Everyone has seen bumblebees in their back yards or in their flower gardens. These large, plump native bees are covered in soft hair that makes them look (and feel) fuzzy. Often, those hairs are covered with a thick layer of pollen grains.
All in Educational
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: Badgers Are Diggers
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?
Micro-Plastics Are Not A Micro-Problem
Beer is mostly water. Plenty of Great Lakes communities draw their drinking water from the Great Lakes. Plenty of Great Lakes shoreline communities are home to craft-breweries. We know from other research (much of it done by Professor Sam Mason’s cadre of graduate students) that the Great Lakes are awash in micro-plastics
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Perilous Velvet Ants
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.
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.
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.
Projectile Points: Ancient Weapons In The Wilderness
“Tell me again, why do we live here?” a non-hunting friend sarcastically asked me after listening to a weather forecast predicting incoming quantities of snow for northwest Wisconsin that were better measured in feet than in inches.
Fishing Friday: Is Salmon Sushi A Good Idea?
Other than slick-talking car salesmen and pretty girls selling raffle tickets, people don’t often “put one over on me” - especially, youngsters. I have nine younger brothers and sisters. But a ten-year-old nailed me good one day after fishing with me on Lake Michigan.