Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) in Explore the Wild.

Same cloak with partially open wings.

Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer).

This peeper was in Catch the Wind (same frog as above).

Besides the snake being captured by a Red-shouldered Hawk last Friday, Kent (Animal Department) reported seeing what was probably the same hawk catch one in the Lemur Yard on Sunday (1/29/12). From the descriptions given it doesn’t seem as though they were Brown Snakes so, although I can’t be sure, I’m assuming that both were garter snakes. Both Brown Snakes (Storeria dekayi) and Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) have been known to be out and about in both late fall and late winter/early spring. Of course, this is mid-winter. I saw a garter snake along the Eno River, just half a dozen miles or so from the Museum, on New Years Day this year!

The Wetlands, very quiet.

Virginia contemplating her next move.

Yona (foreground), reacting to Virginia's next move.

Come out and have a look!

See if you can find the bird, then identify it.

Don’t scroll down to the bottom of the page until you’ve had a look at the first image.

Can you find the bird?

Good job.

Now, what kind of bird?

Can you identify the bird?

Great, a woodpecker.

Now, what kind of woodpecker?

Drilling wells.

If you still don’t have it, here’s s a clue.

Have a good one,

OK, OK, we’re not in Watertown, NY where, as I write this, it’s 13° F, or Duluth, MN where it’s currently 0° on the Fahrenheit scale. We’re in the south, and down here, if the day’s high temps never climb out of the thirties, it’s cold. So, without further explanation or excuse, here are the pictures.

Ice around the edges of the falls in the Red Wolf Enclosure.

The ice-covered Wetlands.

The Sailboat Pond in Catch the Wind which normally has sailboats floating about, is now covered with ice.

The waterfall in the Black Bear Enclosure with much ice attached.

While we’re at the bears…

Gus takes a cautious step out on the ice to grab a bit of bear chow.

Virginia tests the ice, "What is this stuff?"

Gus, Virginia, and Mimi all explore the ice below the falls. Ursula, who has been through many winters at the Museum, is fast asleep in the cave.

Enjoy the cold, it usually doesn’t last long in these parts.

(The following images were added to this post on January 7, 2010 in answer to the comment above.)

The "white" ice of the Wetlands is caused by an aeration system under the water.

Interesting patterns are caused by air under and in the ice of the Wetlands.