Nature Moncton Nature News: October 18 2023

Nature Moncton Nature News

October 18, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier at nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

**A special thank you to Alyre Chiasson for his presentation to Nature Moncton on Tuesday evening.

Alyre shared some amazing information on the mechanisms of ice freezing and the equally amazing techniques fish have developed to deal with it. Alyre also explained how the chemicals fish produce are investigated for human uses. He also showed how the DNA adaptations fish have evolved are being researched, again for possible human use.

A shout out as well to Fred Richards for the efforts he is making to fine-tune Zoom use so that Nature Moncton presentations can be available to all.

A few photos of Tuesday night's gathering are attached today.

**John Inman photographed a large, branched Coral Mushroom, as well as 2 photos of Scaly Vase Chanterelle Mushrooms which were approximately 8 inches tall.

Shannon Inman photographed a cluster of Honey Mushrooms fruiting on the dead balsam fir stump.

(Editor’s note: as John pointed out, the Scaly Vase Chanterelle can grow quite large. This is not a toxic mushroom but has an unpleasant sour flavour.

The Honey Mushrooms Shannon photographed are in their prime and will get larger. This is a favourite edible mushroom for many people, but suggestions are that it be well cooked.

John also got an excellent photo of a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk grabbing a meal in their Harvey yard.

**Ron Arsenault shares an interesting comment after noting Shannon Inman’s Bullfrog photo in yesterday’s edition.

Ron comments, “WOW! A Bullfrog on October 16th!!! Contrast this with the August 24, 1950, date given as the latest ever in John Gilhen's 1984 book ‘Amphibians and Reptiles of Nova Scotia’ - a dramatic indicator of how the climate has warmed in the intervening years.”

**Aldo Dorio again photographed Black-Bellied Plovers still at Hay Island and now showing their nonbreeding basic plumage.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nature Moncton