Nature Bummin'
Stories by MCHT Land Steward Kirk Gentalen • Sign up for notifications of new Nature Bummin’ stories.
WB Fall Classics We Can All Count On
Nature has its ways of announcing transition. Winterberries and woolly bears for one are great indicators that fall has arrived. And as fall transitions to winter, MCHT nature bum Kirk Gentalen is excited to encounter the occasional frozen (hibernating) woolly bear and persistent winterberries holding onto their red—the only splash of color in a barren grey winter landscape—for months to come!
Roadkill lesson’s – Signs O’ the Times
Remarkable numbers of porcupine roadkill, giant piles of porcupine quills, and sure signs of disturbance all lead MCHT steward and Nature Bum Kirk Gentalen to believe something peculiar was going on. Because of his impressive tracking skills and with help from his handy game camera, Kirk was able to solve this mystery!
A whisker of shrewlets
When MCHT steward and nature bum Kirk Gentalen stumbled upon a whisker of shrews (as they say), he was in for a treat! These youngsters were far too busy feeding and playing to pay Kirk any attention.
May isn’t just for migration anymore!
May is a great time for migrating songbirds, making it Kirk’s favorite month of the year. But as we know Kirk loves to learn and he’s learned May can be filled with so much more.
Parasites are selfish, and so am I
For a nature bum like Kirk Gentalen, deciding what to write about can sometimes be challenging. Kirk sees cool things every day and there’s so much to choose from! In the latest Nature Bummin’ article, Kirks explores something that’s been hidden in plain sight!
Blood in the Tracks
The mother Fisher delivers a litter with one to six (average two – three) youngsters called “Kits”, born blind, helpless, and are partially covered with fine hair.
Winter Mid-Season Grade: So Far, So Good
This winter hasn’t been the coldest, or the snowiest, and it definitely hasn’t been the iciest, but even so, Kirk knows there’ve been no shortage of lessons to be learned!
Late Season Peeping
We know why Peepers peep in spring, it’s to mate. At that time, their common name makes perfect sense. But why do Spring Peepers peep in the fall? In this Nature Bummin’ column, MCHT steward Kirk Gentalen sets out to solve the mystery of the Fall Peeper.
Mornings Are For Otters
When is the best time to see an otter? Nature Bum, Kirk Gentalen gets this question a lot and has thought long and hard about when and where you’re most likely to find an otter. Read on to learn more!
The Curious Case of the Red Crossbill
Did you know it was the summer of the Red Crossbills? Well neither did most people, but MCHT Nature Bum Kirk Gentalen was well aware and eager to spread the word.
5 Blissful Days & a Big “Take Back!”
If you read Kirk’s Nature Bummin’ column “Favorite Tree – The Trail, The Blood, and The Fisher” you know his favorite tree is a Big-tooth Aspen. Well… at least it was. Since then, Kirk has learned quite a lot and it’s changed things for him… as far as favorite trees go.
I Miss Dendroica…
After Nature Bum Kirk Gentalen’s favorite genus of warbler becomes absorbed by another genus, he begins to ponder the idea of change and how “we” (the royal “we”) adapt to it.
Favorite Tree – The Trail, The Blood, and The Fisher
A story about Kirk’s new favorite tree and the lessons it taught him.
A Calendar of My Own
If you live in Maine (or New England for that matter) you’ve probably experienced the turbulent transition from winter to spring. MCHT steward Kirk Gentalen has a solution and it involves using a calendar of his own creation.
What’s Your Favorite (Porcu)sign?
Tracking wildlife isn’t always about finding wildlife. More often than not, it’s about what you can learn from the clues that have been left behind. But sometimes, you might just be pleasantly surprised!
Friendly Neighborhood Thissells
“Neighborhood.” When you think about your neighborhood, you might be thinking about the people that live down the street or across the road. For Nature Bum, Kirk Gentalen, the word “neighborhood” extends beyond people. But, every once in a while, Kirk finds himself enjoying time with his human-neighbors. And even considers them friends!