All in Wildlife Watching
Coyotes are common throughout the United States these days, and it is not unusual to hear groups of them howling and barking in the distance on a cold winter evening right after dark. They often travel in pairs or small family groups as they hunt, usually covering a distance of two or three miles during the night.
Everyone loves sunfish. Just about all fisherman, whether they are young or old, have caught their fair share of sunfish over the years. Sunfish are a staple for kids of all ages; these small fish always seem to be hungry and are usually eager to take a baited hook. Perfect for beginning anglers!
Have you ever seen a salamander? They are not an everyday sight, at least not in most (dry) places around the city where lots of people live. Salamanders of nearly all species require damp or wet habitats, and blue-spotted salamanders are no different.
Did you know that American badgers are native to most states in the USA? Did you also know that if you are living in one of the Great Lakes states or anywhere west of the Mississippi River, there are probably badgers living within a 30-minute drive of your house right now?
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
