Situational Awareness Adventures

person riding bike on trail through with orange tree on side of trail

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

October, the golden month, has almost arrived. It’s also the month we should not forget the need for situational awareness. A few years ago I failed miserably at practicing situational awareness, and things could have ended badly for me. Keep reading for that informative misadventure. I’ll also share a few words on poison sumac, Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, and weather awareness.

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The Dawn of Autumn in Oakland County

Eastern gray squirrel

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

Every autumn we sense the excitement of the beginning of a new season. Autumn is the time for nature-embracing explorations into the natural world as nights cool, fantastic forest fungi appear, and mosquito-free trails beckon. I know the time of autumn draws near as energized Eastern gray squirrels gather acorns felled by strong winds. That time is now.

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Jerusalem Artichokes: Not Just for Bees!

Bee and Jerusalem artichoke blossom

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

Honey bees know a good thing when they see one. They found the ten-foot-tall object of my quest first — a cluster of brilliant, yellow, eye-catching flowers that bloomed during the first week of October. The bees were harvesting the bright orange pollen of Jerusalem artichokes for their near final foraging flights of the season. That was almost two weeks ago. I returned a few days ago for the tubers.

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