The warm days of summer are here, and that means our flower and vegetable gardens are already in full bloom. One of the most colorful residents of our backyard gardens is not a flower, though, it is the tiny candy-striped leafhopper.
All in Wildlife Watching
The Wild Side of Central Florida - Tosohatchee WMA
Orlando, Florida. It's the world's number one tourist destination. Most of the visitors come to see Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World. Theme parks. Artificial attractions. We have better places here, natural attractions. One of them is the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Mallard Ducks
Mallard ducks are a very common, medium-sized waterfowl species living throughout North America. In fact, they are the most abundant duck species on the continent. They are actually common in other parts of the world, too, such as Europe, Asia, Australia and North Africa.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: White-Crowned Sparrows Are Migrating Visitors
Sparrows tend to be hard for most casual birders to identify. Many of them just look like small, unremarkable brown birds. There are a few exceptions, though, and the white-crowned sparrow is one of them.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Barred Owls - Silent Hunters
he barred owl is one of the silent night hunters of the Midwest and eastern United States. They are expanding their range out west, too. Their specialized feathers allow them to fly in almost complete silence, remaining undetected by their prey until it is too late.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: American Toads in the Garden
The American toad lives throughout most of the eastern and northeastern United States. In fact, they are the most widespread toad species in all of North America. This common amphibian is a frequent visitor to flower gardens, vegetable gardens, and other moist areas where insects abound.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Brilliantly-Colored Oriole
Baltimore orioles are one of the most beautiful birds that visit the central and eastern United States. Their bright orange feathers really stand out against the dark green leaves of the shrubs and trees where they feed, making them easy to see for anyone watching.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies
Most people agree that the vast majority of butterfly species in North America are beautiful to look at, but one of my favorites is the very attractive Pipevine Swallowtail. They are jet black overall, and the hind wings of the males are marked with a spectacular blue iridescence.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Cowbird Brood Parasitism
Brown-headed cowbirds are unusual birds. They are just one of many species of native blackbirds, and as the name says, even though the body feathers of the male birds are black, they have a noticeably brown head.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Tiny Gray Tree Frogs
Gray Tree Frogs are very small creatures, typically measuring 1.5 to 2 inches long. Believe it or not, these tiny amphibians are equipped with two amazing “super powers”. One of those remarkable powers is their climbing ability.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Cliff Swallows Call Bridges Home
Most of us have seen barn swallows flying around the countryside, but how many have seen a cliff swallow? The American cliff swallow is a member of the bird family that includes swallows and martins. These small, swift birds breed throughout much of the United States during the summer and migrate to South America during the winter.
Black Bear Encounters
There’s something unsettling, visceral even, about a bear attacking a person. It’s not the way it should be. We’re supposed to be the top predator in the food chain, not the second link. Fortunately, events like this are rare which is why they attract people’s attention as they do.