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Veiled Polypore
This spring, I’ve been introducing you to some of PEI’s early-season fungi. Today’s example hits the trifecta: it’s common, easy to...
katemacquarrie22
5 days ago2 min read
10 views


Snakes
Finding snakes is one of my favourite springtime activities. Cooler weather means they spend more time sunning themselves in the open,...
katemacquarrie22
May 253 min read
26 views


Bloodroot
There are several plants not yet known to grow wild on PEI that I suspect are here somewhere. Although those in the photo have been...
katemacquarrie22
May 213 min read
51 views


Amber Jelly Roll
This spring, I’m exploring some of PEI’s early-fruiting fungi, and today’s example sounds more like a pastry than a mushroom. Meet Amber...
katemacquarrie22
May 183 min read
39 views


Scarlet Elf Cups
The word ‘mushroom’ often conjures up an image of a white or brown cap-and-stem fungus, but mushrooms come in a variety of shapes, sizes,...
katemacquarrie22
May 113 min read
105 views


Sedum
On PEI, spring foraging offers up lots of leafy greens and tasty roots, but there are crunchy succulents on the menu, too. Today’s...
katemacquarrie22
May 73 min read
65 views


Trout Lily
Some of PEI’s rarest and most interesting plants are a bit like your favourite seasonal foods: you can only find them for a short time...
katemacquarrie22
Apr 304 min read
43 views


Spruce Bark Beetle
Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI! Today’s topic comes from my own...
katemacquarrie22
Apr 233 min read
76 views


Morel vs. "False Morel"
When I think ‘spring mushrooms’, Morels and False Morels are the first that come to mind. We have both here on PEI and – despite the...
katemacquarrie22
Apr 203 min read
323 views


The Story of PEI Part 12: 20th Century Land Use Change
Over the winter, we’ve explored the story of PEI starting with formation of its bedrock 300 million years ago, through the last ice age,...
katemacquarrie22
Apr 163 min read
34 views


Red Tree Brain Fungus
Fall may be peak mushroom season on PEI, but fungi can be found at all times of year. One that I’m seeing a lot right now is the...
katemacquarrie22
Apr 62 min read
70 views


The Story of PEI Part 9: Land Clearing
In the last few posts, we’ve looked at aspects of PEI’s forests and wildlife hundreds of years ago, before European settlement. In each...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 263 min read
43 views


Ruffed Grouse Tracks
There are two types of tracks I am seeing everywhere on PEI this year: Snowshoe Hare (featured March 3), and the topic of today’s post:...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 163 min read
34 views


The Story of PEI Part 8: Plagues of Mice
Last week, we looked at some of the large mammals that once roamed PEI, including Black Bears, Lynx, Walrus, and Caribou. You may think...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 123 min read
134 views


Meadow Vole (aka Field Mouse) Tracks
If it looks like a Mouse and squeaks like a Mouse it. . . might be a Vole! This week, we explore Vole tracks and sign, and look at Voles’...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 93 min read
43 views


The Story of PEI Part 7: Early Wildlife
Last week, we explored the PEI landscape of three centuries ago, around the time Europeans arrived. Those pre-settlement forests and...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 53 min read
31 views


Variations on Hare Tracks
No matter where I go on PEI this winter – town or country – the most common tracks I see are from Snowshoe Hare. It’s been like this for...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 23 min read
32 views


The Story of PEI Part 6: Early Forests
This winter we’ve been looking at PEI’s natural history – the story our landscape tells about itself. So far, we’ve read chapters written...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 263 min read
42 views


Recognizing Red Squirrel Tracks
This winter’s frequent bouts of fresh snowfall have made for some ideal tracking conditions. While Red Squirrels are very common, it’s...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 232 min read
28 views


New Book Coming Soon!
My new book, Wild Foods of Prince Edward Island is coming out this spring and now available for pre-order. Published by The Acorn Press,...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 221 min read
188 views
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