The Kirtland’s warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) is one of the rarest warblers in the wood warbler family. The bird’s only known nesting places are in small spots of the northern lower peninsula and upper peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario. It wasn’t until 1996 that they found nests anywhere other than 60 miles from Oscoda County in rural Northern Michigan (and very few still). Kirtland’s warblers nest only in the low, ground level branches of young jack pine trees, between 5 and 15 feet tall. Once the trees mature to above this height, the lower branches die, along with their sheltered nesting spots. It’s ironic that the embrace of Smokey’s “Only You” initiative in fire prevention may lend to the eventual end of the Kirtland’s warbler without proper management. No fire means no natural rotation of trees, no new young jack pines.
Lesser Long-Nosed Bats
Although Organ Pipe Cactus has its share of insect-eating bats, it is the nectar-eating bats that are the true heroes of the night sky and the Sonoran Desert. They are the primary night pollinators of the saguaro and organ pipe cactus, which makes them very valuable to the Sonoran Desert Ecosystem.When the night-blooming saguaro and organ pipe flowers first open, they emit a sweet, musky perfume. The bats seek out the source of this highly attractive odor. They poke their long noses deep into the tubular cactus flower reaching for the sweet nectar. Their long tongues lick up the syrup. When the bats emerge from the flowers, their heads are covered with pollen. As these feeding bats fly from flower to flower, they also pollinate the flowers. After the bats have their fill, they often seek a night roost, a place where they can rest, digest their meal and groom themselves. Throughout the night, the bats will leave these night roosting spots to feed again and again, often returning to the colony to check up on their "pups."
Eagle Owl
The Bubo-Bubo in slow motion.
...And I'm Back
I spent last week in Salt Lake City at Outdoor Retailer (photos and words to come), and from Utah, I went to New Jersey/Pennsylvania for a three day canoeing adventure down the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (photos and words also to come). I have brown skin, a Chaco tan like you wouldn't believe and a black pinky toe on my right foot that I have no recollection of breaking.One of the most exciting parts of the canoe trip - which doubled as a bachelor party for a guy who used to, way back, write a post here and there for Cold Splinters - was watching bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) fly over our heads while sipping on warm beer. While the one pictured above hails from Alaska, there are quite a few living on the Delaware River, and when you don't see them that often, it's hard to remember that they're real and not unicorns. That is one hell of an animal to see on the trail. MP3: Red Shadow Singers - Eagle Song **
NO-SEE-UMS
Ceratopogonidae, or biting midges (including what are called, in the United States, no-see-ums, midgies, sand flies, punks, and others), are a family of small flies (1–4 mm long) in the order Diptera. They are closely related to the Chironomidae, Simuliidae (or black flies), and Thaumaleidae.What a horrible, little pest of a fly. I've never felt rage for another living thing like I did for the no-see-ums on Cape Sable in Everglades National Park.
Lampyridae
The next time you're treated to a firefly/lightning bug show this summer, impress/bore the two gals/guys who are sharing your campsite with a little bit of science/common knowledge....
Fireflies are actually beetles who are nocturnal members of the family Lampyridae. There are about 2,000 firefly species who live in a variety of warm environments. Fireflies love moisture and often live in humid regions of Asia and the Americas, and in drier areas, they are found around wet or damp areas that retain moisture.Fireflies have dedicated light organs that are located under their abdomens. They take in oxygen and, inside special cells, combine it with a substance called luciferin to produce light with almost no heat. (Say it a few times so you won't forget it. Luciferin. Luciferin.)Firefly light is usually intermittent, and flashes in patterns that are unique to each species. Each blinking pattern is an optical signal that helps fireflies find potential mates. Scientists are not sure how the insects regulate this process to turn their lights on and off.And there you have it. Bring a jar and go the movies.MP3: Dolly Parton - Fire That Keeps You Warm