Outdoors

The brilliant red stands out like a blast against the dull brown and blacks of old wet leaves on the forest floor in early spring, says columnist

While it is an anomaly to see a chipmunk in the winter, they do not hibernate, often due to an 'urge to merge with a female,' says columnist

'In the wild, purple finches are masters at seed extraction from cones or from within fleshy fruits,' says outdoors columnist

Beware false prophets when it comes to the trees and wildlife of the forest and its life cycle, warns columnist

Columnist urges people to keep their eyes open, especially around the bird feeders that have voles and squirrels visiting, as you may well observe a unique species

'There have been many other winters of similar situation, winters that didn’t see humans instantly, incessantly, telling the world how things look in their yard,' says columnist

Mild spell is having an effect on the natural denizens of the area, as most of the critters of the wild find their entire life dictated by the whims of weather patterns

Columnist says the 'paper-thin and beautiful texture and colour of a beech tree leaf' in the middle of winter is a slow, but sure step in evolution

'In this world of high-tech gadgetry, within these ages of discovery, it is the simple swirl of frost that takes my spirit onwards,' says columnist

Now common daily visitor to local feeders could win award for cutest bird, says outdoors columnist