tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339853802024-03-05T03:59:57.158-07:00The Birds and the Bearswlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-76976173833538424572016-06-17T08:15:00.000-06:002016-06-17T08:15:09.366-06:00Grizzly Highway Encounter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpf42-n1PHM/V1Qxc_KImOI/AAAAAAAAIr4/PacBrGXbWOwFNmEW8y7c8RjO4RhmgBXxgCK4B/s1600/1I7A2241.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpf42-n1PHM/V1Qxc_KImOI/AAAAAAAAIr4/PacBrGXbWOwFNmEW8y7c8RjO4RhmgBXxgCK4B/s640/1I7A2241.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Driving back from Windermere we spotted an adult grizzly walking along a path in the forest beside the highway. We slowed to a stop and watched as the bear continued down the path. We followed slowly on the shoulder and then stopped when the bear emerged from the forest and started to walk in the ditch. The bear disappeared from my view in the driver's seat but was still visible by Karen in the passenger seat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Karen, I can't see the bear anymore."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Dad, the bear is right next to us." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A moment later the bear walked out of the ditch in front of the car, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nonchalantly ambled across the two-lane highway,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">started to browse the dandelions by the roadside, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">then continued to walk in the grass by the opposite side of the road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We decided not to let the puppy out for a pee. </span><br />
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-34589246439082199632016-06-10T17:30:00.000-06:002016-06-10T17:30:13.661-06:00Hummingbird Nest <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Hummingbird Nest</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHUxwbkxIh8/Vz23VGOiybI/AAAAAAAAIqk/TW7kQ_emc2UAdfnit_sULFNvAdoAkwnLQCLcB/s1600/1I7A1530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHUxwbkxIh8/Vz23VGOiybI/AAAAAAAAIqk/TW7kQ_emc2UAdfnit_sULFNvAdoAkwnLQCLcB/s640/1I7A1530.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found a hummingbird nest on my front porch a few weeks ago!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Likely the nest blew out of a nearby tree. The two closest trees are a cypress and a crabapple. The cypress was only four meters away. The crabapple was about 8 meters away. Likely the nest was in the cypress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most common hummingbird in my garden is the Rufous but Ruby-throated and Calliope hummingbirds also visit. For several years I have regularly heard and seen the typical territorial display of the Rufous Hummingbird, which might imply these hummers nest in my yard. I do not see displays of the Ruby-throated or Calliope Hummingbirds. Based on prevalence, likely the nest was built by a Rufous Hummingbird. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The nest is made mostly of grass but there are some small wood chips or bark, and down is evident both on the inside and outside of the cup. The down is likely willow-seed from the Black-bud Willows in the garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All three species use plant material bound with spiders' webs, are lined with down, and the outside is usually covered with flakes of lichens. Lichen is not common in my garden but is available in the forests down by the Elbow River. There was no evidence of lichen on the outside of the nest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ruby-throated nests are described with a thick lining of down and the nest is bound smoothly and tightly with spiders' webs. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Calliope nests are also thickly-lined with down. The nest in the photo was not thickly lined with down and was not tightly bound or smooth. Perhaps the nest was under construction when the wind intervened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The dimensions of the nest (inches) and the reported dimensions of nests for the three hummers who visit my garden are shown in the table below.</span><br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 363px;">
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<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 4160; mso-width-source: userset; width: 130pt;" width="130"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1920; mso-width-source: userset; width: 60pt;" width="60"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1952; mso-width-source: userset; width: 61pt;" width="61"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1824; mso-width-source: userset; width: 57pt;" width="57"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1760; mso-width-source: userset; width: 55pt;" width="55"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height: 17.0pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 17.0pt; width: 130pt;" width="130"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 60pt;" width="60"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Diameter</span></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 61pt;" width="61"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 57pt;" width="57"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Height </span></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 55pt;" width="55"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 17.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 17.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Outside</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inside</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Outside </span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inside </span></td>
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<tr height="17" style="height: 17.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 17.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 17.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Nest in
photo </b></span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1½</b></span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1</b></span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> ¾</b></span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>¾</b></span></td>
</tr>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 17.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 17.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rufous </span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ⅞</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1½</span></td>
</tr>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 17.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ruby-throated </span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 - 1¾</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">¾ - 1</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ¾</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1½</span></td>
</tr>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 17.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Calliope</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1½ - 1¾</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1⅛-1⅞</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ⅞</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">⅞</span></td>
</tr>
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</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Reference</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baicich PJ and Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP, Princeton, New Jersey, 2005.</span><br />
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-39364258970503621862016-06-03T06:35:00.000-06:002016-06-03T06:35:02.768-06:00Spruce Grouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spruce Grouse - Falcipennis canadensis</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The boreal forest is the preferred habitat for the Spruce Grouse. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilDv9rPLm-U/VpJuhuGQz9I/AAAAAAAAIVs/VndmKWtlEC8/s1600/Mount%2BEngadine%2BLodge%2BSept%2B10-11%252C%2B2006%2B072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilDv9rPLm-U/VpJuhuGQz9I/AAAAAAAAIVs/VndmKWtlEC8/s640/Mount%2BEngadine%2BLodge%2BSept%2B10-11%252C%2B2006%2B072.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These birds are common in closed (dense forest canopy) conifer forests. The birds are often solitary and unusually tame for a wild species.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwTjl42X0Zk/VpUBJ2N2jjI/AAAAAAAAIXw/Do-iFp1jCsc/s1600/Shadow%2BLake%2BSeptember%2B2006%2B100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwTjl42X0Zk/VpUBJ2N2jjI/AAAAAAAAIXw/Do-iFp1jCsc/s640/Shadow%2BLake%2BSeptember%2B2006%2B100.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Reference</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.</span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-70604945006876793062016-05-27T06:25:00.000-06:002016-05-27T06:25:00.149-06:00Hoary Marmot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hoary Marmot - Marmota caligata</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The name, "hoary," refers to the "mantle" of white hairs over the shoulders. These mammals are the largest marmot in Canada.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZW-Bkiq7wk/VpZQJoMDDXI/AAAAAAAAIZY/LCl_1ts0nAk/s1600/a006_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZW-Bkiq7wk/VpZQJoMDDXI/AAAAAAAAIZY/LCl_1ts0nAk/s640/a006_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hoary Marmots are colonial and live together in burrows where they share food. They often sun themselves in shallow depressions on rocks close to their burrow. They vocalize a loud, high-pitched alarm whistle when a predator is recognized.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMGaPMZAVZA/VpZQJkseXjI/AAAAAAAAIZc/Lat-qHNRDo0/s1600/a008_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMGaPMZAVZA/VpZQJkseXjI/AAAAAAAAIZc/Lat-qHNRDo0/s640/a008_8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Predators include Coyote, Wolf, Grizzly Bear, Red Fox, and Golden Eagle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reference</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Naughton, Donna. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. University of Toronto Press. 2012. </span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-19352205000030706452016-05-20T08:31:00.000-06:002016-05-20T08:31:07.361-06:00Mule Deer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mule Deer - Odocoileus hemionus</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The larger ears and the black tip to the tail are two common clues that distinguish a Mule Deer from the more common White-tailed Deer. Both species live in the area where I hike. The hoof prints and the scat are similar.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3drlDMleTQ/UfbfoVwq5KI/AAAAAAAAFFE/kdZEbWsKRGo/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3drlDMleTQ/UfbfoVwq5KI/AAAAAAAAFFE/kdZEbWsKRGo/s640/IMG_8124.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>References</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Gadd Ben. Handbook of the Canadian Rockies. Corax Press. Jasper, Alberta. 1986.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Naughton Donna. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. U of Toronto Press. 2012.</span></span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-86585976180600434412016-05-13T07:39:00.001-06:002016-05-13T07:39:00.594-06:00Muskrat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Muskrat - Ondatra zibethicus</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muskrats are the largest and the most aquatic of the voles in North America. These rodents are not closely related to the beaver, although both mammals have evolved similar physical and behavioural adaptations to their shared environment.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmraNULTwC0/VwkF2rY57XI/AAAAAAAAIog/5Zfac-krysICQ1cvmaTnCVUjaz0_XLAOw/s1600/_MG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CmraNULTwC0/VwkF2rY57XI/AAAAAAAAIog/5Zfac-krysICQ1cvmaTnCVUjaz0_XLAOw/s640/_MG_1356.JPG" width="606" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muskrats do not hibernate. The photo above shows a muscat feeding on the ice at the side of a slough (runoff pond) close to the Elbow River.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muskrats usually feed within 60 meters of their burrow, which allows a high population density in an optimal environment. The population cycles with peaks every eight to ten years. Mink are common predators and the population of this carnivore tends to track that of the Muskrat.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0VzIElit1w/Vyi0AnQrqlI/AAAAAAAAIpk/hA-YCy9BgvMsnc9g8IaO0rWo5rZRyLyQQCLcB/s1600/IMG_7612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0VzIElit1w/Vyi0AnQrqlI/AAAAAAAAIpk/hA-YCy9BgvMsnc9g8IaO0rWo5rZRyLyQQCLcB/s640/IMG_7612.JPG" width="473" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The skull bones in the photos are likely muskrat. I found the bones in the grass about 20 meters from a runoff pond below my home. The muskrat was likely attacked by a predator either while swimming or while grooming or eating by the edge of the pond. The predator likely carried the muskrat into the tall grass to eat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pond is home to muskrats. The average litter ranges from 5 to 9 kits. In the fall of 2008 I counted 9 muskrats in the pond at one time. The large number was likely the result of a successful spring litter. Since then I have never seen more than two at a time. Common local predators include coyote, domestic dog, bobcat, mink, larger raptors, and man. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reference</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naughton, Donna. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. U of Toronto Press. 2012. </span><br />
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-68326318957956588592016-05-06T07:21:00.000-06:002016-05-06T07:21:00.154-06:00Black-capped Chickadee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapilla</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBAeNktbZDk/UTzx4f99LgI/AAAAAAAADwg/mIX-koGRfw4/s1600/IMG_4846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBAeNktbZDk/UTzx4f99LgI/AAAAAAAADwg/mIX-koGRfw4/s640/IMG_4846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Specialized leg muscles enable these birds to feed upside down while hanging from a perch. They are adept at exploiting resources in difficult situations. Food is stored in caches and used during the winter when resources are meager. During very cold winter days chickadees are able to lower their body temperature (regulated hypothermia) from 42 C to 30 C to conserve energy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chickadees will pester predators (mobbing behaviour) that are in their territory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In autumn the new chickadees leave their parents and join a flock with which they will overwinter. These chickadees will mate the next spring with a member of the flock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The nest is often a cavity in rotten wood. In my neighborhood, the chickadees favor creating cavities in the exterior of a home. They choose a location under the eaves where they excavate into the soffit where the siding meets the roofline.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">References</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1. The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2007.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2. Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP. 2005.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3. Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, Inc. New York. 2001.</span></span><br />
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-4928910540120243392016-04-29T07:28:00.000-06:002016-04-29T07:28:00.259-06:00House Finch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">House Finches winter in Calgary and are less common during the spring and summer. Purple Finches are usually not present during the winter and return in the spring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The two species can be difficult to differentiate. The finch below was near the top of a tall spruce tree and without my binoculars I was not able to identify the bird. Fortunately I had my camera and the identification was straightforward once I viewed the image on my computer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4Rpg6PAEgU/VvPnNNVS2jI/AAAAAAAAIl4/H-Go6QSyB-UQx-n_ATNoZtO8D29p--GaQ/s1600/IMG_7556.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="531" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4Rpg6PAEgU/VvPnNNVS2jI/AAAAAAAAIl4/H-Go6QSyB-UQx-n_ATNoZtO8D29p--GaQ/s640/IMG_7556.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The finch on the spruce branch above is a House Finch,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The red colouration in a House Finch is brightest on the forehead and over the cheeks (malar area). In a Purple Finch the entire head is red. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The upper beak in a House Finch is curved. In a Purple Finch the beak is straighter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tail in a House Finch is longer than the tail in a Purple Finch. In flight, the tail notch in a Purple Finch is more distinct. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>References</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred Knopf, New York. 2000.</span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-66164230656241357892016-04-22T13:09:00.000-06:002016-04-22T13:09:00.149-06:00Tracking Beaver<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Canadian Beaver - Castor canadensis</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Canadian Beaver is the second largest rodent in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good beaver tracks are uncommon because the prints are usually wiped out by either the heavy flat tail or by the tree trunks and branches that the animal drags to the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The beaver has five toes on the front and hind feet but only three or four usually register. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The impressions of the large broad nails are visible in the left hind print in the photo below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The quarter-inch incisors of a beaver can cut down a five-inch willow in three minutes! Beavers strip the bark to access the nutritious inner cambium layer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The protective wire placed around this aspen was not much of a deterrent for a hungry beaver.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--l22jkO0I7w/VvR4ZW-4t8I/AAAAAAAAImE/5gJ9XKRErKAsvGVj6bI8e_fywXeBwd66Q/s1600/IMG_7564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--l22jkO0I7w/VvR4ZW-4t8I/AAAAAAAAImE/5gJ9XKRErKAsvGVj6bI8e_fywXeBwd66Q/s640/IMG_7564.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The photo below shows the stumps of numerous aspen cut down last year and dragged into the water for use during construction of a lodge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NsN9ZcNa5o/VvR5btNotRI/AAAAAAAAImU/6e4LATANKj865bxAUot8s8tqrddlfTZ_Q/s1600/IMG_7566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NsN9ZcNa5o/VvR5btNotRI/AAAAAAAAImU/6e4LATANKj865bxAUot8s8tqrddlfTZ_Q/s640/IMG_7566.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-csTceprKkWQ/VvWxhcUX13I/AAAAAAAAIm4/UgVK49QHgmAU6BEoYjqu0r4Y2lIW1ju-A/s1600/IMG_7581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-csTceprKkWQ/VvWxhcUX13I/AAAAAAAAIm4/UgVK49QHgmAU6BEoYjqu0r4Y2lIW1ju-A/s640/IMG_7581.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once a beaver starts to cut down trees in a grove, these natural engineers tow the trunks and branches to the water over the same trail. This technique clears the pathway and forms channels with progressively lower resistance to drag, and makes the process faster and more energy efficient. The photo below shows a drag channel over the shore and a typical notch at the edge of the water.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBDY1xwPQzU/VvR5hR7m5TI/AAAAAAAAImY/hv_k69E6qpwn10UgM_b1pryy3hvNt9KCA/s1600/IMG_7570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBDY1xwPQzU/VvR5hR7m5TI/AAAAAAAAImY/hv_k69E6qpwn10UgM_b1pryy3hvNt9KCA/s640/IMG_7570.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NL9RHGOOQhQ/VvR6804edhI/AAAAAAAAImo/pmGa7zyPNrUb44lF6rQctSfBKgUF8A2SQ/s1600/IMG_6241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NL9RHGOOQhQ/VvR6804edhI/AAAAAAAAImo/pmGa7zyPNrUb44lF6rQctSfBKgUF8A2SQ/s640/IMG_6241.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>References</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naughton D. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. UofT Press. 2012. <br />Rezendes P. Tracking and the Art of Seeing. How to Read Animal Tracks and Signs. Firefly Books Ltd. Willowdale, Ontario. 1999.</span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-86692377609390809612016-04-17T07:50:00.000-06:002016-04-17T09:34:57.030-06:00Tracking Meadow Voles # 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the snow disappeared from the garden in my front yard, the bark at the bottom of my columnar crab apple tree was chewed off. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zP5iIhycDc/VvfgJ1kFLJI/AAAAAAAAInM/EJ1X0lH2_lQYjevRtnaW8ZDujUaRbJoOw/s1600/1I7A1466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zP5iIhycDc/VvfgJ1kFLJI/AAAAAAAAInM/EJ1X0lH2_lQYjevRtnaW8ZDujUaRbJoOw/s640/1I7A1466.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The crab tree is located in designated garden area that is only a few meters from the driveway of my neighbour. You can see the pebbled pavement in the lower left of the photo above. My neighbour shovels his driveway and he throws the snow up on my lawn. Over this last winter, the snow was piled up about four to five feet high in this area. Moles choose to nest under deeper piles of snow. The grass above is filled with typical Meadow Vole runways through the grass and burrows.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxW7gKNV0Bs/VvfhvDgE09I/AAAAAAAAInU/t5KxA4DzHbEIaga5vaUJ6I20ihORqJz6Q/s1600/1I7A1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxW7gKNV0Bs/VvfhvDgE09I/AAAAAAAAInU/t5KxA4DzHbEIaga5vaUJ6I20ihORqJz6Q/s640/1I7A1469.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A close up of the gnawed area shows tiny grooves that fit with the size of Meadow Vole incisors. Tiny chips of orange bark are strewn on the ground at the base. The vole chewed through the bark to reach the nutritious rich inner cambium layer. This layer of undifferentiated cells produces the bark.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHU9EZWJs34/VvfiPORFAAI/AAAAAAAAInY/rNGUiBGsMX8kZ0kbOcNduMJ9n18IaTnjw/s1600/1I7A1470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHU9EZWJs34/VvfiPORFAAI/AAAAAAAAInY/rNGUiBGsMX8kZ0kbOcNduMJ9n18IaTnjw/s640/1I7A1470.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meadow Vole scat was piled around the base of the tree. There is enough scat in the photo above to confirm that the tree offered many meals for the animal.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eaVEWnRTj4o/Vvfim7NVHPI/AAAAAAAAInc/ihL7y3hKZC8vUOZYfEpbXm6H-ja1dUVaw/s1600/1I7A1471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eaVEWnRTj4o/Vvfim7NVHPI/AAAAAAAAInc/ihL7y3hKZC8vUOZYfEpbXm6H-ja1dUVaw/s640/1I7A1471.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was another pile of scat on the other side of the tree. This scat has a slightly darker and different colour. Perhaps this poop was from a second vole with a slightly different diet. Another possibility is that the scat was formed by the same vole but during a time when the diet of this vole was otherwise different? Or perhaps this vole ate and digested more of the outer bark? </span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-59921970985756317792016-04-10T08:23:00.000-06:002016-04-10T08:23:00.138-06:00Prairie Crocus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Prairie Crocus - Anemone patens</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Prairie Crocus is one of the earliest spring flowers. The flowers are prominent on southern exposed slopes. When the snow melt is delayed, the flowers can spring up through thin layers of snow or they appear within days after the snow disappears.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The ants in the photo above are likely attracted to calorie-rich nectar produced by specialised glands (</span>nectaries<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">). Ants are not efficient cross-pollinators. A protective chemical (antibiotic) produced by ants can inactivate pollen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The silky white hairs that envelope the stems and the leaves are visible under the lowermost flower in the photo above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anemone is from the Greek "anemos," which means the wind. These flowers propagate well in windy habitat. The fruit of the flower (achenes) develop attached to a long</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> feathery tail, that helps with wind dispersal.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">References</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cotter GW & Flygare H. Wildflowers of the Canadian Rockies. Hurtig Publishers. Edmonton. 1986. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phillips HW. Northern Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. Falcon Publishing. USA. 2001.</span><br />
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-16779158781535730342016-04-08T06:38:00.000-06:002016-04-08T06:38:00.149-06:00Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel - Spermophilus tridecemlineatus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The cheek pouches of this Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel are filled with the husked sunflower seeds I put out for the birds who prefer feeding on the ground. The seeds regularly attract red and black squirrels, chipmunks, and meadow voles. For several years, a Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel has been a regular visitor. The squirrel turned up on April 2nd this year. The same day I found a hole at the base of the fence between my property and the meadow behind my home. I suspect the three inch diameter hole is the entrance to a burrow and winter nest for the squirrel. These squirrels emerge from winter hibernation in April, so the timing fits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels are solitary apart from during breeding season in early spring. In Canada the squirrels emerge from hibernation in spring and they disappear back to the nest in late summer. A home range is usually about two or three acres.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The sunflower seeds this squirrel scavenges over the spring and summer will help sustain the animal over the winter. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">References</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">1. Naughton, Donna. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. University of Toronto Press. 2012.</span></div>
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-77533424252584057682016-04-01T07:29:00.000-06:002016-04-05T10:00:24.754-06:00Translucent Yellow Gelatinous Organic Mass in Elbow River<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last November I photographed this translucent yellow gelatinous organic mass on the floor of a shallow portion of the Elbow River. I walk by this location several times a week and the mass seemed to suddenly appear. The mass was several feet high.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Several days later the mass had deflated and was lying on the floor of the river. This implies the interior of the mass was filled with a gas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The growth was located in a section of the Elbow River that is shallow and located between the mainland and a gravel bar about about 8 to 10 meters offshore. Until the flood in June 2013, the gravel bar was an island with a beaver lodge. The flood deposited enough dirt and gravel to connect the west end of the island to the mainland. This created a shallow blind inlet at the eastern end of the island. Since the river flows from west to east, the water movement in this newly created inlet is slow. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The growth was close to the sun exposed southern shore of the river. Since the river is shallow, the temperature of the water in this location is higher. Slow water movement and a higher temperature likely favoured the growth of this organic mass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By mid-March the snow had melted on this portion of the Elbow. Over the intervening four winter months the mass totally disappeared.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spent research time on the Internet but was not able to identify the cause of the growth. Since the Elbow River provides the water supply for Calgary, I wondered about the toxic potential for this unusual growth. I sent the above photos to a provincial water expert to request assistance to identify the organic growth. I received a reply but no answers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will monitor the location this year to see if the mass redevelops. </span><br />
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-72662432143794689812016-03-25T17:57:00.000-06:002016-03-25T17:57:00.180-06:00Tracking Meadow Voles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Meadow Vole - Microtus pennsylvanicus</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meadow Voles have the largest range of any North American vole and can be found in every province and in the Arctic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meadow voles do not hibernate and are active all year round.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photo below shows the bounding gait of a Meadow Vole in the snow. The tail is responsible for the center line between the prints. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Winter nests are usually created in grassy areas on the ground and under a layer of snow. Burrows are connected to grassy runways which allow the vole access to feeding sites.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photo below shows a snow tunnel created by a vole on an ice surface over a shallow portion of the Elbow River. The tunnel started by the land edge where tussocks of marsh grass served as the burrow. The vole likely abandoned this runway when continued ice implied that a feeding site was not close.</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ElcB55-GFc/VuazWg-sIKI/AAAAAAAAIkk/0-46JtYALTk72P-tBsbM2VpByX_l5gZ1w/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ElcB55-GFc/VuazWg-sIKI/AAAAAAAAIkk/0-46JtYALTk72P-tBsbM2VpByX_l5gZ1w/s640/IMG_2107.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Below is a photo of a typical Meadow Vole runway through yard grass. The runways were created during the winter under the snow and are conspicuous once the snow melts in the spring.</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssiAq-RNAhg/Vuazca06S0I/AAAAAAAAIks/yx-XAiK-_jAnFZGL4nwUVQvUEUVkg-u-Q/s1600/1I7A1464.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssiAq-RNAhg/Vuazca06S0I/AAAAAAAAIks/yx-XAiK-_jAnFZGL4nwUVQvUEUVkg-u-Q/s400/1I7A1464.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the photo below, the runway from the upper left leads to a nesting area towards the right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summer nests are similarly built as</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> shallow burrows, often under debris, and are connected to a network of runways through the grass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Breeding starts in early spring while the burrows are still covered in snow and continues until autumn. Females are sexually mature as early as 25 days of age. Gestation last 21 days. The average litter is 4 to 6 infant voles. There are two to four litters a year in the wild. In captivity a female who mates immediately after every litter might give birth up to 17 times a year. Theoretically, w</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ith enough food and without any predation, illness, or injury, a pair of Meadow Voles</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> could produce a million descendants in one year!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Reference</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naughton D. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. University of Toronto Press. 2012. </span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-21061574375410697152016-03-18T06:57:00.000-06:002016-03-18T06:57:00.836-06:00Sun on Ice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-20380091145957273962016-03-11T06:47:00.000-07:002016-03-11T06:47:01.015-07:00River Reflections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-59849801586827586152016-03-04T06:17:00.000-07:002016-03-04T06:17:10.318-07:00Tracking Canada Geese<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Canada Geese - Branta canadensis</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Elbow River is a winter home to these hardy birds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are goose tracks in the snow by the side of the Elbow River. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xf1TCHm67gQ/VriUCpXjDcI/AAAAAAAAIa0/spg-fOpn-3E/s1600/IMG_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xf1TCHm67gQ/VriUCpXjDcI/AAAAAAAAIa0/spg-fOpn-3E/s400/IMG_0207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Geese are prolific poopers. The photo below shows a small collection of the typical cylindrical poops.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lESlvL6EZY/VriUdMjxLdI/AAAAAAAAIa4/zE_G8WWt69A/s1600/IMG_0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lESlvL6EZY/VriUdMjxLdI/AAAAAAAAIa4/zE_G8WWt69A/s400/IMG_0209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The geese frequent the side of the river but often prefer to congregate on small islands (gravel bars), which offer better security.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGSNQx66ZlI/VriU0r-sfLI/AAAAAAAAIbA/84UB6LuLi98/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGSNQx66ZlI/VriU0r-sfLI/AAAAAAAAIbA/84UB6LuLi98/s640/IMG_0202.JPG" width="508" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>References</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 2000. </span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-72052862406982672912016-02-26T10:16:00.000-07:002016-02-26T10:16:06.090-07:00American Dipper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dippers are a winter visitor to the Elbow River behind my home. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After breeding season, the birds often migrate north and to higher elevations to find and feed on aquatic invertebrates. They will winter in locations where the water remains ice-free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These aquatic birds feed on insects, insect larvae, invertebrates, small fish, and fish eggs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dippers can walk and feed underwater. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Young dippers can dive and swim before they can fly. The </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oxygen capacity of the blood in a dipper is higher than non-aquatic songbirds, which allows them to remain submerged for up to 30 seconds while foraging. Dippers have up to twice as many contour feathers compared to songbirds of a similar size and a thick coat of down. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These birds need to preen for longer than average to maintain the waterproof and insulation properties of their feathers. The iris sphincter muscles in a dipper are adapted to change the curvature of the lens to facilitate vision both above and below water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The dipper has a loud ringing song that can be heard over the low-frequency background noise of streams and waterfalls. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-k1zPU_DPc/VsR9JqFYpLI/AAAAAAAAIbc/I1fi3-ns08o/s1600/IMG_2793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-k1zPU_DPc/VsR9JqFYpLI/AAAAAAAAIbc/I1fi3-ns08o/s640/IMG_2793.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The photo above shows the white-feathered eyelids of the dipper. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>References</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Baircich PJ & Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton UP, New Jersey. 2005.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Alfred A Knopf, New York. 2001.</span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-58884297612338337462016-02-19T06:59:00.000-07:002016-02-19T06:59:12.864-07:00Three-toed Woodpecker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Three-toed Woodpecker - Picoides tridactylus</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These woodpeckers lack inner rear toes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The stocky short bill is adapted to flake off bark rather than to excavate the wood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The hole in the tree below is the start of a nesting cavity. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ls7cGLoONJk/VpZPX5TXHQI/AAAAAAAAIZI/QQm5aPyG7i0/s1600/a012_12-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ls7cGLoONJk/VpZPX5TXHQI/AAAAAAAAIZI/QQm5aPyG7i0/s640/a012_12-6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Reference</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sibley David A. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 2000.</span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-65064823318114040282016-02-12T05:39:00.000-07:002016-02-12T05:39:03.729-07:00Pileated Woodpecker Holes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest woodpecker in North America.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a search for insects, usually ants, the Pileated Woodpecker excavates large often rectangular holes in trees. The larger stout beak chisels off big chunks of wood. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The holes are usually in living wood and are often within a few feet of the ground.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaE9PaeWU8U/VpUBVqvbFfI/AAAAAAAAIX4/EY1KBSMY9kw/s1600/Mount%2BAssiniboine%2BJuly%2B2004%2B009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaE9PaeWU8U/VpUBVqvbFfI/AAAAAAAAIX4/EY1KBSMY9kw/s320/Mount%2BAssiniboine%2BJuly%2B2004%2B009.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The holes in the photo below created a "face" with two eyes and a mouth. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ91r2BAeiU/VpUBZlDQL9I/AAAAAAAAIYA/iyeXv3l-iKU/s1600/a008_8-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ91r2BAeiU/VpUBZlDQL9I/AAAAAAAAIYA/iyeXv3l-iKU/s320/a008_8-3.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Reference</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elbroch M and Marks E. Bird Tracks and Sign. Stackpole Books. PA. 2001. </span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-34199625303882309252016-02-05T06:50:00.000-07:002016-02-05T06:50:03.791-07:00Tracking Bobcat <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bobcat - Lynx rufus </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The track below shows both the larger front foot and the hind foot. The front feet are larger and have five toes but only four register. The fifth is higher up and only used with climbing. The hind feet have only four toes. The nails are usually retracted but the photo shows a possible claw print on the third toe of the front foot. Claws are not usually seen with ordinary walking but might be deployed with running depending on the terrain. The tracks below were not from a running Bobcat and a nail print is unexpected. The rear margin of the front and hind palm pads is trilobed. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2-o26xdGxI/VkSVFuP9gjI/AAAAAAAAIFs/2UtbEJQ0zgA/s1600/Bobcat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2-o26xdGxI/VkSVFuP9gjI/AAAAAAAAIFs/2UtbEJQ0zgA/s320/Bobcat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Snowshoe hare are the primary prey in this region and I often find the snow tracks of both animals in close proximity. Bobcats are sprinters.They generally do not attack unless they are within 10 meters of the quarry. Unless the prey can be captured within 3 to 18 meters, a Bobcat will usually abandon the hunt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Bobcat tracks below were in deeper snow and illustrate a normal walking gait.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKTt9r3pKSQ/VljWj4gYPgI/AAAAAAAAINw/aijmog11ej4/s1600/1I7A1001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKTt9r3pKSQ/VljWj4gYPgI/AAAAAAAAINw/aijmog11ej4/s320/1I7A1001.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Canada Lynx - Lynx canadensis is a similar species that is slightly larger, with longer ear tufts and a shorter tail with a full black tip. The fur is thicker, especially on the feet, adaptations that make sense for the more northern and mountainous range. I found the Lynx paw below during a hike around Banff. There were no other remains nearby. I presume that the paw was discarded from a Lynx that was trapped and killed for the pelt. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GvVxqO8X530/VpUBkZBusPI/AAAAAAAAIYI/6HQZ-K3yTxQ/s1600/a020_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GvVxqO8X530/VpUBkZBusPI/AAAAAAAAIYI/6HQZ-K3yTxQ/s320/a020_20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Bobcat below was in Glenmore Park. Notice the shorter "bobbed" tail, which is the reason for the name. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NPdJeFuRAVU/VkSWeEkISAI/AAAAAAAAIF4/MfShwy6PgKo/s1600/IMG_9536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NPdJeFuRAVU/VkSWeEkISAI/AAAAAAAAIF4/MfShwy6PgKo/s320/IMG_9536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Reference</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Naughton, Donna. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. U of T Press. 2012. </span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-68087425501386874092016-01-30T05:47:00.000-07:002016-01-30T05:47:03.606-07:00Wing Prints in the Snow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Birds that spend time on the ground during winter might leave wing prints in the snow. The snow needs to be an optimal softness and texture to record the imprint. The bird needs to cooperate and sit still with enough wing pressure to make the impression.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photos below shows the wing print and snow burrow of a Gray Partridge.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0grMRc_CqQ/VpT1LOYaVII/AAAAAAAAIXk/NiNcy5ORYkk/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0grMRc_CqQ/VpT1LOYaVII/AAAAAAAAIXk/NiNcy5ORYkk/s640/IMG_0005.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhAQfh3JSUk/VpZIeeCcrrI/AAAAAAAAIYw/9LlcMAEZ4iI/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhAQfh3JSUk/VpZIeeCcrrI/AAAAAAAAIYw/9LlcMAEZ4iI/s640/IMG_0005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photos below were created by Canada Geese resting by the side of the Elbow River.</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g43irisN-Ls/VlI-CJr83hI/AAAAAAAAILM/KE-fEFYXvYk/s1600/1I7A0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g43irisN-Ls/VlI-CJr83hI/AAAAAAAAILM/KE-fEFYXvYk/s640/1I7A0981.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNKlUMftS3Y/VlJM1fhHhdI/AAAAAAAAIL4/yvxtY5LsUhM/s1600/IMG_9090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNKlUMftS3Y/VlJM1fhHhdI/AAAAAAAAIL4/yvxtY5LsUhM/s640/IMG_9090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photo below shows a Northern Goshawk wing print. I came across the raptor on a hiking trail. The hawk was feeding on a small animal with grey fur. The hawk used the talons to pin the animal on the ground and the wings to keep the body stable, while the beak tore away portions of the prey.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgszmhrG4imDotAn1xYuH-3VFtmUgq6UfKLZY0TqoH5qlCraRnaRaSvTW3zWpPFuSUs2Paeh0RnzvLLjvqaldgQy2Cw0lkoY5lP8EP32Y6fWaU8WbOyN0fLOvdIblRtl784KV/s1600/Wingprint+Heart+Creek+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgszmhrG4imDotAn1xYuH-3VFtmUgq6UfKLZY0TqoH5qlCraRnaRaSvTW3zWpPFuSUs2Paeh0RnzvLLjvqaldgQy2Cw0lkoY5lP8EP32Y6fWaU8WbOyN0fLOvdIblRtl784KV/s640/Wingprint+Heart+Creek+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-26553481443598979492016-01-23T07:01:00.000-07:002016-01-23T07:01:03.158-07:00Tracking Moose<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Moose - Alces americanus</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILW3dxdWsQk/VmTBPr1V8XI/AAAAAAAAIRc/fYZNHsSjgsM/s1600/1I7A1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILW3dxdWsQk/VmTBPr1V8XI/AAAAAAAAIRc/fYZNHsSjgsM/s400/1I7A1227.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photo above shows a hoof print in the snow. A typical print usually shows the 3rd and 4th toes. The two dimples behind the hoof are impressions from the dew claws, which are the 2nd and 5th toes, and these are more commonly seen with the front feet, which carry more of the weight of the animal. The photo below shows a more pronounced impression of the dew claws.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rB8dXsB4HBE/VmTBPuhVZzI/AAAAAAAAIRo/8cd-ZQ-aOFI/s1600/1I7A1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rB8dXsB4HBE/VmTBPuhVZzI/AAAAAAAAIRo/8cd-ZQ-aOFI/s640/1I7A1229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rW0h3BCEVY/VpLsqyzVxiI/AAAAAAAAIWU/C0PguBkjMUw/s1600/1I7A1291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rW0h3BCEVY/VpLsqyzVxiI/AAAAAAAAIWU/C0PguBkjMUw/s640/1I7A1291.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photos above and below show Moose prints in the ice along the Elbow River. The river freezes along the shallower sides and creates a smooth, albeit slippery walkway for many forest animals. The photo below is deeper and shows the impression of the dew claws. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GiveRD3rqi4/VpLsygSM07I/AAAAAAAAIWc/LGujqdoQJBo/s1600/1I7A1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GiveRD3rqi4/VpLsygSM07I/AAAAAAAAIWc/LGujqdoQJBo/s640/1I7A1293.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">The photo below shows typical Moose poop. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">This poop is typical of scat produced with the autumn and winter diet. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">The Moose in my region prefer willow and dogwood shoots. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">The poop still has a bit of a sheen and has not dried out, which implies the scat is fairly fresh and likely only a few days old.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iH8-wUCtPo/VjDHRXtmYEI/AAAAAAAAIBE/ormHORQ-Cf8/s1600/1I7A0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iH8-wUCtPo/VjDHRXtmYEI/AAAAAAAAIBE/ormHORQ-Cf8/s640/1I7A0676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The adult male Moose below was photographed browsing for plants in the wallow close to Mount Engadine Lodge. Both male and female Moose urinate in wallows and the scent is important in the autumn mating ritual.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNmOtr7gH98/VpEobOkaLcI/AAAAAAAAIVE/ZDcfWmYPbHU/s1600/Mount%2BEngadine%2BLodge%2BSept%2B10-11%252C%2B2006%2B075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNmOtr7gH98/VpEobOkaLcI/AAAAAAAAIVE/ZDcfWmYPbHU/s640/Mount%2BEngadine%2BLodge%2BSept%2B10-11%252C%2B2006%2B075.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>References</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Naughton, Donna. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. Univ of Toronto Press. 2012. </span><br />
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-86632851101727537562016-01-16T08:04:00.000-07:002016-01-16T08:04:07.247-07:00Tracking Red Squirrels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Red Squirrel - Ecureuil roux</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photo below shows the toe pads and feet of a red squirrel who was standing on a snow-covered log.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5gTghy1g8k/VljWaZozHoI/AAAAAAAAINo/jmlkabfQ8sY/s1600/1I7A0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5gTghy1g8k/VljWaZozHoI/AAAAAAAAINo/jmlkabfQ8sY/s400/1I7A0986.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photo below shows typical tracks of a red squirrel. The smaller front feet (lower tracks in the photo) have four toes. The outer toes point away from the foot and the middle toes point straight ahead. The hind feet (upper tracks) have five toes. The middle three point straight ahead and the inner outside toe points away at a larger angle.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJv0RxCXeFE/Vmxoy3DuPII/AAAAAAAAISg/EZg_l65B5oQ/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJv0RxCXeFE/Vmxoy3DuPII/AAAAAAAAISg/EZg_l65B5oQ/s640/IMG_0062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The evergreen bow and cones below are a <i>nip twig</i> sign that a red squirrel has been feeding in the tree above. The squirrel bites ("nips") the terminal end of the branch, which falls to the ground with the attached cones. On the ground, the cones are easier to retrieve. The ground under this tree was littered with nip twigs. The squirrel nipped off many more cones than the animal ate or took away.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RE83VlE-SDU/Vmxo2uj52JI/AAAAAAAAISo/FjowQKEU43U/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RE83VlE-SDU/Vmxo2uj52JI/AAAAAAAAISo/FjowQKEU43U/s640/IMG_0069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is a photo of a winter den for a Red Squirrel. The den is under a fallen log. The entrances are evident. The cones and the cone debris left over after feeding forms a midden, which is confirmation that a Red Squirrel lives and feeds at this location.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTRyn1-6Hmk/Vlo0ZX_AtqI/AAAAAAAAIPE/gPGacF5aSn4/s1600/1I7A1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bTRyn1-6Hmk/Vlo0ZX_AtqI/AAAAAAAAIPE/gPGacF5aSn4/s640/1I7A1056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Proximal to the winter den in the photo above, there was a cache of cones lying on the ground, stored for future feeding. Red Squirrels create some of the largest cone larders of any squirrel in North America.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUHsil1prFQ/Vlo0YuzvT_I/AAAAAAAAIPA/5sFAYYlxex8/s1600/1I7A1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gUHsil1prFQ/Vlo0YuzvT_I/AAAAAAAAIPA/5sFAYYlxex8/s640/1I7A1058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>References</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Naughton, Donna. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. U of T Press. 2012.</span></div>
wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33985380.post-87614271384918710472016-01-09T12:38:00.000-07:002016-01-11T06:44:08.004-07:00Tracking Snowshoe Hare <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Snowshoe Hare - Lepus americanus - are common in my neighborhood. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At dawn I often see an urban hare hopping down the road after a night of browsing the residential gardens. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many, however continue to live a rural life in the forests behind my home.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VuIcj-0dl0I/VkqK3i3BptI/AAAAAAAAIIw/yTfL3vT5VJI/s1600/Bunny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VuIcj-0dl0I/VkqK3i3BptI/AAAAAAAAIIw/yTfL3vT5VJI/s400/Bunny.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photo above shows the classic print pattern of a larger Snowshoe Hare moving along at a good pace. The larger prints are the hind legs and the smaller prints are the front legs.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7KD3zDPgdJI/VlCWesVBCuI/AAAAAAAAIJc/XQ878CTVOMk/s1600/Bunny1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7KD3zDPgdJI/VlCWesVBCuI/AAAAAAAAIJc/XQ878CTVOMk/s400/Bunny1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photos above and below show a smaller Snowshoe Hare that is moving slower and has put both front paws in the same spot. The photo below shows a good imprint of the four toes in a hind paw.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vswz7nD3168/VljWr33BYSI/AAAAAAAAIN4/XcuouWyIysU/s1600/1I7A0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vswz7nD3168/VljWr33BYSI/AAAAAAAAIN4/XcuouWyIysU/s400/1I7A0997.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photo below shows some Snowshoe Hare poop between the hind legs. The hare stops, poops, moves along, poops again, and so on. I often see long trails of single poops. Hop, Stop, Plop. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y057AR5AhmQ/VlnktzPG-JI/AAAAAAAAIOU/Ew5mj8fnFhs/s1600/1I7A1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y057AR5AhmQ/VlnktzPG-JI/AAAAAAAAIOU/Ew5mj8fnFhs/s640/1I7A1040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The photo below shows more pellets and also the yellow stain and hole created by body temperature urine. There are lots of prints in this location. The hare stopped long enough for a poop and a pee. This location might be a daytime resting location.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAKgjJmvPGg/Vlnkt1Kn4tI/AAAAAAAAIOg/rKL1Pv1nuKA/s1600/1I7A1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAKgjJmvPGg/Vlnkt1Kn4tI/AAAAAAAAIOg/rKL1Pv1nuKA/s640/1I7A1050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77Po5IqZ1gw/VpEolbLvJ7I/AAAAAAAAIVM/BuelS15sgXk/s1600/Three%2BSisters%2BSept%2B1%252C%2B2005%2B005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77Po5IqZ1gw/VpEolbLvJ7I/AAAAAAAAIVM/BuelS15sgXk/s640/Three%2BSisters%2BSept%2B1%252C%2B2005%2B005.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Reference</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Naughton, Donna. The Natural History of Canadian Mammals. University of Toronto Press. 2012.</span></div>
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wlmrobson@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559889587944028424noreply@blogger.com0