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By Scott Shalaway FLYING Squirrels, red bats and Rufous Hummingbirds might seem an odd trio of topics for early December, but this week each merits attention. After years of suspicion, I've finally confirmed that Flying Squirrels visit my feeders at night. Several weeks ago I began hearing high pitched squeaks near the feeders after dark. I grabbed a flashlight and waited patiently. (Sometimes Northern Flying Squirrels like this one slip into homes) Next time I heard the squeaks, I threw the light on the feeders. Two Flying Squirrels scurried from a nut feeder and jumped to the nearest tree. In the past, two weeks, I've seen these amazing little squirrels every night, and they seem to be getting more tolerant of me. I'm hoping that a steady supply of nuts and sunflower seeds will ease their fear of me. Flying Squirrels, sometimes called fairy diddles, are common in deciduous woods but strictly nocturnal, so most people never... Read On | ||||
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By Tom Patrick NO PLACE to park. Huge crowds of pushing and shoving people. Traffic is a nightmare. If you are happy dealing with these conditions-- good for you. But, they aren't my cup of tea. I do my Christmas shopping on the Internet on websites I can trust such as WindStar Wildlife Institute's Nature Shop where all proceeds go to support WindStar's Environmental Education Programs--not overhead. I happen to think that photographer Michael Smith is one of the best nature photographers. This is one of his Osprey photographs that you can purchase in our Nature Shop.
So we have made a number of products available to you featuring his wildlife photographs... Read On | ||
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By Ari Cetron WHILE investigating the cause of some fish kills in the upper Potomac River, Vicki Blazer and a team of government scientists found a different problem. The male fish—both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass—were exhibiting female characteristics, such as carrying egg cells. (Smallmouth Bass illustration by Virgil Beck) Now Blazer's group, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, is studying both issues. While the focus of their study is fish, the scientists can't ignore the possible effects downstream in the Potomac River near Washington, DC, where more than three million residents of the region get their drinking water. "There is a concern in the human population," said Blazer, a fish pathologist. "Fish actually have the same endocrine systems as humans have." The highest concentrations of fish with signs of gender problems were in... Read On | ||
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Shell Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year While on an expedition in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean, with a group of naturalists, Rick Stanley of the U.S. wandered off with his Dominican friend Rubio to look for wildlife in the forest. ‘Suddenly,’ says Rick, ‘we heard a loud squeaking’. Rubio was the first to discover its source – a distressed Hispaniolan Treefrog, which had been caught by a Green Vine Snake. ‘I photographed the drama as the frog dangled in front of me, but Rubio was unable to resist helping the victim and gently touched the snake, which promptly dropped its meal and slithered away along the branches.’ The frog, seemingly unaffected by the snake’s mild venom, hopped off. Rick was left wondering whether it would have been morally better to let the snake have its meal – and, indeed, if it would have succeeded in swallowing such a large frog had it been left to try. For more nature photographs, see the Gallery on WindStar's web site and Nature's Best Photographs Album in the American Wildlife Blog. | ||
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Beautiful Nature Photograph Usually he's the "Bluebird of Happiness" but here he appears ruffled and disgusted with the onset of colder weather in this color 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. We have framed and unframed prints in 5x7, 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20 inches. The talented photographer, Michael Smith, frames and signs each print. Find more Mad Bluebird and other nature gift suggestions in the Nature Shop | ||
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Trap/Neuter/Release Feral Cats Questioned FIRST, the solution to feral cat overpopulation has to be driven by logic and science and a real humane concern for these cats, not by emotion alone as it is now here is San Francisco, according to J.R. Yeager. " I acknowledge that there are people out there willing to do the TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release) work, but there are not enough of them (as they would lead you to believe) to make TNR the only permitted solution (as they would like it to be). All TNR programs need..." Read On Marigolds
Useful To Wildlife
SOME of the cultivated plants that are often grown by homeowners can be very useful to wildlife, says Marlene Condon. "French Marigold (Tagetes patula) and African Marigold (Tagetes erecta) are just such plants. Marigolds have a long blooming season, allowing numerous kinds of butterflies to feed all summer and into the fall. Monarchs, Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails, Great Spangled Fritillaries, and many different sulphurs and skippers come to these plants. Bees visit and occasionally a Ruby-throated Hummingbird... Read On | ||
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That's it for this week. Be sure and sign up for the American Wildlife Blog for the latest commentary and please feel free to add comments of your own. Have An EXCELLENT Day in your WILDLIFE HABITAT! (Flying Squirrel is Nature's Acrobat!)
 Tom Patrick Email: wildlife@windstar.org
Phone: 301-293-3351
Web &
Blog: http://www.windstar.org |
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