Category Archives: Spring

An Identification Guide to the Bears: at the Museum of Life and Science

As Ranger at the Museum of Life + Science I spend a lot of time in Explore the Wild, Catch the Wind, and on the Dinosaur Trail. I’m asked many questions on a variety of topics from “Where’s the restrooms?” to “Are there fish in the Wetlands?” While stopping by the Black Bear Exhibit, I’m [...] Read more...

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A Strange Nest, a Typical Nest, a Flycatcher, and a Swallow

A few weeks ago I got a call on the radio about a bird’s nest next to the Vapor Rings Exhibit in Catch the Wind. This was a “You gotta to see this” kind of call, so I hightailed it up to Vapor Rings to see for myself. I didn’t quite know what to make [...] Read more...

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Up to the Challenge

While slowly making its way across the path next to the Wetlands in Explore the Wild, a crawfish suddenly found itself surrounded by gigantic two-legged creatures. When confronted by a passerby, the crawfish stood its ground. Not to be outdone by a biped, no matter how big, the crawfish met the challenge. After a brief [...] Read more...

Also posted in Insects and Other Arthropods | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Mysterious Red Tubular Growth

The voice on the radio (Animal Department Director, Sherry Samuels) said that there was a cluster of strange, red, tube-like fungi growing out of the ground next to the Lemur House and wondered if I knew what it was. I said that I didn’t know what it was but would stop by and have a [...] Read more...

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May Herpetological Happenings

At this time of year many turtles are moving up to dry land to lay eggs. They turn up in the most peculiar of places in their quest for the perfect spot in which to dig a hole and lay their eggs (According to Ornithopter Operator, John Hammons, a Yellow-bellied Slider was found on the [...] Read more...

Also posted in Reptiles and Amphibians | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Kingfisher Returns, With Some New Faces!

There were five Belted Kingfishers in the Wetlands on Wednesday afternoon (5/26). What does that mean? It means that our resident female, which is seen in the Wetlands nearly every day of the year until nesting duties call her away in April, has returned with her new family. I wasn’t able to get a close [...] Read more...

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Worm or Snake?

“Is that a worm or a snake?” shouted a Museum guest as she stared down at the ground at a small, slender, brown creature frantically wiggling along the macadam on the north side of the Wetlands. Standing about thirty feet from the woman I could see the critter, but couldn’t tell exactly what it was. [...] Read more...

Also posted in Reptiles and Amphibians | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Big Blue and the Bull

The Great Blue Heron is back, and hungry! A Bullfrog makes a nice meal for a heron. Our resident heron (below) has captured a large male frog. With a firm grip on the frog, the heron wades over to a nearby island to safely prepare the frog for consumption. The frog must be rendered motionless [...] Read more...

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Insects Come Alive

With the heat comes the insects. As the season moves along more and more insects have begun to hatch, emerge, or arouse. As you already know (if you’ve been reading this journal), insects spend the cold months as either eggs, larvae, pupae, or even as adults, tucked away in some crevice, under the ground, underwater, [...] Read more...

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May Flora

Japanese Honeysuckle is in bloom. An exotic species, and an invasive one, Japanese Honeysuckle is still a favorite of many people for both its fragrance and taste. People either love Japanese Honeysuckle or they hate it. Here’s just one paper on the subject. Mulberry is ripening and many birds are gulping down the berries as soon [...] Read more...

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Greg Dodge's Portrait
  • Greg Dodge is a professional naturalist as well as a writer, videographer and producer of natural history DVDs. His images have been used in various TV productions, museum displays, and corporate videos. Above all, he has a fascination and passion for all things natural.
  • Stop by and say hello Tuesday thru Saturday in Explore the Wild, Catch the Wind, or on the Dino Trail.