Nature Club News for May 2024

by John Dickson

I asked the internet – “Is there a Turtle Month?” and learned that ‘Certainly! Turtle Month from Earth Day April 22 to World Turtle Day on May 23 is dedicated to raising awareness about the world’s turtles and tortoises.’

Well, it just so happens that Owen Sound Field Naturalists (OSFN) is presenting a Turtle Talk entitled The Beautiful World of Turtles, with Jenna McGuire beginning at 7pm Thursday May 16, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Doors open by 6:30pm 

An Ecologist, a Scientific Illustrator and a favourite OSFN presenter and hike leader, Jenna McGuire invites us all to explore the life histories of our local turtles in-depth. We will travel through turtle evolution, biology and ecology through photos, illustrations, models and more. Most importantly we will review the many ways we can help support these incredible, ancient beings! 

Everyone is welcome and Admission is free or by donation. 

OSFN also plans to offer this as an online webinar, via Zoom. To request a Zoom Link, please send an email, in advance, to  web@osfn.ca  with Turtles in the subject line.

NeighbourWoods North (NWN) has some ongoing tree care work scheduled at the Hospital grounds in Owen Sound on the remaining two Saturday mornings in May, (the 18th and 25th) from 9:30 to 11am.  Plan to meet by the NWN shed past the emergency entrance and be sure to wear gloves and bring rakes, shovels, buckets, etc.

They also recently assisted the City in planting new trees at the Owen Sound Kiwanis Soccer Complex. 

I recall skiing the perimeter there on the skimpy snow this past winter, and noticing a crew near the central buildings, cutting and chipping the many White Ash trees that had been killed through the infestation of Emerald Ash Borers there.

Over the next few months I often encountered the same crew around the City, clearing other sites of the dead trees, especially where safety would be a concern if the trees were left standing much longer. Many thanks to those crews for doing this important work, and for the NWN volunteers for planting new trees there at the Soccer Complex! 

I have also been seeing quite a few Ash trees that have lost upper limbs, or completely fallen over along fence lines, etc.  You may visit NWN here  https://www.neighbourwoodsnorth.ca/  or on facebook.

For me, along with enjoying migrating birds and butterflies, pretty tree blossoms, wildflowers and the scent of lilacs, one of the loveliest sights of Springtime is of new, still translucent tree leaves of green (or red) illuminated by the bright, low-angled beams of sunrise or sunset. 

A bonus this year has been the amazing Northern Lights seen here on May 10. It reminded me that John Hlynialuk’s Aurora Alert presentation back in March suggested that we just might be in for quite a few special sightings.  

John says” The recent event is due to a massive sunspot complex on the Sun … Our atmosphere is still taking “hits” from solar flares which keep erupting and we have another CME impact due May 13 or so…

We are at the peak of the current 11-yr sunspot cycle and expect the activity to continue for many months yet, perhaps even a year or more.”

The Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation has an important fundraising campaign currently underway, with a silent auction until May 23, and an Earth Film Festival at the Roxy on May 16, featuring two special films: “The Water Walker”, which will captivate audiences with the inspiring journey of Autumn Peltier, International Indigenous Rights & Water Activist; “Becoming Tom Thomson” will transport viewers back in time, exploring the life and legacy of Canadian wilderness painter Tom Thomson, presented by Canadian Actor, Director, and Producer, Steve Belford.

Films start at 7:00 pm. The lobby will be open at 6:00 pm for a social time, displays, and exciting door prizes.

Before the evening film presentations there will be a Dinner Fundraiser hosted by chef Zach Keeshig, at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market, from 5pm – 6:30pm. Indulge in a creatively cultivated 3-course menu featuring progressive Indigenous Cuisine with local, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. This culinary journey will be held at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market 

Tickets for the film presentations are $30 each, or you can enjoy both the dinner and film presentations for $150.

Please note that tickets for the Dinner + Films package are only available at the box office. To get yours, please call 519-371-2833 or visit    www.roxytheatre.ca

I would like to draw your attention to the Guest Gallery at the Owen Sound Artists’ Co-op, and one of the three featured artists during this month of May, Frank deMatteis.

Several of his evocative works are on the west wall of the Guest Gallery,  just a few steps from the main entranceway. I first met Frank back in the 90s when he joined our noon running group one day, and we chatted as we headed out towards Harrison Park from the Y. 

I quickly discovered that he was an artist, and that bird paintings were an important component of his work. So, I said to him that I had always been a fan of J. Fenwick Lansdowne, and Frank immediately replied “Oh, he was  my idol!” 

Fast forward t to 2017,  when Frank accepted my invitation to lead a Nature sketching  and learning segment for the Young Naturalists Club (YNs), sharing his intimate knowledge. For instance, the students learned from Frank about the funneling effect of a Nightingales’ stiff bristles (not feathers) helping to guide flying insects to its open mouth, while this aerial insectivore wings its way around in the dark of night. 

About a year ago I was in the lobby at the Hospital in Owen Sound and an amazing piece of art caught my eye. Sure enough, it was by Frank de Matteis, and featured an  exquiste underwater view of a Common Loon. So, I encourage you to make your way to the Artists Co-op soon, before the  end of May, allowing time for return visits too, while these and many other works are on display there.

You can also learn more about Frank deMatteis from his website  at https://www.frankdematteisart.com/, as well as his profile there https://www.frankdematteisart.com/artist-profile and his well-deserved accolades here:  https://www.frankdematteisart.com/critical-acclaim    In addition you can find references to his painting at the Hospital and his workshop with the Young Naturalists at this link there – https://www.frankdematteisart.com/community

One of several paintings by Frank deMatteis at the Owen Sound Artists’ Co-op until the end of May