The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that there are more than 1.5 million deer- vehicle collisions each year, resulting in 150 occupant deaths, tens of thousands of injuries, and more than $1 billion in vehicle damage.

The average cost per insurance claim for collision damage is about $2,600, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of damage. When you factor in auto claims involving bodily injury, the average rises to more than $11,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

"As our wildlife habitat continues to shrink, accidents with deer and other animals (Moose crossing road in Maine) are likely to increase. We need to be more vigilant in our driving," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokeswoman for the Institute.

There are steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of being involved in a deer-vehicle collision. After an aggressive communications campaign to warn policyholders and the public about the hazard, Pennsylvania-based auto insurer Erie Insurance reported a 6 percent... Read On

About 7” in height, it has a short, broad bill and short legs. Both sexes show the same markings, the most obvious of which is the narrow, black mask, edged in white, that extends over the face ending in a point behind the eye.

The chin is also black. The rest of the head and back are buffy brown while the belly is a pale yellow. The middle back is gray brown and the rump and upper tail are slate gray. The tail is tipped with a bright yellow band. Undertail coverts are white. The legs and feet are black.

This bird’s name comes from a peculiar plumage feature. At the end of each secondary wing feather, the shaft extends out into a small, red, wax-like appendage. These waxy appendages increase in number as the bird grows into adult plumage.

Cedar Waxwings are social all year long, nesting in loose clusters. At times they wander widely in large flocks searching for sources of fruit. Typical summer habitats include open woodlands, old overgrown fields, farms, orchards, plantations and suburban gardens and parks.

Cedar Waxwings are most... Read On

The tree, named "Hyperion," (pictured) is the largest of three redwoods discovered this summer that eclipse the previous world record holder, a 370.5-ft. tall redwood named "Stratosphere Giant."

The researchers suspected tree was more than 378 ft. tall, but held off on declaring it a world record until Humboldt State University botanist Stephen Sillett climbed the giant tree two weeks ago.

Laser range finders are fairly accurate devices, but it is not always possible to hit a tree's highest leaf from the ground when using such a device. The most accurate means of measuring a tree's height is to climb into its crown and lower a fiberglass tape from the top.

The climb was delayed until... Read On

For more nature photographs, see
the Gallery on WindStar's web site and Nature's Best Photographs Album in the American Wildlife Blog.

Usually he's the "Bluebird of Happiness" but here he appears ruffled and disgusted with the onset of colder weather in this reproduction of the photograph by Michael L. Smith. This is one of the most famous nature photographs ever created and originally was seen in a National Geographic Society birding book.

Here it has been reproduced on 12-oz. porcelain mugs that are microwave and dishwasher safe. Makes a terrific gift!

I'd like to ask your support in saluting the folks in Boiling Springs Lakes, NC. These folks have the perfect habitat for the Red- cockaded Woodpecker...lots of old Long Leaf Pine. These fine folks got word that there was going to be a moratorium on cutting down the old pines, because those in the know realized that the trees were critical to the survival of these endangered birds.

The environmentally aware and nature-loving folks in Boiling Spring Lakes responded by applying for and received 368 permits to remove every Long Leaf Pine on their collective properties. They removed every possible nesting place for their Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.

I hope there is one guy or gal in the town that stood up and said... Read On