Top Photo: American robin forages for worms and grubs. Many birds rely on insects and other invertebrates for food especially in the nesting season when protein is a priority. But what do they eat in the cooler months when insects are less active and not readily available? Though many insects are still preyed upon in winter, mostly as eggs or grubs, some birds often rely on various fruits for nourishment during the slow winter period. Fruits like beauty berry, hollyRead more
Posts filed in: AZA
Finally!
Top Photo: A pair of hooded mergansers in the museum’s wetlands. Finally, a pair of hooded mergansers dropped into the wetlands. This is the latest arrival date in my time here at the museum (I spotted the pair on Tuesday, December 2, but they may have been here Sunday [11/30] or Monday [12/1] and not reported. I was present neither day). I traditionally get a peek at them by mid-November. I’m anxious to see how long they stick around. RangerRead more
Meadowhawks, Mistletoe and a Hawk (bird)
Top Photo: Autumn meadowhawk (male). Autumn meadowhawks, formally known as yellow-legged meadowhawks, are late season dragonflies. I’ve seen them here at the museum as late as December and certainly in October and November. The former name of yellow-legged meadowhawk was changed to autumn meadowhawk about 20 years ago to indicate the species behavior or seasonality rather than the color to its legs, which are not particularly yellow. Other look-a-like meadowhawks in the genus Sympetrum have black legs. The meadowhawk shownRead more
Aphids on Oaks
Top Photo: Myzocallis aphids on scarlet oak leaf. There are more than 1300 species of aphid in North America. It seems like every plant species or variety has its own specialized aphid, sucking the juices from the plant and often causing serious damage in the process. Other times the damage is minimal and the plant is relatively unharmed. Such is the case with the aphids shown here (Myzocallis). I found and photographed several small groups of this Myzocallis aphid onRead more
Where are the Mergansers?
Top Photo: Male hooded mergansers display (pair-bond) for female in wetlands. Hooded mergansers are migratory waterfowl. Though many of the birds are year-round residents in the southeast, even nesting locally. We don’t see them here at the museum from mid-April on. They’re usually back on the scene by mid-November, though I’ve seen them here as early as the third week in October (10/20). I haven’t spotted one yet this fall. Where are the birds? No worries. But do keep anRead more
Farewell to the Oka and Martha Pack
Top Photo: Red Wolf family in September 2025 at Museum of Life and Science before departing for Wolf Conservation Center. Martha on the left, Oka on the right and Ember, Proton, and Scuppernong in the middle. Oka and Martha came to us through the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY in the fall of 2024. They’ll be heading back to their old stomping grounds this fall, November to be exact. This, after having a litter of three strong andRead more
Chicken Mushroom, Rare Wren, Odd Sweetgum, Active Tadpoles and Basking Turtles
Top Photo: Chicken of the woods. Chicken of the woods is a shelf mushroom which grows directly from dead wood. It does not have stems or stalks, and it’s a polypore, meaning it has numerous pores on the underside of its caps or shelves rather than gills to spread its spores. This mushroom may be bright yellow or orange when fresh but may fade to white or tan as it ages. It’s edible. However, while doing research, I found it’sRead more
From Muscadines to Silk Moths
Top Photo: Muscadine grapes ripening on the vine. Muscadine grapes are native to the southeast and are a common and welcomed plant here at the museum. Many birds and mammals including cardinals, robins, and turkeys, groundhogs, gray fox, and humans eat the fruit. There are many vines throughout the museum grounds. If you can reach the grapes as they grow on the vine, it’s worth it to grab a few for yourself before they’re all gone. Cardinal flower is bloomingRead more