell.  The ground at the base has creeping charlie,crush a leave and see if there is a fragrance. If there is a spice smell, probably ok to experiment with chewing on the twig.

Burning Bush ( Euonymous alatus)

Walking along Towson Run in November, the woods are dotted with bright red leaves, bushes about five feet tall.  The leaves are elliptical with pointed ends, opposite and on corky twigs.  My  guess is that this is the more invasive form of Burning Bush.  There is a cultivated example at the corner of Cloverlea and Rolandvue.  The wings on the twigs were not obvious but these disappear apparently as the bush ages. (alatus is "wing")

Popular as an ornamental, the sale of the plant is prohibited in areas of New England due to invasive tendencies, making the ID more likely.  The red-orange berries hang down below their dark capsule. Nothing in the foraging manuals about the berries, but no notes as to being poisonous either.  The plant was used in Chinese medicine. The leaves are dark green in the spring and summer, with small yellow flowers in the Spring.

Puffballs ,The Devil's Snuffbox (Lycoperdon sp)

We found these along the old rail line parallel to Towson Run, near the ruins of the old mill. The opening in the top indicates maturity.  Squeezing the sides of each mushroom elicits a smoke out the opening, actually fungus spores. Remember this from childhood?

V. sliced one in half to show the mottled interior color.  They are edible only when younger and all white.  They may not have the characteristic opening at that stage and have to be distinguished from the poisonous Amanita sp.  This is probably beyond the usual warnings since Amanita is deadly. Leave it to the experts.

Not surprisingly, given the maturity and the spores, these were absorbed or gone one week later,unless a more adventurous forager harvested them. This was the common season for fruiting puffballs, August to November.

For latin scholars, another common name for this mushroom is "wolf-fart".  "Lyco" is wolf in Greek and "perdon" is Greek for "to break wind."  Puffball is a term used for many large round mushrooms so again the scientific name is helpful.  There have been giant puffballs around, Calvatia sp , but also very transient.

Lion's Mane or a Fungus Among Us (Hericium)

This was on a dead tree along the driveway at the top of Cloverlea Road,larger than the usual specimen described on the internet. White when young it begins to yellow with age. It is said to be edible in the white stage with a consistency and taste of seafood. As it yellows becomes less palatable. (usual precautions)

The spikes on the front are typical, and apparently little else that appears the same as long as it is up off the ground.  There are five or ten other common names so this is another case where the latin in helpful.

You cut it off at the tree base, wash out the sawdust and bugs with a salt solution and saute it in butter and herbs. It may have some medicinal uses still being studied. They are cultivated on dead wood for commercial purposes.

Native, but a long way from home, Mahonia aquifolium, Oregon-grape or Oregon grape

We found this plant on the west side of Rolandvue going up the hill from Towson Run. It is native to the Pacific northwest, but widely planted with many cultivars.  The middle of the photo shows one pinnate leaf with 13 spiny,shiny leaflets.  Latin names are not always included but here aquifolium means holly-like leaf which is pretty descriptive.

It is about one meter tall, a typical height.  There should be yellow flowers in the spring followed by clusters of blue fruit.  Mahonia is not related to true grapes but the fruits appear somewhat similar. The berries can be used for jelly or fermented into wine but are said to be tart, mixed with other berries or with sugar. CCF says a very good wine. Parts of the plant can be used as dyes, possibly as medicinals. The size 14 foot in the picture is for scale,"I meant to do that".
The hyphen in Oregon-grape is apparently illegal, as far as taxonomy, but helps to underline the not true grape aspect.