Fall Posts

Are the wolves out today? by , Ranger

November 28th, 2011

“Are the wolves out today?” I’m asked that question on a daily basis by visitors here at the Museum. Unless there is a sign indicating that the wolves are off exhibit due to veterinary care, the answer is always “Yes, the wolves are always out.” They’re not always easy to find though. Our Red Wolves typically [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Dragons! by , Ranger

November 25th, 2011

Besides the many human visitors to the Museum on the mild, blue-sky day after Thanksgiving, Autumn Meadowhawks (Sympetrum vicinum) were out in numbers. These late season dragonflies can be seen into the first half of December. While I expect to see meadowhawks at this time of year, what was remarkable is the sighting of a female Common [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Drilling wood by , Ranger

November 25th, 2011

There are four species of sapsucker in North America, Yellow-bellied, Williamson’s, Red-naped, and Red-breasted Sapsuckers. Being woodpeckers they all make their living by drilling holes in wood. Sapsuckers specialize in drilling shallow wells, often in neat little rows, in living trees in order to suck the sap that eventually fills those wells. They also take [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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ANSWER to last QUIZ by , Ranger

November 23rd, 2011

First, the “things to consider” from the last post are explained: My tracks are on the water. The tracks, or splashes, seem to be made by something striking the surface of the water, probably feet. Many creatures live in and around water, otters, beaver, muskrats, even raccoons take a dip every now and then. They [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Yay, it’s Quiz Time!!! by , Ranger

November 21st, 2011

What’s this, splashes in the water? Yes, those splashes were made by something, your job is to figure out what. There are four distinct splashes. What creature would make tracks on the water’s surface, however temporary they are? Things to consider: My tracks are on the water. My feeding behavior is a clue to my tracks. [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Groundsel is letting loose by , Ranger

November 19th, 2011

At the beginning of the week, the blustery winds and rain sent an abundance of leaves to air, settling on the paths, woodlands, and on the water’s surface in the Wetlands. Yesterday (11/18) it was Groundsel Tree’s turn, but this time it’s the seeds that are being spread over the landscape. Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia), [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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On the way to the Wetlands I saw… by , Ranger

November 17th, 2011

            …and much, much more. Read the rest of this entry »

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Two Birds and Three Insects by , Ranger

November 16th, 2011

On November 2, I mentioned that I had seen the first of the season Hooded Merganser. It was a single bird (alone) and appeared to be a female. On Thursday (11/10) there were three mergs in the Wetlands, a male and two females. Yesterday (11/15) there were ten birds in the water. There was also [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Speaking of howling…and snakes by , Ranger

November 11th, 2011

To the delight of a group of children visiting the Museum Wednesday the Red Wolves got into a howling match with a fire engine (11/9). At times, sirens set the wolves off but it has to be the right frequency and distance from the Museum for it to work, not every siren works for them. [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Sticks Like a Tick. by , Ranger

November 10th, 2011

Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense) is native to North America. It’s a prairie plant, a legume, and reaches a height of over six feet. From it’s name you may have inferred that it is a pretty (showy) plant and has three-lobed leaves (trefoil). The flowers are indeed attractive and the leaves have three leaflets, but [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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