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Bear Lair Communications

Independent writing, editing, photography and other communications services, focussed on travel.

The page features posts of my published travel articles, photos, blogposts and reviews. It also includes news and features from the travel industry, travel contests and interesting articles about the media.

07/10/2025

Today is “Don’t Step on a Bee Day.”
(Probably shouldn’t step on a bidet, either - although I’m not sure if there’s a day for that…😉)
I snapped a photo of this bee just outside our door on our walk and it was really lucky I didn’t step on it.
In addition to being careful about not stepping on a bee, the day is a reminder to help them in another ways:
* Grow a bee friendly garden
* Don’t use pesticides in your garden
* Support local apiaries
* Teach kids about the importance of bees
* Read books about bees

07/09/2025

Today is Durian Fruit Day.
It is a celebration of one of the world’s most intriguing fruits. One way to describe it is “unique flavor with a pungent smell.”
I’ve also heard it described with the phrase, “smells like Hell, tastes like Heaven.”
These photos were taken at a market in Chiang Mai, Thailand; my first encounter with this fruit was in Malaysia, though. Because of its odour, hotels in Malaysia have strict rules about people having it in their hotel rooms. There are even signs warning people if they’re found with durian in their room, they can be asked to leave the hotel.

07/08/2025

It’s Tree Tome Tuesday!
This is a very complex tale that fits the category of “Ecofiction noir.”
It won a Pulitzer Prize, but it’s not a book to read if you like a conventional, concrete ending.
The book is divided into four main “parts,” all the parts named for sections or parts of a tree.

07/04/2025

Ever wonder where the Thousand Islands dressing got its name?
Well you can read about it in my latest piece for - and find out all kinds of great ways to have adventures in that area of Ontario. Just click this link: https://explore-mag.com/thousands-of-islands-plenty-of-adventures/
Meanwhile, enjoy these photos I took while adventuring in the area.

islandsHelicopterRides

07/03/2025

Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart…
And you probably know how the rest of that little ditty goes…😉
Today is National Eat Your Beans Day. Because who doesn’t love a good feast of beans?
Canned pork and beans have been a staple of many camping trips; there are also some really amazing homemade baked bean recipes. I have at least three of them and they’re all yummy.
How do you like your beans?

07/02/2025

Today is National Wildland Firefighter Day.
This image is a photo I took of a turbo beaver plane in Ontario. This particular plane is still used to fight forest wildfires, although it’s not the only type of plane or the main airplane used; it is used in conjunction with other aircraft, though.

06/26/2025

Happy National Canoe Day!
The canoe is one of Canada‘s seven wonders. Do you canoe? If you don’t, chances are there’s a place close to you where you can rent one or even take paddling lessons.

06/25/2025

We are partway through Insect Week. It began Monday, June 23 and runs through until Sunday.
It’s a week dedicated to learning about to the fascinating world of insects.
The insect pictured here looks like a bee – but it’s really a bee-mimicking robber-fly, a member of the Laphria species. They actually prey on bees and wasps.
I snapped this photo during a visit to The Crooked Bush, an unusual grove of crooked aspen trees in the middle of the Saskatchewan prairies, near Radisson Lake, a few weeks ago. It was actually part of a birding tour hosted by Tourism Saskatchewan, but when you’re out in nature, there are all kinds of interesting things to photograph.

06/20/2025

Today marks the start of the three-day Rainforest World Music Festival, held in Malaysia at the Sarawak Cultural Village. This is the 28th year for this festival of music and culture. I was fortunate enough to attend it during a trip to Malaysia several years ago. I heard a wide range of music played throughout the festival; I remember listening to an acappella band from Africa, a bluegrass band from Oregon, and a skiffle band from the UK, and saw many local musicians and dancers perform as well. One of the cofounders of this festival was a Canadian musician, Randy Raine-Reusch.

06/19/2025

Today is World Sauntering Day.
It’s always nice to get out into the woods and forests or along some trail…but there’s no need to rush the experience. Instead of marching or hiking, heed the words of Henry David Thoreau. You might be surprised at what you see when you slow down a bit.

06/18/2025

Today is National Go Fishing Day.
Time to sneak off from work or, if you prefer, spend your evening with a fishing rod at a local lake, pond, or river. (Be sure you have a licence!)

06/17/2025

Today is World Croc Day!
One of nature’s most misunderstood - and feared - creatures, crocodiles have ruled rivers and swamps for millions of years, yet many people see them only as threats. In reality, they play a key role in keeping ecosystems balanced.
this is the only photo I have of a wild crocodile, this one is a saltwater crocodile - sometimes known as salties - the largest crocs in the world. I took this from a boat floating down the Kinabatangan River in Borneo.

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