Into the Woods with Curio: Hand-Taming Chickadees

Every winter I try to hand-tame the chickadees that are visiting the bird feeders in our backyard. This involves using shelled peanuts and shelled sunflowers as treats, and offering them on my bare hand when I go out to fill the feeders. I wait with my hand outstretched to see if any of the chickadees, (or any other bird species) are hungry enough to overcome their fear and land on my hand to take some seeds or a peanut.

I have had mixed results over the years. Some winters the birds don’t hesitate to come to me for some food. One winter I had a red-breasted nuthatch come to me right away when I went outside. I believe it must have been hand-tamed by someone else to be so bold.

This winter I have a few chickadees coming to my had every day, though they are a little cautious, and not all of their family group is willing. But it is rewarding to hear the sound of their wings close-up as they move from branch to branch, calling back and forth. Then they hop onto my finger or thumb, (they don’t seem to weigh anything) grab a seed, or sometimes two or three, and dart away to enjoy it.

Last winter I met with very limited success, despite numerous efforts. Whenever I was attempting to lure one of the resident chickadees to my hand one of those in the group would sound a scolding call, and all of the others would then refuse to come to my hand. It didn’t matter how long I stayed there, trying to keep perfectly still. It was very frustrating, but I had to give up, as it wasn’t changing. It may be this particular bird was overly cautious, or maybe it previously had a bad experience with another person.

It’s all a matter of trust, and the analogy is obvious. I have learned, and am still learning to trust God for His loving care. I have no reason not to, as His love is amazing – giving His Son to die for my sins so I could be forgiven and have everlasting life! Yet I still hesitate every day to continue to trust Him for all my needs, despite His everlasting faithfulness.

If He takes care of the birds He will surely take care of my needs…

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrew 13:8

Hand feeding wild birds at your bird feeder is a fun activity to try with your family this winter.

You’ll need a bird feeder located outside in your yard, and filled with wild bird seed. Black sunflower seeds work well. If the feeder is new to your yard, it may take a few days for the neighbourhood birds to find it and get used to it

The secret of success with hand feeding wild birds is to have the birds come to you for food rather than the feeder. Empty the feeder the night before of all but a few seeds. Then watch in the morning for feathered visitors coming for breakfast.

Dress warmly when you go outside to try hand-feeding them, and have some shelled sunflower seeds or shelled peanuts as treats. Only one or two people should try this at any one time.

Stand close to the feeder, hand outstretched and full of tempting treats. Be patient. Soon the birds, overcome with hunger, will give in. A soft rustling sound of wings, the light grip on your fingers – success! You will have fed a wild bird.

Try to keep still and quiet, letting the birds come for a few more seeds before going in to let others try, or, once finished, filling the feeder with food.

Monk's Musings: The Promised Rock

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” ISAIAH 28:16

A few weeks ago, I got to see one of my grandchildren be the first to test the Snow Tube Run, bravely speeding down the bumpy hill, where 3 fallen trees had recently been cleared by “Mr. Tok”. Then the rest of us followed the path that had been tested before us. Different things may cause panic to different people, and we all have hidden fears that strike panic to our hearts. God promised his prophet that He would send a Firm Cornerstone, the Rock of Ages, the Immovable Foundation. This became a reality when Jesus was born seven centuries later. And we are also promised that if we place our trust in Him, our life will stand firm, so that even our greatest fears need not dismay or cause us to panic.

Perhaps you don’t fear skiing and sledding, maybe your fears are quite different. The truth is we are all weak, puny human beings, and we need Jesus as our Sure Foundation. For this life and for eternity. May we each have faith in Him. May we always trust His Word and obey Him with all our hearts, and so be counted among those who Jesus counts as “wise men” and “wise women”, “building our house on the Rock”.

Thank God for this beautiful Campsite that He has allowed us to enjoy in the past, and we are all invited to return to this year, to marvel at the beauty of His Creation, and to have our hearts warmed to loving Him

With all our love and best wishes,

Andrew “Monk” & Marianne “Tia” Nunn

Into the Woods with Curio: Marcescence

The Beacon woods look very different in the middle of winter, compared to when most people experience them during the green fullness of summer. The leaves are gone now, as are most of the wildlife, (including some of those pesky insects) and everything is more open and …bare.

With some exceptions. As you look around the camp, you’ll notice some young trees in the woods with most of their leaves, while up on the ridges across the lake there are many mature trees still covered in leaves. The leaves aren’t green anymore, being more of a coppery brown, and withered. So why are the leaves still on these trees?

Leaves that remain on trees into the winter are referred to as marcescent, (pronounced mahr-ses-uhnt) leaves, meaning something like ‘holding on’. Another term used is ‘ever-ciduous’.

The deciduous tree species that hold on to their leaves in Muskoka are the oak trees, (three species -- red, white and bur oak) and the American beech. All of these trees are also seen at Beacon.

These are Carolinian trees, and more at home in the sunny south, such as southern Ontario and down into the US, rather than the Canadian Shield. Here they are at the northern edge of their range, and are not as suited to withstand the longer, harsher winter conditions that are the norm here in Muskoka. This helps explain, in part, why they hold onto their leaves.

According to the book ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’ one reason trees hold onto their leaves into the wintertime is to help the trees stay a little warmer, and not dry out in the harsh winter winds.

Other research suggests that marcescent leaves may be a way of the tree protecting next spring’s buds and their twigs from being eaten by wildlife, such as deer and moose. It is also thought that deer and moose won’t eat dry leaves because it is too noisy and may attract predators!

Still another reason that the trees wait until spring to drop their leaves may be so they can add some nutrients into the soil for themselves at a time when it is most needed.

The trees may also use the dead leaves to catch and keep some snow over the winter. When it melts in the springtime the captured snow may provide more water for the tree.

Interesting possibilities, and amazing examples of how God has equipped these trees to adapt to an unfriendly winter environment in order to survive. He provides shelter, food and even water, and protects them from enemies to get them through a tough season.

God does the same for us. He may not make the tough times go away or disappear, but He provides for us so we can get through them, protecting us and empowering us to overcome, by His grace.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Oak leaves displaying marcescence

Monk's Musings: A Strange New Year Begins

As we've been settling into The Wheelhouse, our new Canadian home since our return from Colombia, we collected some of our old pictures and framed sayings, and have been placing them in strategic places on the walls. It makes us feel more at home. One of the pictures is a Spanish rendering of Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

I don't know how your New Year is beginning. For us it included coming down with Covid19, staying in bed, and slowly recovering. At this point, I can't smell or taste anything. I hope that will return. There are other things I hope for, and others that I fear. And as this strange new year rolls on, God whispers to us: "don't be afraid, I am with you..."

One of our grandchildren had their birthday today, and as she looks to the uncertain future, the Lord comes alongside and tells us all: "be strong and courageous, do not be discouraged, the Lord will be with you." This is the promise HE makes us. This is HIS promise for Beacon Bible Camp. Let us trust HIM, and live one day at a time. Let us grow to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind, and seek to love our neighbour as ourselves.

With all our love and best wishes from Monk & Tia, from beautiful snow covered Beacon Bible Camp.

Joshua 1:9 in Spanish

Happy Trails

Being on the move and being out in nature have long been recognized as valuable for good mental health. As Christians, we recognize that there is also a spiritual health layer to this, since recognizing our natural surroundings as the work of a loving Creator who wants us to know Him gives significance to all we see.

Beacon’s property boasts many beautiful trails of a variety of lengths and destinations which give great opportunities to be on the move and completely surrounded by creation. Maybe you’ve been on these trails, maybe you haven’t - but either way, here are some descriptions to get you excited for where your feet can take you during your next Beacon visit!

Sugar Shack Trail: The Sugar Shack Trail is a big loop that can be accessed near the railroad crossing on the Beacon road. My favourite place to start on the Sugar Shack Trail Loop is by going up and across the Ridge. From there, the trail cuts through deep maple-dominated forest. After passing by the Sugar Shack, the trail returns to its origin by following the railroad tracks. Moose tracks have been sighted along this trail in recent years.

Points of interest: Sugar Shack outbuildings, fern-filled forest floor sections, mature forest, access to the Ridge

The Inner Trails: This refers to a set of intersecting trail loops that run between the Maintenance Shed and the soccer field and the top of the Tube Hill. Because of their proximity to main camp and their short length, these trails are camp’s most accessible trail options.

Points of interest: Waterfall and stream, small bridges, elevation change, access to the soccer field

The Point Trail: Starting from the top of the tube hill, the Point Trail run all the way to a campsite on the other side of Beacon Lake. There are many erratic boulders, views of bodies of water, and interesting types of trees and plant life to make every section of this hike interesting. Most of the hike takes place on a ridge, but when approaching the Point, there is a ladder section for descending down the steep slope.

Points of interest: view of Lost Lake, view of Beacon Lake, erratics, campsite

Lost Lake Trails: Branching off of the Point Trail, there is a path leading towards Lost Lake. This trail soon splits to give hikers the option of circling around to reach the Sunset Point campsite or continuing forward to reach Lost Plateau campsite. Twin Pines campsite is accessible by canoe from the Lost Plateau campsite.

Points of interest: Campsites, small dock, view of Lost Lake