A little winter weather

Walking in the woods on a snowy day

Yesterday afternoon we had freezing rain and sleet then sometime during the night the precipitation changed to huge snowflakes. It is still snowing today. 

My dog begged me to take her out. I dug out the winter duds and got wrapped up so we could hike.

At first she loved romping in the drifts. Then she had to stop frequently to get the ice out between her toe pads. She followed in my trail and limped as we made it back to the warmth of home. 

Here is a link to a short winter rap you might like:

http://mdc.mo.gov/node/25397

Ecosystem Interactions

This picture was taken with my IPhone as I walked to the woods behind my house. You can see several interactions on the leaf: spider web attached to the leaf, spider getting food, insect caught in the spider's web, leaf getting sun, smaller insects on the leaf...
What else can be observed?

Fungus causing white-nose syndrome in bats

Fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats proves hardy survivor

Adaptations

Various adaptations allow species to survive in the environment they live, the adaptation or specialized structure gives them the ability to survive. View the pictures for examples of adaptations.

Size -

The Tulip Poplar or yellow poplar is a member of the magnolia family. It is native to Southeast Missouri and often grows to be the tallest of the hardwood trees which is a good thing because the lumber is often used for furniture. interior finish and veneers. This is fast growing tree was planted by my son 18 years ago.

Behavior - Advertising

Collard Lizard

I took the picture of the Eastern Collard Lizard on Stegal Mtn. His behavior is certainly not attracting me.



Behavior - Showy display

Missouri's state tree, the flowering dogwood has showy flowering branches. The leaves don't appear until the flowers fade. This tree has an outstanding showy feature for almost every season; cross-shaped white flowers in spring, gray-green leaves with parallel veins in summer, and scarlet fruit and leaves in fall.The dogwood is an understory tree that likes the shaded parts of the forest.

Behavior - Food gathering


These insects are busy getting the required nutrients from the bright yellow flower. The flower could be used to demonstrate showy behavior with its bright yellow color or advertising behavior with the center portion sitting above the petals.
Coloration - Blended or hidden

This is a picture of a female Eastern Collard Lizard that I also took on Stegal Mtn. on Peck Ranch CA. You must admit it is difficult to see.

I haven't yet found pictures for these categories, maybe next summer I can get pictures.  
Coloration - Mimicry
pattern on a Broad Banded Water Snake so you can see what it resembles
Coloration - Warning
Monarch Butterfly or red milk snake
Shape -
A fish would fit nicely here
Behavior - Nesting
I have several bird nests to get a shot of
Behavior - Warning
an insect's stinger, lots of reptiles but they are mostly things I don't want to get too close for a picture

Ethics and Safety

Neighbors had been talking of strange sightings and we found tracks behind our shed.  We carefully tried to id the track by using a hand for size comparison. Then we took a picture so we could look closely without messing up the track. We finally saw the claw mark at the end of each toe pad and knew we had a canine, not a feline track. Whew, no Mountain Lion! 

I think if most people would check out the evidence before drawing conclusions and overreacting, we could all rest better. 

Ethics can include gathering evidence to substantiate a claim. Safety can be achieved by having knowledge and taking necessary precautions.

A Snapshot of 21st Century Nature Study - Scavenger Hunt

1. Producer - This picture was taken near the edge of a woodland on Peck Ranch Conservation Area. You can see lots of green plants with the sun shining in the background.

2. Consumer - I don't often get to take a picture of a live animal. This little guy had a nut and stopped to look closer so I had time to snap a picture with my I-phone. I was heading to a trail on Chalk Bluff on the Arkansas side of the St. Francis River. It is a cool spot that marks a Civil War Battle. The sides of the hills are white, chalky made of gypsum.

3. Something colorful - I was walking with my dog and searching for things in nature. I noticed lots of movement near the flower beds. I had to get on my knees to see what was it was. Trying to get a shot of this skipper was quite a difficult task. The skipper continually turned away from me. After several attempts, I finally got a picture showing the lovely coloration. You can get an idea of the size of the skipper because the bud looks large. I haven't yet identified the species of skipper. The family description says skippers are fast darting with stout bodies and relatively small wings.

4. Something important in nature - 

Rocky Glade

This is a picture of a glade on Peck Ranch CA. This glade is very diverse, it has more than 700 different kinds of plants. Look closely and you can see the rocky ground. It makes great habitat for sun loving reptiles too.

5. Something noisy - A river can be noisy or peaceful. On this particular day, the Mississippi looks calm and peaceful. I was high and dry on a backyard deck when I took this photograph. It is quite a view. If I lived here I would dream of adventures such as Mark Twain wrote about.

Mississippi River

6. Strange thing - I have seen and heard a red headed woodpecker in this tree. I can't get a picture though. Here is the evidence he was here, making holes to find insects.

7. Camouflage - 

This tulip poplar makes great hiding spots for birds of all kinds. The leaves block the midday sun so you can see details.

8. Interaction - a cool ladybug on a native plant, bee balm.

10. Something gross in nature - While poo is a natural occurrence, it did look ugly on the Crepe Myrtle bush.

Slice of Life Tuesday - Homecoming

I live about 4 miles outside a community of 894 residents. This week is our 67th annual Homecoming sponsored by the VFW. Richardson Avenue or Main Street is blocked to make room for the square dance floor, carnival rides, eat stands and booths selling chances on quilts, guns, 50/50 drawing, tool chest, etc. Each night attendance drawings are sponsored by local businesses. Some businesses close for the week-long event and others, especially restaurants, hire extra help to serve the additional crowd of people. Store front windows display pictures of veterans throughout the years. It is a touching display. Pictures of my Dad and Uncle in their uniforms are on display.

Tuesday night was the first night of activities. At 6:30 the first Homecoming Queen Contest for resident girls age 5 began. Soon after was the contest for 16 year old residents. I worked at the booth sponsored by the Puxico Library Board. We sold 50/50 chances, gift cards and book bags decorated with renderings of the Library by deceased, local artist and former librarian Elizabeth Ruser and 75th anniversary plates and mugs. I visited with former students, current friends and family. The evening was enjoyable because I reconnected with old acquaintances.

Every night is bracelet night for the kids. Wednesday night is Church Night with a sermon in the Park, Thursday night is music in the Park, Friday at 10:00 am the baby contests for residents and Grandparents' Delight up to 2 years of age occurs followed later in the evening by the Alumni Reception and Saturday has a 1:00 parade, 5:00 Kids Attendance Prize Drawing and the largest crowd of the week. Graduates of Puxico High School schedule a class reunion every five years sometime during the week and usually have a float in the parade.

I need to mention the Goat Burger, which is not actually a burger, but a tasty bar-b-que made from goat meat. My husband says. "It's not baaad." They usually run out of goat burgers about 7 each evening. Other eat stands include a Corn Dog stand sponsored by the Ladies Auxillary, Ribbon Fries by the Methodist Men and various booths sponsored by the Carnival Company.

In spite of the intrusion of our daily lives and extra work, it is a welcome event. It brings friends and family members back to the community and signals the end of summer because school starts mid-week the following week. Members of the local community take time to stop and celebrate life and honor the veterans who have made our freedom possible.