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Nature Bummin'

Stories by MCHT Land Steward Kirk Gentalen • Sign up for notifications of new Nature Bummin’ stories.

Cute

Blood in the Tracks

The mother Fisher delivers a litter with one to six (average two – three) youngsters called “Kits”, born blind, helpless, and are partially covered with fine hair.

Clarkice

Winter Mid-Season Grade: So Far, So Good

This winter hasn’t been the coldest, or the snowiest, and it definitely hasn’t been the iciest, but even so, Kirk knows there’ve been no shortage of lessons to be learned!

Peeper

Late Season Peeping

We know why Peepers peep in spring, it’s to mate. At that time, their common name makes perfect sense. But why do Spring Peepers peep in the fall? In this Nature Bummin’ column, MCHT steward Kirk Gentalen sets out to solve the mystery of the Fall Peeper.

Otter

Mornings Are For Otters

When is the best time to see an otter? Nature Bum, Kirk Gentalen gets this question a lot and has thought long and hard about when and where you’re most likely to find an otter. Read on to learn more!

Bird

The Curious Case of the Red Crossbill

Did you know it was the summer of the Red Crossbills? Well neither did most people, but MCHT Nature Bum Kirk Gentalen was well aware and eager to spread the word.

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5 Blissful Days & a Big “Take Back!”

If you read Kirk’s Nature Bummin’ column “Favorite Tree – The Trail, The Blood, and The Fisher” you know his favorite tree is a Big-tooth Aspen. Well… at least it was. Since then, Kirk has learned quite a lot and it’s changed things for him… as far as favorite trees go.

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I Miss Dendroica…

After Nature Bum Kirk Gentalen’s favorite genus of warbler becomes absorbed by another genus, he begins to ponder the idea of change and how “we” (the royal “we”) adapt to it.

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Favorite Tree – The Trail, The Blood, and The Fisher

A story about Kirk’s new favorite tree and the lessons it taught him.

Spotted Salamander

A Calendar of My Own

If you live in Maine (or New England for that matter) you’ve probably experienced the turbulent transition from winter to spring. MCHT steward Kirk Gentalen has a solution and it involves using a calendar of his own creation.

Porcusign5 Trail Leading To Rocky Den

What’s Your Favorite (Porcu)sign?

Tracking wildlife isn’t always about finding wildlife. More often than not, it’s about what you can learn from the clues that have been left behind. But sometimes, you might just be pleasantly surprised!

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Friendly Neighborhood Thissells

“Neighborhood.” When you think about your neighborhood, you might be thinking about the people that live down the street or across the road. For Nature Bum, Kirk Gentalen, the word “neighborhood” extends beyond people. But, every once in a while, Kirk finds himself enjoying time with his human-neighbors. And even considers them friends!

Otter Tracks With Fleas

You Had Me at Snow Fleas…

A story about love… Kirk’s love for tracking and snow fleas specifically.

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Ice Is My Happy Place

Most ice skaters don’t quite understand why Kirk Gentalen spends so much time on the ice and so little in ice skates. But to Kirk, the magic of a frozen marsh goes beyond ice skating. The magic lies in the stories a frozen world can tell and the wildlife that lives in it!

Beaver Lodge With Dirty Snow

Go with the Flow

A celebration of the first snow and the story of how Kirky (yep, he called himself Kirky) got his groove back.

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Here Comes the Fall

Ever seen a cup mushroom forcibly remove spores? Want to? Check out this column all about mushrooms, written by MCHT land steward Kirk Gentalen.

Strawberries And Cream (2)

Long in the Tooth

The summer of 2021 was all about mushrooms, of all varieties. MCHT land steward Kirk Gentalen focuses in on the extraordinary Hydnaceae mushrooms, also known as “toothed” mushrooms. Yeah, you’ll want to read more.