Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
The Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) is a species of open areas – the tundra, grasslands, fields, beaches and dunes and even the desert. Unsurprisingly they feed on the ground on insects and seeds and often take advantage of human activity disturbing areas such as mowed airports or piles of plowed earth or snow that expose more food. When it comes to the winter you will find them wherever it is the most bare. You can frequently spot them with Snow Buntings and, more rarely, the Lapland Longspur. They are also another species decreasing across much of their range and are listed as...
Read MoreApex predator or small meal?
When looking at a “teenage” Timber Rattlesnake from above like this it seems rather insignificant and certainly unimposing. We know it is a venomous snake, which may add a bit of intimidation, but we should also know it is shy, passive and uninterested in harming a human unless it is being directly threatened. At this time of year there are much smaller Timber Rattlesnakes – some less than a foot long – in the form of neonates. These newly-born young have fangs and venom but a significant percentage will perish in their first year from a variety of threats. Twan...
Read MoreNice doggy? Horseshoe Crab
Milhouse Monday? He may have said “Nice doggy” but if he had his glasses he’d have said Horseshoe Crab! The Simpsons did a great job illustrating this prehistoric creature, one of the most unique and important coastal species we have. This is especially true around Delaware Bay where the eggs of the living fossil provide food for Red Knots, sustaining the shorebird’s global population.
Read MoreCommon Tern diving
Take a look at these shots by Sean of a Common Tern in a dive before smashing into the water to grab at prey – spectacular!
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