One of the sure signs of springtime is the sight of the red admiral butterfly. Every year around this time our yards and gardens are invaded by colorful and fast-flying butterflies, and one of the most acrobatic is the red admiral.
Traveling America By Van: On The Road
Getting out of Austin was crazy. Morning traffic, a near-wreck (we got a bird flipped our way), a stop at Starbucks, and stop-and-go for most of an hour- the joy of back roads was not with us early on. But we then cleared the Austin city limits, and we started to roll.
The Disagreement
I was sitting with my back to a tree in the remote reaches of British Columbia's East Kootenay Mountains. I was with my friend, Bob Fontana, and we were watching a couple of three‑year‑old grizzly cubs in a large opening on the sunny, south‑facing hillside across the canyon from us. They were feeding on the remains of a mountain goat killed in an avalanche the previous winter.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The American Goldfinch
A common visitor to back yard bird feeders is the brightly-colored American goldfinch. These small finches are easy to identify by their coloration. Adult males are bright yellow with black wings and a black cap on their head.
Traveling America By Van: Austin, TX
"Keep Austin Weird." Susan and I saw the sign in several places in the city. Austin wears its quirkiness well, and did not close to experiencing all of it. Any city that celebrates a nightly flight of bats, well, you have admire its eccentricity.
Crawfish Haven: Catch, Cook, and Sleep Like a True Cajun
In the heart of Acadiana, just about 35 minutes from the Louisiana city of Lafayette, sits a retreat where you can catch, cook, and sleep like a true Cajun. Welcome to Crawfish Haven/ Mrs. Rose’s Bed and Breakfast where owner & proprietor Barry Toups finds joy in introducing guests from around the world to authentic Cajun living.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Freshwater Drum
One common species of fish that is known by many different names is the freshwater drum. Some anglers call them sheephead, or sheepshead, while others call them silver perch, silver bass, gray bass, grunt, grunter, croaker, shepherd’s pie and even gaspergoo.
Traveling America By Van: A Week In Willis
Ken and Cindy waved at us from the far end of a long driveway. We opened the gate and drove through, into pastures with goats and grazing horses. The driveway led us to our friends, and we jumped out of the van into laughter and embraces. It had been a long time, and we loved seeing them again!
Here Comes The Game Warden
A natural resource stop or inspection can be stressful for both the person being checked and the Wildlife Officer. Here are several “Do’s” and “Don’ts” that can make your next encounter with a Wildlife Officer pain-free and sometimes even pleasurable!
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Great Horned Owl
Owls are creatures of the night. In the Midwestern United States, the largest and perhaps most well-known owl is the Great Horned Owl. These big birds can have wingspans of four to five feet, and they hunt everything from mice and rats to rabbits, snakes, frogs and even other birds like ducks and hawks.
Traveling America By Van: We Gain Texas
We rolled westward along Louisiana Route 82. Low overcast, driven northward by a wind that carried a fresh odor of the Gulf of Mexico, scudded overhead. The fisherman in me was going crazy- I hadn't touched a rod since I packed them into the car before we left Florida, and the miles of salt marsh we passed provided a lifetime of shallow-water fishing opportunities.
Man's Best Bird: The Ancient Sport of Falconry
For most hunters, it’s only natural for us to associate the phrase “man’s best hunting companion” to one of the many breeds of hunting canine, but there’s a small group of hunters whose colleague in the field is valued for their keen eye, swift maneuvers, and sharp talons instead of their sense of smell. These are falconers.