Top Photo: From left to right, Adeyha, Cedar, Juniper, Oak, Sassafras, Maple (or it could be). The photo above depicts the two parent red wolves here on exhibit, Adeyha and Oak, and all but one of the pups born April 21, 2024 at the museum (the fifth pup is off to the side). And thanks to you who voted for them, the pups now have names. Cedar Juniper Maple Sassafras Tupelo I for one cannot distinguish who is who amongRead more
Posts tagged: #oak
Frenzy*
To Photo: Oak and Niko. There are four stages to the canine estrus cycle (reproductive cycle)—proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. Proestrus is the stage where the female’s estrogen level peaks. Proestrus lasts for, on average, 9 days. Males are attracted to her but she is not receptive to them. Estrus, which also averages 9 days, is the fertile period. Estrogen levels drop and proestrogen levels rise. More importantly, the female is receptive to males. Diestrus lasts for about 2-3 months or until theRead more
Who’s Who (Niko and Oak)
Top Photo: Oak (front) and Niko. On November 12, I posted about the arrival of our two red wolves, Niko and Oak. In that post I also mentioned a bit about how to differentiate the two, tell them apart from one another. Besides the white cheek patch (very small and barely noticeable) and white area surrounding the base of her tail (quite evident), Oak has a much narrower face than Niko. The broader snout and forehead of Niko is discernibleRead more
It’s Crunch Time!
Top Photo: Fall color (Northwoods, Wisconsin). What does fall have to offer besides the spectacular annual changing of the leaves—the crunching of them under your feet, that’s what. Few things can compare to swishing around in the thick, fall, leaf liter. But, as much fun as that might be, seeking out and crunching individual leaves is even more pleasing. Not every leaf is equal though. I’ve found that certain leaves make a very satisfying crunch underfoot while others leave youRead more
Color Arrives
Top Photo: Dwarf sumac. Here in the middle of North Carolina, fall colors arrive in November. This year, many of the leaves went straight to brown, whether due to an unusually dry summer or some other meteorological phenomenon. However, there are still gems to be found out there. But you better experience it now. It only takes one good November gale to knock the color out of the trees and onto the ground. Here’s some color I came across theRead more
Falling Into Winter
We’re on the back side of fall and sliding into winter. There’s still much going on out-of-doors with lots to see if you keep an eye open to it. Here’s some of what I’ve been seeing. Asters are late summer and fall blooming flowers. They’re still blooming in the garden in front of our Butterfly House. Red buckeye fruit have already burst open spilling their large brown seeds (buckeyes) to the ground. Several common snapping turtle hatchlings were spotted bothRead more