October 1st

Death of an old friend. I first met this old Beech tree about twenty years ago, between Moosehorn Brook and Rattlesnake Hill. I don't recall the first time exactly, but over time I began to recognize him. Eventually he became familiar, an acquaintance granting comfort in the forest. Over the past few years I began to notice that he was declining in health, first the foliage becoming sparse, then the bark erupting in dark openings. Branches first, and then a limb fell. Today he is dead, succumbing to the Beech bark nectria that was inadvertently introduced into our forest.

October 2nd

Puffball mushrooms growing on a log. Puffballs, if the flesh is firm and white, are delicious edibles. Cook them before eating (all wild mushrooms should be cooked). They are excellent sliced and fried in olive oil, served with scrambled eggs or atop a homemade pizza.

October 4th

A Porcupine feeding in Oak trees.

October 5th

A dried up vernal pool. To be classified as vernal, a pool needs to dry out yearly or often enough to prevent the survival of fish which would eat the amphibian eggs in the spring and summer.

October 6th

A late-flying Fritillary.

October 7th

Bigtooth Poplar leaf and bark. We have three Poplars in the Quabbin area - Bigtooth Poplar and Quaking Aspen in the upland forests, and Cottonwood along the banks of larger streams and rivers like the Millers River.

October 8th

Debris from Beavers feeding on White Pine. After cutting the saplings, they often take them to feed on the bark and cambium layer in the shallow water, where they feel safer than on dry land. Most of the debris will then be taken to add to the lodge or dam, but not necessarily during the first night.

October 9th

A large Quabbin Moose left this track.

October 10th

Cranberry grows wild along the shores of the Quabbin.

October 11th

Although the activity has slowed down considerably, Hornets are still alive in their nests.

October 12th

A burl, or tumor, growing on a Red Maple.

October 22nd

These acorns were freshly opened by a Gray Squirrel.

These are the same acorns, one month later. It is a good idea to set up various track and sign "labs" to learn how things age, and watch them on a daily basis if you can.