New Bear, Rose Hips, and an At Home Mockingbird

Top Photo: A panoramic view of the wetlands from the boardwalk. We have a new black bear in our Black Bear Enclosure which brings the number of ursine occupants at the museum to four. That includes Mimi, Gus, Little, and now an approximately 9 month old male cub (not yet named) in residence. You may see him pacing back and forth in front of the overlook in Explore the Wild. Don’t fret, there’s always a period of anxiety when newRead more

Another Early Bloomer

Typically, around the first or second week in February, hazel alder blooms here in our wetland. This year, the deciduous shrub with simple alternate fine-toothed leaves, long yellowish male catkins and dainty red female flowers was in full display in mid January. Hazel alder likes to grow along streams, lakes, and ponds and may reach 10 or 15 feet in height. The fruit or seeds of the plant, which mature in the fall, are contained within small cones (about 1/2”)Read more