Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
You have to love the beautiful colors on the feathers of this Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), one of the most encouraging and uplifting signs of spring here in the middle of winter. The bright sunlight lit up this glossy iridescence at just the right angle for me. This February bird was with several others of its species looking for snacks on and pausing in this oak tree. They were all chattering away, as always. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreFebruary Arrives
The transition from January into February is usually one without many colors, though this sunset on the final night of January was spectacular over the water. The pink glow from the sun below the horizon makes me think of everything from Valentine’s Day to the Northern Cardinal males beginning to sing in our yards on the warm and sunny days as they stake out their territories and sound out for mates, if they do not already have one. The same shade reminds me of the House Finch males that have also been calling out their cheery melodies frequently as of late. This January seemed to move...
Read MoreCrazy Climate Maps
One benefit of the continual and seemingly never-ending cold and snowy winter (also known as spring now!) is that it provides us a tremendous opportunity to engage and educate people. The topic of our weather invariably comes up in every day life, especially now, and when someone complains about their heating bill or their aching back (thanks, shoveling!) you can mention to them that all of this may likely be due to our changing climate. The above graphic shows our globe and the general temperature percentile categories for meteorological winter, December through February, via NOAA’s...
Read MoreRecord Shattering Cold & Historic Snow
To be entirely honest I meant to write this blog entry a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I have been busy during that time with meetings, gearing up for spring and summer projects, surveying, and much more. Nevertheless, I could not get myself too excited to write about the unbelievably and astonishingly historic cold we have had this winter, especially in February, or the feet of snow dumped on the region, rewriting more records for some locations. After feeling the first signs of spring in the past week I feel renewed, ready for the thaw and once again energized about our weather and climate....
Read MoreLove in the Air
When I first saw these birds I noticed that the American Wigeon male and female seemed to be a pair, staying close together and calmly swimming in the water. Ducks are pairing off now, if they have not already, and breeding season is not far away. However, I also saw another male following them, and I swear he had a bit of a lonely look to him. Even in this photo you can see his somewhat sad demeanor. I hope I am simply imagining it! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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