Most of us are familiar with bracket fungus, whether we know it or not. Bracket fungus, or shelf fungus, is the typically small fungus that grows on the sides of tree trunks or logs. They look like little shelves. There are a couple of large bracket fungi growing from an oak tree on the Dinosaur Trail. The tree is between the Styracosaurus and the Fossil Dig. While you’re digging for shark’s teeth, take a break and have a peek at theRead more
Month: October 2010
Snakes!
I’ve seen three snakes since last Saturday (10/23), a Black Rat Snake, a Northern Water Snake, and a Brown Snake. The rat snake was on an overturned stump near the head of the Dinosaur Trail on Saturday. It was still there Wednesday (10/27). The water snake was on the path next to the Wetlands Overlook. It was a young snake, about 9 inches in length. I didn’t have my camera strapped to my hip as usual, so I hurried off toRead more
The Look of the Wetlands
Descending down the boardwalk into the Wetlands… It’s worth the hike.Read more
What are those Birds Eating?
As you walked along the trail through Explore the Wild on your last visit to the Museum, you may have noticed tiny “wet” spots on the pavement on the north side of the Wetlands and again past the Lemur House on your way to Catch the Wind, as if it had been lightly raining. If, when you saw the “wet” spots, you looked up you would have seen a branch of a mimosa tree above you. The wet spots cameRead more
Caching Blue Jays
In October of 2008 I wrote about Blue Jays hoarding acorns and how they may have played a role in reforesting the east after the most recent glacial period. The other day I noticed Blue Jays flying back and forth over Catch the Wind. I forgot about those raucous birds until this morning (10/21) as I was talking with Ranger Lewis at the Ornithopter. They’re at it again! If you happen to be out in Catch the Wind, look up,Read more
Groundhogs Too!
Last month I posted a piece about our resident, wild, groundhogs. This is just a reminder that if you see one of these big ground squirrels, look, get a photo, say Hi, but please try to stay well back from the animal. The groundhogs are very active at this time of year and are out in the open feeding in order to build up their fat reserves for the winter. Thanks.Read more
Quiz Birds
I thought I’d post a few images of birds to see if anyone can identify them, a bird quiz (for everyone except Nathan, sorry). Both species were shot at Falls Lake this past Sunday (10/17), which is actually a rather good clue, if you keep up with the local bird listserv. The first is a small bird and can potentially be seen each fall in our area if you look hard enough. Next we have shorebirds. The group of birdsRead more
Ravens 1, Eagles 0
Still no eagle, but I did see a Common Raven fly over Catch the Wind on Saturday (10/15). The large black bird was quickly flying north while being pursued by two crows, one of the smaller corvids flying above it, the other dive-bombing it from behind! You may be surprised to hear that I’ve seen more eagles fly over the Museum than I have ravens. In the past three years I’ve witnessed 5 Bald Eagles over the Museum’s airspace. I’ve onlyRead more
Migrants, Avian and Lepidopteran
The first White-throated Sparrow of the season showed up at the feeders at Flying Birds in Catch the Wind on Thursday, 14 October. Although I’ve been predicting an eagle for the past few weeks (wishful thinking), I really expected one yesterday (10/15) as the winds and timing were conducive to the passage of the big birds. It didn’t happen, or at least I didn’t see one. I did happen to see an American Kestrel moving through, flapping and gliding directlyRead more