When Crickets Attack! Sounds like a good title for a fictional horror movie, but it would have to be classified as a documentary. Crickets are just as happy munching on a meaty snack as on…continue reading
Early spring is a busy time for Mother Nature. Birds are returning from migration, hibernators are waking, sap is running in the trees and butterflies are flying. Wait…butterflies?!! The Eastern Comma butterfly is one of…continue reading
The sight of a necrophagous bird feasting on its roadkill meal repulses many people. However, these scavengers, particularly turkey vultures, are important “germ cleansers.” When they eat animals that died from a bacterial or viral…continue reading
We recently found one of our tiger salamanders writhing and contorting. It seemed to be experiencing a slow motion seizure. A few moments later, it crawled out of its skin. We had just witnessed a…continue reading
Most species of bees and wasps spend winter in a state of hibernation. In some species, all but the queen die when the temperature drops. Honeybees, however, spend their winter awake and rely on food…continue reading
I came across a new spider species to me last week sitting on top of a yellow flower - a perfectly camouflaged crab spider. These small deception masters use their ability to camouflage to capture…continue reading
Birds are well known for their mobbing behavior. Individuals of a prey species will band together to harass, or even attack, a predator that has invaded their territory. Other animals also employ this anti-predation strategy.…continue reading
Where have all the insects gone? They are spending the winter in diapause. All life activities and development stop during this period. When the temperature and, more importantly, the light-to-dark ratios of sunlight are just…continue reading
While watching the birds and squirrels eat on our seed logs, the naturalists observed a visitor that brings new meaning to the word “birdfeeder.” A Sharp-shinned Hawk had swooped in hoping to grab a snack…continue reading
Heard an interesting question that I wanted to share. If it is dangerous for humans to be in water when lightning strikes, what happens to the fish? Nothing…IF they are below the surface when the…continue reading
