Feathers, being unique to birds, are one of the most remarkable structures in nature. They are the ultimate multi-taskers. Here are some fun feathery feats: Feathers provide thermoregulation since birds can adjust each feather position at will with …
The opossum (Didelphis virginianas) is a truly remarkable creature. Although many consider them to be ugly, even sinister looking, (the author is not among those) they possess no small number of amazing adaptations. There are a few …
With the exception of size, a cat is a cat and that is that. From the largest and most aggressive wild cats to our pampered pets, the body form of a cat remains the same. This may be viewed as efficiency in the cat design: A very effective predator and the purr-fect hunting machine.
Fall seems to be a sad time of year. We lose things – warmth, leaves and favorite song birds. However, bird migration is an astounding phenomenon. That these small, seemingly delicate creatures can travel such distances …
Unihemispherical sleep is an amazing adaptation that has been well studied in several animals, particularly birds. Researchers have used electroencephalograms (EEG) to understand the ability of birds to sleep with only one hemisphere of their …
It’s a wonder that one of the world’s most spectacular and strongest flying insects begins life as a dingy, sinister-looking aquatic larva. Dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis; there is no pupal stage, during development from egg to …
The yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) is not often seen, but is a common summer time resident of the refuge. They use dense wooded stands with lots of cover and water nearby to raise their broods. Cuckoos may be …
The production of plant galls is fascinating, complex, a bit bizarre and not fully understood. Galls are mutated plant tissue, many of which are formed by the chemical secretions of insects. In the case of …
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a native wildflower that grows in rich moist woods. This plant has attractive medium-green lobed leaves and the white flowers are arranged on 8” – 10” tall stems. The tiny flowers have long …
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canandensis) is a beautiful spring ephemeral found throughout our area growing in moist woodlands and along streams. The genus name –sanguinarius- is Latin for “bleeding” and refers to the blood-red juice present in the …
