Chorus Frogs(3/1/2010) Keep an ear open for the call of chorus frogs this week as they prepare for the coming spring.Turkey Vultures(2/15/2010) This large bird fills an important ecological role, by cleaning up forests, grasslands, and roadsides. They roost in large colonies, but they forage individually.Maple Syrup(2/8/2010) Bring out the buckets and make a sticky treat as mid-February is the optimal time to make your own maple syrup.American Goldfinches(2/1/2010) American goldfinches breed in the summer, but that does not stop males from busting out the bright plummage in the dead of winter.Snowy Owls(1/25/2010) These magnificent birds of prey will occassionally visit Missouri when food is scarce in their arctic home.Bald Eagle Populations Peak(1/18/2010) Late December through early February is a great time to brave the cold and search for bald eagles. These magestic birds can often be found over open water near Lake of the Ozarks, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, or the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.Signs of Wildlife(1/11/2010) A walk in the woods after a snow or rain is a great time to look for common animal tracks such as deer, rabbit, or fox.Red-Tailed Hawks(1/4/2010) This successful bird of prey eats a wide variety of species and is a good indicator of ecosystem health.Recycling Christmas Trees(12/28/2009) Birds can use old Christmas trees as cover, while submerged Christmas trees provide a place for predatorial fish such as crappie and bass to ambush smaller fish.Beavers(12/21/2009) These impressive engineers are the largest rodents in the world. While they may look clumsy and awkward, they are strong, graceful swimmers who can stay submerged for extended periods of time.Christmas Ferns(12/14/2009) This fern species overwinters and adds color to the winter landscape. They are also an attractive landscaping option.Who Hibernates ... and Who Doesn't?(12/7/2009) Not all animals who sleep through the winter hibernate. Some enter torpor. Others take really long naps. A few become audio engineers.Great Horned Owl(11/30/2009) Of the four species of owl who reside in Missouri year-round, only the great horned owl has a thriving population. Since owls are such voracious consumers of rodents, it is difficult to sustain a large population.Natural Centerpieces(11/23/2009) Discover Nature this week by incorporating your natural surroundings into holiday decorations. Kids are particularly good at finding objects from nature and arranging them into centerpieces.Bird Feeders(11/16/2009) Discover Nature this week by making something that will keep you discovering nature all winter long, a bird feeder.Frost Flowers(11/9/2009) Frost flowers are delicate white blossoms that occur during the first hard frosts each fall when moisture squeezes through cracks in the stem and freezes into frosty ribbons, rosebuds or other artistic looking shapes.Nuisance Squirrels(11/2/2009) Squirrels may look cute, but they can cause major damage when they nest in your attic. There are several options to keep squirrels out of your house, including moth balls, traps, and alternate shelter.Snow Geese(10/26/2009) Discover Nature this week as snow geese descent upon Missouri refuges.Tupelo and Bald Cypress(10/19/2009) Discover Nature this week as bald cypress and tupelo gum trees add their color's to Missouri's fall landscape.Ducks Migrate Through Missouri(10/12/2009) American wigeon, pintail, and gadwall ducks can all be seen travelling through the Show-Me State this week. Keep an eye and an ear to the sky and learn to differentiate these species.Fall Color(10/5/2009) Discover Nature this week as Missouri's trees explode in color. Mid-October is often considered the best time to view the colorful display, but the season often lasts between four and six weeks.Rattlesnakes(9/28/2009) Discover Nature this week and observe timber rattlesnakes at a distrance as they enter hibernation. Missouri's largest venemous snake, the timber rattler can be found throughout the state. They often reach adult sizes between 36 and 60 inches, and prefer rocky, wooded hillsides.Persimmons(9/21/2009) Discover Nature by taking your family on a persimmon gathering expedition. Before biting into this tasty fruit, make sure it is ripe. Green persimmons have a bitter taste that is hard to forget.Fall Mushrooms(9/14/2009) Discover Nature this week and go hunting for wild mushrooms. While the morel may be the most popular wild mushroom in the state, Missouri has several edible species to choose from. Monarch Butterflies Migrate Through Missouri(9/7/2009) Discover Nature as monarch butterflies visit Missouri during their annual migration. During September, monarchs are leaving their northern homes and heading to Michoacán, Mexico for the summer.Garden Spiders(8/31/2009) Yellow garden spiders are among the largest of the orb weavers. These intricately designed spiders are beneficial to lawns and gardens, as each spider typically consumes one insect per day.White-Tailed Deer Shed Their Velvet(8/24/2009) Antlers only occur in males and are formed and shed each year. Growth begins in April and May, and reaches full size in August and September.Salamander Larvae Transform to Adults(8/17/2009) Like frogs and other amphibians, salamanders spend their early life in the water. During metamorphosis, the larvae lose their gills in favor of lungs, develop a three-chambered heart, and grow legs.Crickets Gauge the Temperature(8/10/2009) Discover Nature this week and count the chirps of Fall Field Crickets. Using a simple formula, one can calculate the temperature from the number of chirps per minute.Major Shorebird Migration(8/3/2009) Take out your camera and discover nature as shorebirds migrate through Missouri. August is a great time to keep an eye out for a variety of different birds as they make their way south for the winter.Blazing Star Blooms(7/27/2009) Discover Nature this week at Blazing Star flowers begin to show their colors. This native plant is a popular ornamental plant and attracts butterflies.Don't Disturb Young Birds(7/20/2009) While fledgling birds often appear to be lost or abandoned, it is far more likely that the mother is away getting food or keeping her distance in order to avoid drawng attention to her young. The best way to help baby birds is to leave them alone.Great Blue Heron(7/13/2009) Discover Nature this week and observe great blue herons as they raise their young. The great blue heron occupies Missouri's wetland areas and fossil records indicate that the heron was one of the earliest inhabitants of the Americas.Blackberries(7/6/2009) Discover Nature this week and head to the woods to pick ripe blackberries. This delicious fruit is perfect for pies, jams, and as an ice cream topping.Bats Bear Young(6/29/2009) As you head outside this week, keep an eye out for bats as they begin to bear their young. The only mammals capable of true flight, bats eat large quantities of insects. Avoid using pesticides as these chemicals can also kill bats.Northern Water Snakes Bask Near Water(6/22/2009) Snakes are among the most misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom. If you are not among the many people with an aversion to these reptiles, the first week of summer is a good time to see northern water snakes soaking up some rays near bodies of water.Tadpoles Become Toadlets(6/15/2009) Discover Nature this week as toad tadpoles develop adult attributes. Their hind legs will enlarge, front legs will appear, their tails will shrink, and their they will begin breathing air with brand-new lungs. Snapping Turtles Lay Eggs(6/8/2009) The Alligator Snapping Turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world. In Missouri, it is limited to the few aquatic habitats left in the Bootheel region.Fox Kits(6/1/2009) Be on the lookout for fox kits hunting with their parents during the first week of June. While blind and helpless at birth, fox kits begin to play in front of their dens at one month old and hunt with their parents at the age of ten weeks.Birdsong(5/25/2009) Discover Nature this week as birdsong at day break is at its peak. Most song is emitted by male birds and is usually delivered from perches. Scientists hypothesize that birdsong has evolved through sexual selection. Experiments suggest that the quality of bird song may be a good indicator of fitness.Eastern Bluebirds(5/18/2009) The Eastern Bluebird is Missouri's official bird. A common sight in rural backyards, the Eastern Bluebird sustains inself on insects, berries, wild grapes, sumac, and currants.Wild Strawberries(5/8/2009) Wild strawberries are delicious to both humans and wild animals. Birds, possums, skunks, chipmunks, the meadow vole, white-footed mouse, and eastern box turtle;all enjoy the berries. Eastern cottontail, white-tailed deer, and several insect species gobble up the plant's leaves.Catfish(5/4/2009) These nocturnal hunters practice highly developed parental care, have tastebuds on the side of their heads, and will go on feeding frenzies when stream levels rise.Ruby Throated Hummingbirds Arrive in Missouri(4/20/2009) The Ruby Throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird to nest in Missouri and is by far Missouri's smallest bird, measuring about three inches long and weighing just one eighth of an ounce, which is lighter than a number-two pencil.American Toads Fill the Night Sky With Their Musical Trill(4/14/2009) Toads and frogs are colorful, harmless, vocal, and valuable. They control insects and are a good indicator of environmental health.Luna Moths(4/6/2009) This cousin of the silk moth family has no mouth during adulthood, and must quickly work to find a mate before they starve.Redbuds Bloom Throughout Missouri(3/30/2009) The tree's pink blooms provide a quaint charm to forested hillsides and landscaped lawns. Redbuds are beautiful, provide habitat for wildlife, and can be used as a windbreak.Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies Grace Missouri Woodlands(3/23/2009) Named for its distinctive black and white striped pattern, this butterfly can be attracted to lawns by paw paw, spice bush or tulip tree.River Otters Showcase Their Swimming Prowress(3/15/2010) These large aquatic mammals were nearly extinct in Missouri until their population rebounded following restoration efforts in the 1980s and 1990s.Red-winged Blackbirds(3/11/2009) The bird is thought to be the most abundant in North American and is common in Missouri.Bald Eagles Share Incubation Duties(2/22/2010) This majestic symbol of national pride is more likely to be spotted this time of year, especially near water.
