I’m sometimes asked by Museum Guests what type of fish, if any, are in the Wetlands. The stock answer is “As far I can tell there are Gambusia (Mosquito Fish) and some kind of shiner down there, I plan to find out for sure this winter.” A floating dead fish caught my attention on October [...] Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for October, 2008
Another Shrew
October 31st, 2008On October 22, I found a Shorttail Shrew along the path on the north side of the Wetlands near the Lemur House. The shrew had expired. There were no visible signs of why it had expired. Curiously, another was found in the same condition back in June, just a few yards up the path (see, [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Blue Jays Hoard, Butter-Butts Swarm
October 31st, 2008Mallards are back in the Wetlands. Three Mutt Ducks (Mallard x Domestic) and eight or so “normal” Mallards have been feeding and resting in the quiet water and under the Willow Trees. Canada Geese are paying regular visits to the Wetlands. For nearly a week after the passage of the cold front that moved through [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Reptiles and Amphids Wane
October 31st, 2008There are still turtles to be seen basking on the rocks and logs of the Wetlands. Likewise, Bullfrogs may still be seen in the Wetlands, but I wouldn’t count on seeing them for much longer. However, their tadpoles are becoming more obvious as they both grow larger and the algae dies back in the water [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Autumn Meadowhawk
October 31st, 2008Right on cue, Autumn Meadowhawks have appeared on the scene (see Autumn Meadowhawks, Explore the Wild Journal, September 16-30, 2008). The first one that caught my eye was on October 19 following the rains brought in by a passing cold front. These rather small dragonflies have a red abdomen and yellowish or straw-colored legs (they [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Yellows, Reds, and Browns
October 31st, 2008The scene is changing rapidly. Although we still have some time to go, the leaves of the various deciduous trees are turning their respective yellows, reds, browns and all hues in between. The Willows are nearly devoid of leaves. What leaves that remain on the Sycamores and Ashes are brown. The Redbuds are yellow-green. The [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Sapsuckers and Other Migrants
October 15th, 2008Northern Flickers continue to be observed as they filter through the area. The first-of-the-season Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was seen on October 11 during the Wild About Animals Event. Don’t look for a bright yellow belly on these guys, most of them are rather dingy looking. The white vertical line on the wing (when the bird is [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Active Snakes and Frogs
October 15th, 2008The Wetland’s Northern Water Snakes were out and about on October 4th & 5th with at least four seen basking or hunting. Green Treefrogs are still being seen by many Museum Guests along the north side of the Wetlands. Cricket Frogs can sometimes be seen hopping along the ground throughout the Explore the Wild/Catch the [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Locust Borer and Late Butterflies
October 15th, 2008Although mentioned in the last installment of the Explore the Wild Journal, a picture of a Two-lined Spittlebug was not displayed. More spittlebugs have been showing up and I was able to get a nice shot of one (image at right). There was a Locust Borer on the Goldenrod alongside the Wetlands (photo at left). [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Fall Takes Over
October 15th, 2008The Wetlands is changing rapidly. The vista with its brilliant autumn light bouncing off the colorful leaves and reflecting in the water is perhaps at its best in the fall. It’s worth a visit just for the view, and there’s still more to come! Besides the still blooming Goldenrod, Groundsel Tree (a shrub) and Heath [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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