Velvet ants – have you ever heard of them? Better yet, have you ever seen one? These relatively large, solitary insects look like ants, but they are actually wasps.
All in Wildlife Watching
Exploring Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
It might come as a shock to the average tourist, but the real Florida does not come equipped with roller coaster-like rides and mice on steroids. If you're in central Florida and you want to see the real deal, simply drive to Titusville and visit the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR).
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Homely But Helpful Opossum
The opossum, or “possum”, is a very interesting animal. These peaceful, docile mammals are North America’s only marsupial (a mammal with a pouch for carrying their young), and since they do not truly hibernate they are active all year long.
The Story Of Bear Rock
One fine September day a few years back, I was fishing along a small stream in northwestern Montana’s Yaak River drainage. It was sunny, warm, and the fishing was good. I had already worked my way about a mile upstream from where I had parked the truck, and I continued northward, almost on automatic pilot, casting a gray hackle peacock wet fly from small pool to small pool as I moved.
Walking The Florida Trail
The Florida Trail (FT) runs for approximately 1,500 miles through Florida, from Big Cypress National Preserve to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore, in Pensacola. By Congressional action, it's also known as the Florida National Scenic Trail. The FT provides continuous, permanent, non-motorized recreation opportunities for hiking and other compatible activities, while showcasing Florida's rich biodiversity, history, and culture.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Beautiful Mourning Cloak Butterfly
The common Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) is a beautiful harbinger of spring. It gets its name from the German word “trauermantel”, which translates to “mourning coat” or “mourning cloak”.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Fast-Moving Leopard Frogs
The handsome northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) has been a perennial favorite among frog lovers for many years. These fast-moving amphibians are usually green or brown in color, with large dark-colored spots on their backs, sides and legs. The spots are reminiscent of the spots on African leopards, hence the name.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Singing Carolina Wren
Backyard birds come in all shapes and sizes. There are robins, finches, sparrows, cardinals, blue jays and many others. But one of the smallest and most secretive is the diminutive Carolina wren. Yet despite their small size and shy nature, Carolina wrens are real powerhouses when it comes to singing.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Cute Whitetail Deer Fawn
It seems like everyone loves whitetail deer fawns. They are so cute, how can you help but fall in love with them? Within 30 minutes of birth, they can stand on their long, spindly legs all by themselves. They may not be terribly coordinated yet, but they will be walking within a few hours.
Close Adventures Of The Wolf Kind
Jenny Biolo, who lives in far northwest Wisconsin, is likely the only woman in the country, maybe in North America, who had to courage to take on a wolf with a stick. “He wasn’t expecting a 33-year old blonde with a stick when came after my daughter’s goat,” said Biolo.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Fearsome Dragonfly
Dragonflies are carnivorous aerial predators. They have a long body and two pairs of clear wings. Their head is dominated by two large, multifaceted eyes that give them superior vision.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Acrobatic Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Some of the fastest and most acrobatic little birds around are the nuthatches. One of those species is the small but feisty Red-Breasted Nuthatch. These tiny, bluish-gray birds have a very distinctive face with a black cap, black eye stripe and a bright white eyebrow stripe.