The red wolf pups are frequently out and about inside their spacious enclosure. They’re not always out in the open, but if you have patience and a water bottle (it’s been hot lately) you stand a very good chance at seeing at least one of the pups on your visit to their overlook. The banner across the top of this page and the photo above are of the male and female watching the animal keepers as they both clean theRead more
Posts tagged: #life and science
Sleeping Raccoon
T’was a fine mid-November morn as I walked through Catch the Wind. I’d stopped to look through the partridge pea patch across from the signage which introduces Catch the Wind to hikers, walkers and strollers making their way around our outdoor exhibits. In the fall, partridge pea produces many pods filled with copious amounts of seeds. As the pods dry, they twisted upon themselves forcing the seeds to propel themselves out away from the plant. I was hoping to collectRead more
Red Wolf Update
Our new female red wolf has arrived. She came to us from Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center in Chattanooga, TN. She is 5 years old and is part of the federal Species Survival Plan (SSP) for red wolves, one of the most endangered species in the world. Although she arrived at the Museum on Thursday evening (11/3), she is currently spending her time in the kennel area of our Red Wolf Enclosure while she becomes accustomed to the sights,Read more
Quick Look at Red Wolves
A pair of white tail deer legs were tossed into the red wolf enclosure by the animal keepers last weekend. The legs were donated by an employee here at the Museum who also happens to be a hunter. The wolves seemed to enjoy the treat. The female, lured out of her den by the smell of meatballs (typical daily offering – the keepers had just been in the enclosure), and perhaps the odor of deer, found one of the deer legs andRead more
Lepidoptera, Mantodea, and Anseriformes
There are still a few monarchs hanging about. I saw two of them on Sunday (11/15/15) in the garden on either side of the steps leading to the Butterfly House here at the Museum. I also saw an American lady and a cabbage white butterfly. All were nectaring on the asters on the west side of the steps. Also in the garden was a Chinese mantid. It, was warming itself on a metal sculpture of the sun.Read more
The Fall
Though we are past peak fall colors, there’s still great photos to be had throughout our 84 acre campus. And, there are birds migrating through as well as resident birds to be seen and photographed. And, for a couple of birds, one that you might see, another that you’ll probably see. Till next time…Read more
Hoodeds Have Arrived!
This past Tuesday, I suggested that our wintering hooded mergansers will arrive “any day now.” They have arrived! Well, one of them has arrived. A lone male was seen this morning (Sat. 10/31) on the far side of the Wetlands, and what an eyesome creature he is. Stay tuned, others can’t be far behind. Happy waterfowling! Update: As I walked through the Wetlands an hour after posting this, I noticed two more drakes for a total of three male mergansers. Also, sawRead more
Turtles Seeking Sunlight
Top Photo: Sliders catching some rays. As soon as the sun returned after a couple of weeks of overcast skies, and 12 solid days of rain, our Wetlands turtles returned to their favorite perches to bask in the golden, and long awaited, sunshine. The turtles were crowded onto logs, boulders, and tree limbs. Where there was sun, there were turtles. There’s proof in the Wetlands’ water that at least one turtle that had come ashore to nest this past summerRead more