Dear All,
This fall I replaced my Klondike fireplace insert (in which one
could burn just about anything) and most heat went up the flu, with an
"air tight" stove and am and in still in the process of learning how
best to use it.
Most of the door is glass, transparent when new, but with dark
deposits on > half of the surface with use.
After a fire has stabilized, the flames seen through the clear
sections, are consistently of the same color which one would see in an
open camp fire.
But by moving one's head latterly a few inches, these same flames
become red to bright scarlet when viewed through a part of the window
darkened by smoke deposit. This suggests (to me) selective absorption of
light of wavelength shorter than red by this deposit.
Is there a better interpretation ?
Dave
The yellow-throated warbler has returned to the residence of Bruce Osli in Chester as of Oct. 5. It was present at that location now for about four or five years.
James R. Hirtle
LaHave
My recent trip to Ontario was rather interesting in that I discovered that one of the calls that a black squirrel makes is the same as a gray catbird. So, with ID I had to make sure that I was actually seeing a gray catbird before recording it. I was fooled a number of times into thinking a gray catbird was present, but then saw the black squirrel making the call.
James R. Hirtle
LaHave
Dear All;
I was working in the yard for much of today; splitting dry wood
sufficiently fine to use in my new airtight stove. Wood sufficiently
fine for my old Klondike fireplace insert must be split into 6 to 8 pieces.
But heating efficiency of the airtight is at least five times as
great as the Klondike and perhaps more.
I was soon stripped to the waist, sweating and trailing a cloud of
Yellow Jackets who were attempting to get warmer by landing on exposed
flesh. And working in a diffuse cloud of Yellow Jackets, flying around
and landing on face or back, is unpleasant So I dug out the old reliable
repellent; Deep Woods. And they were not affected by it; likely about 10
years old but smells right.
So apparently if a cold Yellow Jacket locates a good radiator it
takes more than an unpleasant smell to keep them away.
Dave
Dear All,
While salvaging some dead Pine for firewood in my Cambridge woods
yesterday I noticed that the leaves of a young Beech tree (~12' tall)
were in relatively good shape. Beech is new to these woods and likely
from a sandy ridge north of the meadow.
This is Cornwallis sandy loam; poor water holding capacity but near
the meadow which is fed by lateral flow from this upland so there is
ample water at depth.
In spite of recent dry weather we gathered a good feed of Cantharellus.
Dave
A group of surf scoters arrived back in the LaHave River today. Thought that I would report this in terms of migration. There had been none present in September.
James R. Hirtle
LaHave
Earlier in the year my wife had a hanging basket of flowers about three feet from the front door. A pair of Juncos decided to make it home and and produced 4 or 5 offspring who made our front yard their home and have been there daily. Must hang a similar basket next year.Peter Stow Hubbards
I stopped in Broad Cove this morning to take a picture of a porcupine for inaturens and was rewarded in finding a sora rail. It was in the pond beside the house signs of 7180 and 7182.
James R. Hirtle
LaHave
