Feralbynaturevt

Feralbynaturevt Foraging, photography, and feral gifts. Based in Brookline, Vermont

I started yet another foraging experiment last week. I grabbed some green eastern white pine cones out from the forest f...
08/07/2026

I started yet another foraging experiment last week. I grabbed some green eastern white pine cones out from the forest floor to make mugolio! Mugolio is a traditional Italian pine cone syrup made by macerating and fermenting young, green, unopened pine cones in sugar. This will macerate until the end of August and then I will post a video on the end result and how this feral forest syrup tastes!

If you're wondering why I don't normally post photos of bald eagles face-on, this photo should explain why. It takes a m...
08/06/2026

If you're wondering why I don't normally post photos of bald eagles face-on, this photo should explain why. It takes a majestic raptor and makes them look like goof balls and takes away their dignity. I have too much respect for them to post more than one photo like this, but now you know why...

I took this photo from my kayak near the Retreat Meadows last week. This magnificent bird watched me from this tree for more than a half hour while I foraged linden tree nutlets from my kayak. It was a perfect afternoon and I couldn't be more grateful.

This is the collage I made from the spotted cort mushrooms (the purple ones) I found yesterday. This is the 4th mushroom...
08/05/2026

This is the collage I made from the spotted cort mushrooms (the purple ones) I found yesterday. This is the 4th mushroom collage I made (I have a 5th one coming out just for the holidays!) I didn't see enough of them last year because it was so dry, but I have wanted to do this for the last 2 years! This photo will be available as a notecard in about 2 weeks. You can grab it in person at one of the events I attend or order it from my Etsy shop when it's ready!

08/05/2026

Lotus leaves are famous for being superhydrophobic, which means they repel water extremely well. Tiny microscopic bumps on the leaf, combined with a waxy coating, cause water to bead up and roll away instead of soaking in. As the droplets roll, they pick up dirt and dust, leaving the leaf clean—a phenomenon known as the lotus effect.

You probably didn’t know that lotus inspired many of the products you use every day, from waterproof clothing to roof tiles. Nature solved this engineering challenge long before we did.

08/04/2026

I had a wonderful day in the forest! Stay tuned for a new mushroom photo collage coming tomorrow!

The osprey chicks are starting to flap their wings and will fledge before you know it! I explain their migration every y...
08/04/2026

The osprey chicks are starting to flap their wings and will fledge before you know it! I explain their migration every year because it will never cease to amaze me! Mama is tired and she will migrate south first...alone. Dad will hang back, make sure the chicks are practicing their fishing skills, and then he will migrate south...alone. Some time in September the chicks will migrate south for the 1st time ...alone. Somehow they know when to leave and where they are flying to. Osprey chicks born in Vermont migrate south to spend the winter in Central America and northern South America. They will stay there for 3 years before coming back up here to nest. It will always be fascinating to me.

Happy National Grab Some Nuts Day!Sometimes part of foraging is taking notes of where you find things before they are ri...
08/03/2026

Happy National Grab Some Nuts Day!

Sometimes part of foraging is taking notes of where you find things before they are ripe. I found both of these hickory nuts while kayaking. The ones on the right are bitternut hickory nuts and while there are ways to make them sort of tasty, they are very bitter (hence the name - even squirrels don't like them!).

The ones on the right, however, are shellbark hickory nuts and can be very tasty! Neither are ripe but they will be soon! I have made a mental note to go back and forage some when they are brown and ready for picking! I can't wait!

Address

Newfane, VT

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Feralbynaturevt posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Feralbynaturevt:

Shortcuts

Share

Category