tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52053706413505432582024-03-14T03:58:23.731-04:00Earth's AlmanacJonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.comBlogger416125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-17256175273360103042014-05-23T21:20:00.004-04:002014-05-23T23:04:21.394-04:00Eastern Tent Caterpillars: A time for a feeding frenzy & a time to say goodbye.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>EASTERN TENT CATERPILLARS Oakland County, Michigan </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b> All photos by Jonathan Schechter 5/23/2014</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000;"> The eastern tent caterpillar is a creature that is hard to miss and fascinating to watch. The silky nests make for positive identification and the tent caterpillars tree campsites are popping up all over Oakland County in these waning days of May. Most of the nests are secured in the crotches of black cherry tree limbs, with the tender young leaves being the favorite food source. The caterpillars crawl about all day munching on the leaves and return to the shelter of the nest after a last meal shortly after darkness. Some say the caterpillars are late this year. Not so! Their emergence is timed to the food source and the great feeding frenzy began with the recent warm days and rains finally accelerated leaf growth. Although branches are often defoliated the tree does just fine and careful observation confirms the tents are usually
oriented with the largest wall facing the morning sun making for a longer feeding day.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: small;"> So is the case of these nests in my Brandon Township meadow.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: blue;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">NOTE:</span> This unfortunately is most likely my last Earth's Almanac blog post for The Oakland Press. Number 436. Its been fun! Look for a new nature blog I have created that appears on the government website of Oakland County, Michigan. <span style="color: red;">WWW.LIVEOAKLANDCOUNTY.COM</span> is the direct link to my Oakland County Parks sponsored "The Wilder Side of Oakland County"and readers will also find posts from others that promote and share tales and facts about life in Oakland County. </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Perhaps one day I will blog again for The Oakland Press.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I have left the door open for occasional posts.</span></span></span></b></div>
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-11434801241680470002014-05-18T14:12:00.002-04:002014-05-19T06:29:08.511-04:00Goose Territorial Defense: Get off my land! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>All photos by Jonathan Schechter, Erie County N.Y. & Oakland County, MI May 2014</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Canada Geese are great parents. And they do not like intruders when nesting season arrives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">And one pair of Canada geese that has taken up housekeeping at the Ramada Inn in Getzville N.Y. uses a light post for a look out station and when hordes of humans approach from tour buses destined for nearby Niagara Falls it's time for their territorial defense action plan. The geese honk, wing flap and make impressive power dives warning humans to keep back. And they mean business; so much so that hotel management posted signs in Japanese on the doorways to advise their Japanese clientele that geese may not be cuddly and a wary eye is in order.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">The nests are easy to approach for what is more perfect for a goose than the median strip!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">On the other side of the creek the geese have found the living easy at an independent living facility and that management too is now warning their guest of the territorial defense in no uncertain terms.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">And back in the rolling hills of lake-studded Brandon Township, Michigan one pair of geese has hired an "alarm company" to warn of intruders. They have built their nest at the edge of a small lake in Sandhill Crane habitat. Those geese activate their territorial defense needs based on the behavior of the keen-eyed cranes.</span></div>
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-58370608739651924732014-05-01T14:04:00.000-04:002014-05-01T21:03:50.158-04:00SNOW:THE GREAT INSULATOR! Tales of a winter lake mishap and a lackluster spring forsythia bloom.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Photos by Jonathan Schechter. Snow image February, 2014 Forsythia image April, 2014</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #660000;">It was frigidly cold morning in Oakland County and after nearly two weeks of the temperature hovering in single digits in late February I was not worried about thin ice. I should have been. The snow was deep and the lake is spring fed. I was on an early morning mission to photograph a beaver lodge on a small kettle lake in a protected wildland of Oakland County. My trek straight across the lake on snowshoes went well and I was enamored with the snow-capped lodge at the far side of the lake. On my return trek across the lake taking a different route I missed some warning signs when I was about 15 feet from shore. A few willows and cattails grew on the edge of the slope---- and willows and cattails like their feet' wet. I kept walking. Suddenly one foot in slow motion plunged through the snow and ice into the water. I quickly spread my weight and belly-slithered to shore, a bit shaken and far more respectful of the fact that snow is a great insulator and ice near the spring remained dangerously thin<span style="color: #990000;"> <span style="color: #660000;">when sheltered from the extreme cold by snow.</span></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Jump ahead to late April. The forsythia shrubs that edge my driveway should be thick with yellow blossoms. This year, next to nothing; maybe three dozen blossoms. And every single blossom that finally appeared this year were <b>within two feet of the ground</b> and mostly on the leeward side. I thought about the record deep freeze during a time of high winds and the mercury plunging for days on end between <b>-10 </b>and <b>-20</b> Fahrenheit. You do not need to be a botanist or be an earth sciences forensic expert to figure out the rest of this story. The snow was just over<b> two feet deep</b> on the slope of the drive and snow was the great insulator that protected the blossoms that finally bloomed. Snow may be cold, but it remains a great insulator from extreme cold and frigid winds. </span></div>
Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-51238220545068481892014-04-21T18:06:00.000-04:002014-04-22T06:53:54.236-04:00EARTH DAY 2014: Round-lobed Hepatica Confirms Spring!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Round-lobed hepatica (<i>Hepatica americana</i>) Photos by Jonathan Schechter 4/19/2014</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #660000;">The calendar and worm-slurping robins are false prophets of spring. At the dawn of Earth Day 2014 snow still carpets large swaths of the northwoods of Michigan and frost remains deep in the earth. But in 'my' semi-wilds of Oakland County the season of this never ending winter has come to an abrupt end. Less than 72 hours before Earth Day I hiked across the glacially sculpted hills of Holly State Recreation Area, a 7,817 acre wildland managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in search of a particular wildflower. The target of my of foray was the spring beauty (<i> <b>Claytonia virginica</b></i>), a delicate spring ephemeral wildflower also known as "fairy spud" for its tiny and tasty roots. None were to be found, not yet. But proof spring has finally taken root was confirmed in the emergence of round-lobed hepatica <i><b>(Hepatica americana</b></i>), one the earliest of our ephemeral wildflowers. These beauties were bathed in dabbled sunlight next to a glacial erratic that has graced a glacial moraine for some 11,000 years. Sunlight, soil moisture and nutrients are key factors in the early emergence of hepatica and they fell perfectly into place for this clump of wild natural beauty at her finest. However before the forest floor is shaded by a canopy of leafy deciduous trees, the ephemeral's blossoms will be gone; but the season of spring remains and the cycles of nature continue.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;"> A hill top clump of hepatica above a small glacial erratic. J.S.S. photo</span></b><br />
<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-32545050705003106332014-04-03T18:21:00.004-04:002014-04-03T19:59:12.245-04:00Fish Planting with the Michigan DNR! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>All photos by Jonathan Schechter: Huron River/ Proud Lake State Recreation Area 3/31/2014</b><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">It was one of those days when everything went right even though boot-sucking mud was thick with slush </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">and ice in the woodlands of Oakland County. A great adventure with the Fisheries Division of the Michigan </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Department of Natural Resources was underway. And I had front row seat. The late afternoon setting was a</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">a small dam on the Huron River within the Proud Lake State Recreation Area. The Huron sparkled in</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">afternoon sunlight, evergreens smelled like spring, chickadees sang their new season melody and excited </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">children were invited to help release the rainbow and brown trout to the river. Kids loved it! So did I.</span> </div>
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<b> The Huron at the site of the fish planting. (One of my favorite local kayaking rivers!)</b></div>
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-44374207102272678512014-03-24T22:51:00.001-04:002014-03-24T22:56:18.463-04:00Garlic Mustard vs Skunk Cabbage: Wetland Wars and Adaptation <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yfSsjvn_Qg9Uunx2nTss96_uVNZUGFo9NGigr5JucQpxjRDDynD9hn8ffVP1IAxgEDH62SC7EsDLprtBZ4Ndt08lLKZ9RJA64p9ZE7dhAD6iTKaAW638DCMrIiKHfr1qhWn-Lxv7oX_l/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yfSsjvn_Qg9Uunx2nTss96_uVNZUGFo9NGigr5JucQpxjRDDynD9hn8ffVP1IAxgEDH62SC7EsDLprtBZ4Ndt08lLKZ9RJA64p9ZE7dhAD6iTKaAW638DCMrIiKHfr1qhWn-Lxv7oX_l/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" height="502" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>PHOTO BY JONATHAN SCHECHTER/ MARCH 21, 2014</b></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Garlic mustard is a European exotic that has spread rapidly into 27 Midwestern and Northeastern States </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: small;"> and Canada and continues to spread into high quality woodlands upland and floodplain forests, not just disturbed high-use trail use areas. Sadly garlic mustard alters habitat suitability for the success of native flora and fauna. I photographed these bright green just emerged garlic mustard leaves last weekend in a wooded wetland of the Oak Openings Preserve of Lucas County, Ohio. Of note is the young garlic mustard plants received a head start on their growth season by emergence adjacent to skunk cabbage (<span style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="color: #e69138;">hooded</span> </span><span style="color: #e69138;">reddish/yellow plant</span> <span style="color: #e69138;">in photo</span>), a native plant that creates its own heat and melts and pushes up through ice and snow before other plants and by that act created a more suitable habitat for invasive garlic mustard. .</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span> </span></div>
Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-32470293692520271732014-03-09T13:14:00.000-04:002014-03-09T18:27:41.376-04:00Not So Secrets Signs of Spring's Approach!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOJE1CcjRCqkhskN_W8ql0934RAdAcpg_syHAL5HmErGMmk-jelB67euPefVQpIj5muZvnpK5zPCMVyowuOIsOheBFkjU_GVUiCvFcuAZnK6eApRsNVxzp5CxXUqhrsz4WKRCFvrS82wD/s1600/IMG_9761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOJE1CcjRCqkhskN_W8ql0934RAdAcpg_syHAL5HmErGMmk-jelB67euPefVQpIj5muZvnpK5zPCMVyowuOIsOheBFkjU_GVUiCvFcuAZnK6eApRsNVxzp5CxXUqhrsz4WKRCFvrS82wD/s1600/IMG_9761.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>All photos by Jonathan Schechter, March, 2014 </b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000;">The ways of nature and dates on the calendar are not always in sync especially as restless humans wait for spring. But natural and behavioral signs confirm spring will arrive--but more snow falls first. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">Why stay in a cold tree den when 25 degree sunshine provides warmth for one raccoon?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Hepatic leaves on the south side of lofty oaks hint of pale blue blossoms to follow.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Skunk cabbage generates heat and melts through icy snow granting moss an early growth start.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4490LuDv6MSqv4_uKkjj-sNKcKhUeRaWalGqMXuVtCpZk0L4Y6rsoLREFraof22j0oIv2QDMFvzdf4PcmubcaVPPGbrP4wxLHvzR39X7AxMvXqfH4crLBp8qx9LyM9GOqoUQVssZYiouP/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4490LuDv6MSqv4_uKkjj-sNKcKhUeRaWalGqMXuVtCpZk0L4Y6rsoLREFraof22j0oIv2QDMFvzdf4PcmubcaVPPGbrP4wxLHvzR39X7AxMvXqfH4crLBp8qx9LyM9GOqoUQVssZYiouP/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">A restless river crackles and moans as shifting ice lures a hiker to a bench for warm season dreams.</span></div>
Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-11228390650267982014-02-19T20:08:00.001-05:002014-02-19T21:23:38.123-05:00COLD FACTS ON ICE SAFETY: A chilling first hand wake up reminder!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mudZNYQiQ9cNhyphenhyphenmpTiCBxDor8QiWWv7jCkyRFw47RNgNCjZPAXCnIT3cD3Sho8fvs5XEtzGdTQcv_UwxCYOHiklvGKlapBk4RBaOAVAzNBtVzjtK_-TZNNSxbcdYnpjIWWUz_Z4y-J0S/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mudZNYQiQ9cNhyphenhyphenmpTiCBxDor8QiWWv7jCkyRFw47RNgNCjZPAXCnIT3cD3Sho8fvs5XEtzGdTQcv_UwxCYOHiklvGKlapBk4RBaOAVAzNBtVzjtK_-TZNNSxbcdYnpjIWWUz_Z4y-J0S/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" height="510" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>My snowshoe tracks leading from the beaver lodge to my plunge just yards from shore.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>photos by Jonathan Schechter 2/15/2014</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Oakland County, Michigan </b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>It happened four days ago. It was a frigidly beautiful day and the third week the temperature had not climbed above the freezing mark. Deep snow added to the drama of the woods and wanderlust fever was running strong and so I set off with my camera to photograph a beaver lodge on the far side of a small lake in a wildland of Oakland County. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Less than 90 minutes after strapping on my snowshoes and walking across the lake to explore the outside of the lodge I had a a bitter cold reminder on my return route across the ice that no ice is guaranteed safe ice.</b></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>I was about 10 feet from the far shore - a glacial moraine - when suddenly there was no ice under the snow. I sank to my knees in bitter cold water. I leaned forward, spread my weight and crawled to shore. And of course I turned around to take a photo of my plunge hole. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Without unsettled weather streaming into Oakland County let my experience serve as a reminder that no one can safely judge the strength of ice by its appearance or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on many factors and in this case I failed to notice subtle warning signs there may have been a hidden spring. There was.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Ice that forms over currents or streams or small hillside seeps is always dangerous and the insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. And as I discovered ice near the shore is often weaker than ice further out.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>(But I did get my beaver lodge photo and a cold dash of wild woods ice safety wisdom.)</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT2TyRVbUUXUtF_XwmLZkfOOx2RJ-WEZsJRjZziUeNsxnHeqx2xcbq7nV8Caxbtofovw0UMSZkXUplQdPf_79VtElUNRUjTMD_Bo5liusYdBuTseiPeeoR1RQocgzGB7Xj9-Y5cLMrPvh/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAT2TyRVbUUXUtF_XwmLZkfOOx2RJ-WEZsJRjZziUeNsxnHeqx2xcbq7nV8Caxbtofovw0UMSZkXUplQdPf_79VtElUNRUjTMD_Bo5liusYdBuTseiPeeoR1RQocgzGB7Xj9-Y5cLMrPvh/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-49278860229702450282014-02-12T20:17:00.001-05:002014-02-13T07:52:20.848-05:00Free Fishing Weekend is here: Perfect for kids, no license required!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX3EDK-mZ9k4IpadIe_km6ae5npHk4_mX9v5sBFV4jU75sRhKntQq02SYCsOlYjuNwd8aFKfZAofcpk8MhhE-nu8dhK6E5ykkOAUHROV1vlXIqWPd9LB86UHLlF3yyfsavK9gLxWhmIdW/s1600/DNR+ice+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX3EDK-mZ9k4IpadIe_km6ae5npHk4_mX9v5sBFV4jU75sRhKntQq02SYCsOlYjuNwd8aFKfZAofcpk8MhhE-nu8dhK6E5ykkOAUHROV1vlXIqWPd9LB86UHLlF3yyfsavK9gLxWhmIdW/s1600/DNR+ice+fish.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000;">Winter free fishing weekend has arrived. Children, adults, residents and non-residents alike can</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"> all fish for free without a license in the State of Michigan on Saturday, February 15th and Sunday February 16th. The only stipulation is fishing regulations must be followed and Recreation Passport </span><span style="color: #990000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport">www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport</a>
</span></span>is required to enter a Michigan State Park or </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">State Recreation Area with a vehicle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"> This special DNR event occurs twice a year to introduce everyone to the pleasures of fishing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">(The summer free fishing weekend will be June 7th and 8th)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><i>"Michigan is home to many fun and family friendly activities during the cold months and fishing is definitely among the most popular,"</i> said DNR director Keith Creagh.<i>"Our Winter Free Fishing Weekend is a great time for people to get outdoors and explore the broad range of Pure Michigan fishing opportunities. There is something for everyone - </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><i>on your own or with a friend or the family." </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #990000;">Fishing events are scheduled across the State to encourage involvement and many make it easier for children that have never ice fished. Two Oakland County sites with special events are Seven Lakes State Park in Holly Township ( Ice Fishing Derby) and Bald Mountain State Recreation Area in Orion Township has "Into to Ice Fishing" that includes instructions and loan of gear. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #990000;"> For full details on all Free Fishing Weekend events<span style="font-size: small;"> across the state visit</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.michigan.gov/freefishing" target="_blank">www.michigan.gov/freefishing</a></span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #990000;"> Open the 2014 Official Events Link and look for your county. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">Seven Lakes and Bald Mountain even loan ice fishing equipment for this event.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Or be like my young experienced fisher friend Ryan ( below) and find your own lake! </span></div>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA26_L_jt6PiQBevFtle0Ctw7WuQGpr5JMILit43E-itJ6aH-HFslK9A__RQeRK34Lwp4RmdtREa-g5pzDjbeD9j74sPFIJ3Qk1kQbi-CaoO-NbduFD7WrCbFM2rNbsjagChyphenhyphenzSjUt13A/s1600/ryan+with+pike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA26_L_jt6PiQBevFtle0Ctw7WuQGpr5JMILit43E-itJ6aH-HFslK9A__RQeRK34Lwp4RmdtREa-g5pzDjbeD9j74sPFIJ3Qk1kQbi-CaoO-NbduFD7WrCbFM2rNbsjagChyphenhyphenzSjUt13A/s1600/ryan+with+pike.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Happy Ryan Burkeen with a northern pike from an Oakland County Park<br />
<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;" target="_blank">Visit </span></b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.destinationoakland.com/" target="_blank">Destination Oakland</a></span> <br />
</td></tr>
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-44349130655576575402014-02-01T11:38:00.001-05:002014-02-02T11:42:39.818-05:00Groundhogs: Tree-climbing false prophets of winter! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDoqWwdprWaCXG36kKm3bw5Z2btMtZi0eQKo_TfrwGUAhI5sAADL-WjsqJ7uWQICvN2cClt3Ea86NZc84QRXq7-hDc8fqcJ8HWaLQKd7bRvHgPmR6BejDvYgwLFT6Hgy140_SKBRb92Hi/s1600/IMG_9408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDoqWwdprWaCXG36kKm3bw5Z2btMtZi0eQKo_TfrwGUAhI5sAADL-WjsqJ7uWQICvN2cClt3Ea86NZc84QRXq7-hDc8fqcJ8HWaLQKd7bRvHgPmR6BejDvYgwLFT6Hgy140_SKBRb92Hi/s1600/IMG_9408.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A tree climbing groundhog, Oakland County, Michigan (late spring 2013) photo J. Schechter</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"> On Sunday, February 2nd a famous tree-climbing, media-hog of a rodent on the slightly</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"> chubby side with the name of Punxsutawney Phil will be pulled
from his burrow in Pennsylvania </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">and displayed to cheering crowds and TV cameras and be called
upon to predict the weather. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">If Phil casts his shadow legend has it that winter is here to stay for six more weeks.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SECRET FACT: Listen up folks!</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Even is there is no shadow spring is a long way away.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Groundhogs are still in hibernation</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> with only four or five heartbeats a minute, a drastic drop from the normal rate of 80-100. </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And their body temperature is still hovering just a few degrees above freezing. </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shadow looking on the 2nd? I do not think so! </span> </span></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Any doubt that the groundhog - also known as a woodchuck - is a member of the squirrel family should evaporate with one glance at this young chuck in a tree; a photo I took last spring at the edge of my woods. This well known rodent, also known as a whistle-pig due to its shrill warning call is the largest member of the squirrel family, belonging to the
group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Many homeowners consider them pests due to their gluttonous habits. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"> But groundhogs are loved by coyotes, fox and red-tailed hawks---as plump dinner entrees.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;">Love them or hate them Groundhogs Day is the day nature lovers and city dwellers </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"> take time to salute this creature and celebrate the great winter weather myth~!</span><br />
<br /></div>
Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-73880848089810966502014-01-20T08:19:00.001-05:002014-01-20T14:17:34.673-05:00NATIONAL SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOEUg55CKTSF9hsVzK4gg14Gaesyr-eXiuVRbKIKju7SRdgWpGIhyxQZLfkcGmHw3Qf1iZuYIcQDVPSlwVSP86U-gCs6As8Zm2jmHG6-SHzxTxO1B4dYMbvWWB2OFYls2urLwuFt54COl/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOEUg55CKTSF9hsVzK4gg14Gaesyr-eXiuVRbKIKju7SRdgWpGIhyxQZLfkcGmHw3Qf1iZuYIcQDVPSlwVSP86U-gCs6As8Zm2jmHG6-SHzxTxO1B4dYMbvWWB2OFYls2urLwuFt54COl/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>All photos by Jonathan Schechter Oakland County, Michigan</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Squirrel Appreciation Day is here; like those little creatures or not. January 21st is the day to look at America's favorite </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;">rodent as something other than pancake-flat road kill, a clever bird feeder-robber or free entertainment for a frustrated window watching cat. Take time today to appreciate their adaptability and ability to not just survive but thrive in our midst. This slightly nutty 'holiday' is saluted by the National Wildlife Federation and was founded in 2001 by</span> </span><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christy Hargrove, a wildlife rehabilitator in North Carolina. Despite the fact that many nut crazed hungry squirrels fail to look both ways before crossing a highway even squirrel haters should salute these creatures that bury nuts; helping to spread trees to areas where the nuts did not fall. In Oakland County the squirrels seen in winter are the evergreen tree loving red squirrels, the rusty orange colored fox squirrel<span style="color: blue;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Above; obese fox squirrel after dumpster-diving for muffin remains)</span></span> and the gray squirrel, a squirrel of the great American hardwood forests that is sometimes jet black. We are also home to the northern flying squirrel; a nocturnal creature that is more common than many realize! Our local chipmunks are seldom seen in</span> winter <span style="font-size: small;">and our 13 lined ground squirrel are under ground snoozing until spring thaw. Today belongs to squirrels. Treat them at the feeder today.</span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbdfjSrq73yooPu365gWXgAXz09tHS0Y18LpfmrP1B1Tdu450pBif-nmWvurHVRQnYk16CmUaiVb-3cGB6oWO18zKSvManI5uhYe2uwNi87TBohfqgJNhzHv6UnxhYDb6cn6WblqltDXN/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbdfjSrq73yooPu365gWXgAXz09tHS0Y18LpfmrP1B1Tdu450pBif-nmWvurHVRQnYk16CmUaiVb-3cGB6oWO18zKSvManI5uhYe2uwNi87TBohfqgJNhzHv6UnxhYDb6cn6WblqltDXN/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG" height="404" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <b> Red squirrel </b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZQ78hlEgU8axjSF0_AhZLALm1iznGwStYyib69jzkUL_bSSgIyBACvb3A4YTxspwIB0nXt8pmbwrubHgnfhzDqSLBODphUJ6L65w_lFVAV7WD0YM4xs9WketSAMFIp1xepZgfqll4nrt/s1600/IMG_9203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZQ78hlEgU8axjSF0_AhZLALm1iznGwStYyib69jzkUL_bSSgIyBACvb3A4YTxspwIB0nXt8pmbwrubHgnfhzDqSLBODphUJ6L65w_lFVAV7WD0YM4xs9WketSAMFIp1xepZgfqll4nrt/s1600/IMG_9203.JPG" height="568" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <b> A black gray squirrel</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yTlIj8mFhKKdmrQU2Sr6ZrVW5D9qgnVr34LNmXPrvJ3kyg4MOj-qiP2jdJQ5qDMJ91voOVzHpOLKgsW0Semhrr_n4fBWnxvoEGWMjUzcFs2t4QDyOjJmjXodtrVPuSDDF7lueeDqSaSy/s1600/IMG_5324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yTlIj8mFhKKdmrQU2Sr6ZrVW5D9qgnVr34LNmXPrvJ3kyg4MOj-qiP2jdJQ5qDMJ91voOVzHpOLKgsW0Semhrr_n4fBWnxvoEGWMjUzcFs2t4QDyOjJmjXodtrVPuSDDF7lueeDqSaSy/s1600/IMG_5324.JPG" height="490" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <b> eastern chipmunk in seed bin</b></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span>Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-10178014344249409462014-01-12T16:59:00.000-05:002014-01-13T06:52:45.120-05:00On the trail of a white-footed mouse; - - - - - or was it a meadow vole? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKYmh7_OJ6n7MX5k6UYRV3luP-UkFbssjAI7NB92eRYNhFi9S0EgaR6bjj-awJunOs_wmJvts1MLPU73Brya2o0Qlw2wQ_VvX2AVl8GeN6sXk2PPVB4wqZGQDGTzxcJESlBgV9kx5vNwT/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKYmh7_OJ6n7MX5k6UYRV3luP-UkFbssjAI7NB92eRYNhFi9S0EgaR6bjj-awJunOs_wmJvts1MLPU73Brya2o0Qlw2wQ_VvX2AVl8GeN6sXk2PPVB4wqZGQDGTzxcJESlBgV9kx5vNwT/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>MEADOW VOLE OR WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE </b> (all photos by Jonathan Schechter)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
T<span style="color: #990000;">he red fox does not care if tiny tracks were made by a meadow vole or a white-footed mouse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"> Both of them are tasty treats on the cold days of winter!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXjAsQln3iyYl4iNdNjUBmmhQI9OLmNP1q2NKIfAXc1LNBUPkuzIRasdpFSyaARNjP9EapLoBPg68_D-SDTSFJGu4ourbombwrC36RqVComllyNrhnFnjYZ9l6lO5QuYRVgDng_VXj5kx/s1600/red+fox+daylight+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXjAsQln3iyYl4iNdNjUBmmhQI9OLmNP1q2NKIfAXc1LNBUPkuzIRasdpFSyaARNjP9EapLoBPg68_D-SDTSFJGu4ourbombwrC36RqVComllyNrhnFnjYZ9l6lO5QuYRVgDng_VXj5kx/s1600/red+fox+daylight+1.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Fox image captured in my meadow on trail cam. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">White-footed mice tracks are extremely common in the woodlands of Oakland County.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">Two characteristics that distinguish mice tracks from the meadow vole are the opposite placement of the tiny feet as they hop on the surface of the snow and the occasional drag mark of the tail. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">The next two photos show tracks of the common white-footed mouse.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG__3uPhslbf_wJdBgK4CXw-VLv-PKZzcObThuTvV2N2ztlitumhOUFiOk-WHqrwFHfeQ7QPca2KsQ1PSvGw2AxavlxnXsBBApjLm3kAk_KU-NcfI8u8X2na_jREy6CnFCgKD8YQG_bvK4/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG__3uPhslbf_wJdBgK4CXw-VLv-PKZzcObThuTvV2N2ztlitumhOUFiOk-WHqrwFHfeQ7QPca2KsQ1PSvGw2AxavlxnXsBBApjLm3kAk_KU-NcfI8u8X2na_jREy6CnFCgKD8YQG_bvK4/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Note the opposite placement of the mouse tracks even as it ran in a circle!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_8wMp2j0F3pAQpK4GogpLPzYr2_TN_NbAY_9CuDJuA-qsYyijJNjOdmSsD4fLyp8sb1Ic2y21HggD93rq7ynMX6pcuICCWiDJ9kkpJ6eAzQFuYO5bDl7KfkZvpnPPXqgST1SK5yo8fa_/s1600/IMG_5208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_8wMp2j0F3pAQpK4GogpLPzYr2_TN_NbAY_9CuDJuA-qsYyijJNjOdmSsD4fLyp8sb1Ic2y21HggD93rq7ynMX6pcuICCWiDJ9kkpJ6eAzQFuYO5bDl7KfkZvpnPPXqgST1SK5yo8fa_/s1600/IMG_5208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> And in this image (above) the mouse tail drag marks are very clear</b>.<br />
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<b>Meadow vole track (opposite placement of feet) and plunge hole.</b><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;">Adapting for winter survival is a struggle for both the meadow vole and the white-footed mouse. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">The vole makes winter nests of grasses under the snow. In summer they feast on grasses, sedges </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">and herbs but after snow blankets the land they tunnel in search of tender bark, roots and tubers.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Every now and then voles travel above snow leaving distinctive tracks before plunging </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">back into a world of under snow hidden safety; except from the fox that can hear it move </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">under the snow! When the snow melts in spring their hidden tunnels become visible.</span><br />
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<b>Meadow vole tunnels after spring melt.</b><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">The white-footed mouse usually travels above the snow and climbs shrubs and trees in search of seeds. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">They are active mostly during the night and some fall prey to screech owls and great horned owls. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Before sunrise mice return to their winter nests, often an empty bird nest safely located above ground.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtvUzqOOA0trOIeq1u3AvG0hMpWVvGI51DX2rUZr17Z7rX0KzvRFO-1jSbAIK1MCw_Y4oMj5jk_-kkAKpEoGCJfOPNRbTuuogce3chC28dR6bc_Ya6GhtAg6mHqi1Vb_Sa1M2Xkd2C3XU/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtvUzqOOA0trOIeq1u3AvG0hMpWVvGI51DX2rUZr17Z7rX0KzvRFO-1jSbAIK1MCw_Y4oMj5jk_-kkAKpEoGCJfOPNRbTuuogce3chC28dR6bc_Ya6GhtAg6mHqi1Vb_Sa1M2Xkd2C3XU/s640/IMG_1370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000;"> A typical winter refuge/nest for a white-footed mouse</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-78241084219796574492014-01-06T14:16:00.002-05:002014-01-06T14:58:01.520-05:00FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL: Volunteers needed!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Yu82pxvFR-RJXN2PHokN_t0VUtDB7rgldyCOGktyKzKp7kaa4opsZOaN6M4yl1u46HUxSvgdi__8AXPoQZ6mvxtzCinVlG1mQ1x_te_AVRkWpvTA_XKTEuT1Mvp0ihOHv1LfPslyUB9T/s1600/IMG_7858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Yu82pxvFR-RJXN2PHokN_t0VUtDB7rgldyCOGktyKzKp7kaa4opsZOaN6M4yl1u46HUxSvgdi__8AXPoQZ6mvxtzCinVlG1mQ1x_te_AVRkWpvTA_XKTEuT1Mvp0ihOHv1LfPslyUB9T/s1600/IMG_7858.JPG" height="382" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Fire and Ice Festival photos by Jonathan Schechter</b><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oakland County Parks and
Recreation Seeks </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>200 Volunteers for Fire & Ice Festival !!!</b></span></span></div>
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<b> </b><br />
<b> OAKLAND COUNTY – Oakland County Parks and Recreation seeks 200 volunteers</b><br />
<b> for the Rochester Fire & Ice Festival weekend, Jan. 24 – 26, 2014. </b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #990000;">“We couldn’t make the event the success that it is without
our volunteers,” Volunteer Program</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Supervisor Rachel Boyd said. “The service
requirement is only 2.5 hours total over the course</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">of the three-day event. In
return, we offer our volunteers a free Oakland County Parks and</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"> Recreation
waterpark pass and hand warmers. The Rochester Fire Department will also
provide</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"> volunteers with free hot chocolate to keep warm.” </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Volunteers are needed for numerous activities at Fire &
Ice Festival. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Previous experience is not necessary. The Fire & Ice Festival
features an</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;"> ice skating rink, snowshoe and cross-country ski demonstrations,
tube sledding, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">dog sled demos, ice sculptures, fireworks,marshmallow roasting,
trolley rides,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;"> light show and more.Call the volunteer coordinator at 248-975-9717 or</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;"> email
volunteer@oakgov.com for details about volunteering for this fun annual </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">event.</span></b> <br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">The Festival takes place in downtown Rochester.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">Friday, Jan. 24 from 6 – 9 p.m.; Saturday, Jan.
25 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; and</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Sunday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Download the Fire & Ice Festival volunteer</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">flyer at
DestinationOakland.com. For more winter fun activities, find Oakland County </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Parks and Recreation on Facebook and follow on Twitter @DestinationOak.</span></b></div>
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-69111056410192436882014-01-02T15:05:00.002-05:002014-01-02T16:18:35.776-05:00 Winter Wildlife Condos and Shelters: Free of charge after the ice storm!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZEQXlekCWMZdj7UgLRbUiCQIjUSYRL4ihBR7y7jxdWtKkHqmHFFT5a5II5qtMSrx9Fo3-t4lAEbRw77xyjTi6BXXn2a2d32RsorloQMMULO8kg_0LpFlvOtQf_zTWVsIVgT3vjsevzRL/s1600/2728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZEQXlekCWMZdj7UgLRbUiCQIjUSYRL4ihBR7y7jxdWtKkHqmHFFT5a5II5qtMSrx9Fo3-t4lAEbRw77xyjTi6BXXn2a2d32RsorloQMMULO8kg_0LpFlvOtQf_zTWVsIVgT3vjsevzRL/s1600/2728.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>photos by Jonathan Schechter Oakland County, Michigan</b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Note the red squirrel perched on shattered tree bark. </b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #990000;">The ice storm that left tens of thousands of Oakland County residents without power for almost a week late last month had a side effect: <i>woodland renewal for wildlife.</i> Tree limbs from forest giants, dead ash trees killed by emerald ash borers and thousand upon thousands of smaller trees came crashing down across a wide swath of Michigan. And now as winter tightens her grasp on the land the great transition to new opportunity is under way. Unlike humans that are devastated by rapid-fire change, wildlife quickly responds. For wildlife it is simple; Adapt or Die. A tree with a gaping cavity is an inviting shelter for a squirrel, raccoon or screech owl even if the sign proclaims Keep Out! Tangled limbs on the ground offer cover for rabbits and song birds and are prefect sites for wild turkey nests next spring. And large trees that are flat on the in forested areas will become ideal drumming sites for ruffed grouse in spring and provide protective shelter late next autumn for hibernation woodland frog and salamanders.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>Nature's way is always full of change ; an ice storm draws human attention to that change</i>.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz-GGXHMXObvpwhQFd2sL2xfL6st29yFay0Az2jpWnKYhn64UtBNI5B69OmMKzkWLb3lzMOg8Ih0H1UOsh86PZMbSv98H1c8lLFfz5twGTNLzz__-NAPAqWi7hFwGEbx9rBo-HigMMSA9/s1600/IMG_8872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz-GGXHMXObvpwhQFd2sL2xfL6st29yFay0Az2jpWnKYhn64UtBNI5B69OmMKzkWLb3lzMOg8Ih0H1UOsh86PZMbSv98H1c8lLFfz5twGTNLzz__-NAPAqWi7hFwGEbx9rBo-HigMMSA9/s640/IMG_8872.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-23593055408313731332013-12-20T07:43:00.002-05:002013-12-20T18:45:19.332-05:00 Beavers: Ready for the Winter Solstice! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHsujskkB9x2DmugEXuwRuPsbTc_NNnj8GOHYHLQYSv2_ZkJEl4x62jnZzm1Ic0hHqXRaBXufw5dVNCPMCferQggbSrpmQA9gj7UbrYNA4mUr6zFzAm0xjoMjX4OtvyLg0hyphenhyphen7JcqKAzKY/s1600/IMG_8425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHsujskkB9x2DmugEXuwRuPsbTc_NNnj8GOHYHLQYSv2_ZkJEl4x62jnZzm1Ic0hHqXRaBXufw5dVNCPMCferQggbSrpmQA9gj7UbrYNA4mUr6zFzAm0xjoMjX4OtvyLg0hyphenhyphen7JcqKAzKY/s640/IMG_8425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Active beaver lodge at Highland Oaks County Park, Oakland County, Michigan 12/16/13 </b></span><br />
<b>All photos by Jonathan Schechter</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beavers are nature's supreme engineers and not just because of their dam building skills. These amazing animals are the largest rodents in North America and may weigh up to 60 pounds. And they are the only species in Oakland County that alters the environment to suit their needs other than man! Winter weather transforms the lives of the beaver and by the time the Winter Solstice arrives the sturdy lodges become the center of all activity. </span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Each lodge has an above water platform chamber where the beaver family sleeps, dines and grooms all winter. And they stay warm even during howling blizzards. In spring the lodge becomes the birthing chamber for the kits. But to survive until spring the beavers had to prepare in autumn much in the way humans would prepare if given advance notice of a powerful storm---beavers and humans both store food and fortify their homes in preparation. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #660000;">Branches were cut from trees they felled in autumn and dragged to the pond to be stored in underwater food caches near the lodges. And underwater entrances to the lodge enable the beavers to swim to their winter 'store' to shop for their stashed meals. The survival of each beaver colony during winter depends on the availability of this under-ice food supply and the sturdiness of the lodge to repel predators. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan the wolf is the primary winter predator; in Oakland County coyotes pose some risk. After ice-out next spring beavers resume their surface swimming and search for fresh wetland vegetation and tender young twigs and saplings on shore and more trees to cut to repair damage to dams and add to the lodge.</span></span><br />
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-68967083371035135842013-12-07T10:17:00.000-05:002013-12-07T18:20:44.038-05:00Muskrats: Masters of winter survival and cozy construction! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Photos by Jonathan Schechter, Oakland County, Michigan </b><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">The muskrats of Michigan are perfectly adapted to their semi-aquatic life style. And just like their much larger cousin the beaver, they are pros at constructing cozy lodges. But unlike beavers that built large lodges from sections of trees they gnawed down and branches they gathered, muskrat uses wetland vegetation as building material. Lodges have an underwater entrance and a cozy above water level feeding platform. Most of the winter is spent in the lodge sleeping and keeping warm and sometimes the lodge is even shared with other muskrats. </span><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #660000;"> Muskrats the live in areas devoid of abundant vegetation have another trick; they dig burrows into banks and create subterranean homes. </span>Predation hazards remain in winter for all muskrats; for they are hunted by mink and on days when muskrats venture above the ice or snow they can fall victim to red-tailed hawks. But for most of winter they are safe for they have another neat trick of adaption. Not long after the ice forms they chew though thin ice to create an opening and then build a tiny lodge of mud and vegetative matter on top of the ice known to wildlife biologists as "push-ups". The push-ups function as small feeding stations and secure resting areas when on underwater forays for food away from their main lodge. The push ups remind me of the back country shelters that add to the comfort and safety of hikers on the Appalachian Trail!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">To some the muskrat is nothing but a large pesky field mouse. But to those that know this amazing "water rat", it's a cleaver creature that makes the best of its harsh environment. The muskrat even has four chisel like teeth that protrude ahead of its cheeks and lips that seal tightly behind the teeth enabling this amazing well adapted creature to chew on vegetation underwater with its mouth closed or swim on the surface with a mouthful of veggies!</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkoQcMi2BtoG63FfBzMi9fgxoBB-nX3qR3VRuxeviJdd4iVE1A_-1_ep5hiOigarDr0HKN_drqxoUoCohmNEK2SSDKn4PC98upwnRjvgByp-FGBllD2s0XixFN65gn-2ta80a3d7ubMbb/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkoQcMi2BtoG63FfBzMi9fgxoBB-nX3qR3VRuxeviJdd4iVE1A_-1_ep5hiOigarDr0HKN_drqxoUoCohmNEK2SSDKn4PC98upwnRjvgByp-FGBllD2s0XixFN65gn-2ta80a3d7ubMbb/s640/IMG_2667.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-68628782271780684002013-12-01T08:52:00.000-05:002013-12-01T11:37:47.706-05:00Oakland County Coyote Nests? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Eastern coyote caught on my wildlife camera in Brandon Township, Michigan</b><br />
<b>(The mound behind the coyote is a large anthill) </b><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">The heading in The Oakland Press front page story screamed, "<b><span style="font-size: small;">2 Coyotes spotted in recent weeks</span></b>". I decided to sit down and read the story since there is absolutely nothing unusual about coyotes being in Oakland County. The eastern coyote, our native wild canid, is found in every county in the State of Michigan including our highly urbanized areas. So why the news story about a coyote being seen in Oakland County? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">I cringed as I read the rest of the story about coyotes in the Village of Lake Orion as if that was a rare event. The story included a police officer stating that he believed the "the coyote had a <u>nest</u> in someones backyard".And from the Lake Orion Village Police Chief ,"While coyote are typically afraid of humans the fact they are<b> nesting</b> closer to neighborhoods means they could get more comfortable with that environment." Fact of the matter is we are "nesting" in their habitat and have created a mecca of more good habitat for them with our landscaping techniques interspersed with woodlands and fields.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Coyotes are very much a part of the natural scene in Oakland County and are adapting to our ways faster than we learn about their ways. Sightings increase in December primarily because with leaves down we can see them! During summer and autumn the leafy cover of Oakland County provided great cover. As for coyote <u>nests</u>; I have seen bird nests and mouse nests and squirrel nests but never a coyote nest. Coyotes establish large territories and during spring dig dens for raising pups.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Want something to fear? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">Fear the texting and distracted drivers that infest our highways leading to injuries and deaths. Fear the drunk drivers. Fear aggressive off-leash dogs.When it comes to coyotes, learn about their behavior and how we should behave if we come in close contact. Rule number one is never ever run from a coyote. Keep them fearful of humans by standing your ground, yelling, throwing things and never ever giving access to a food source. Keep coyotes wild by respecting their wild ways!</span></div>
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<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-87704671294072306652013-11-27T07:58:00.001-05:002013-11-27T08:08:01.686-05:00A Salute to John Muir on Thanksgiving. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Beaver-felled black cherry tree in Oakland County, Michigan Nov 23, 2013</b><br />
<b>photo by Jonathan S. Schechter </b><br />
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<span style="color: saddlebrown;"><b>“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” - John Muir</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">John Muir was an keen-eyed early advocate of the preservation of wilderness in the United States. His words are timeless. His enthusiasm for nature's way and his understanding of the relationship of man to nature is evident to anyone that reads his words. There is a spiritual quality in his
writings that inspired readers and fueled the energy of early day and present day naturalists. No one can deny his writings helped create an awareness of wildness in America and was paramount in the early protection of wild tracks of land. On Thanksgiving Day why not take a walk in the woods and appreciate the wonders of our natural world, for as Muir so thoughtfully penned, <i>"When one tugs at a single thing in nature he finds it attached to the rest of the world." </i></span></b></div>
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<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-55043486411247964082013-11-22T17:22:00.001-05:002013-11-23T07:08:19.301-05:00ROSE OAKS COUNTY PARK: A trail tale of bluebirds and a beaver lodge. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rose Oaks County Park photos by Jonathan Schechter November/2013</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Rose Oaks County Park is a wildland gem of the Oakland County Park System, 640 acres of woodland and wetlands nestled away in the glacially sculpted landscape of northwestern Oakland County. Today's blog post supplements with photos my featured hiking column that appears in the Sunday, November 24 edition of The Oakland Press. The column can be found in the print edition and online at the Oakland Press website: <span style="color: red;">www.theoaklandpress.com</span> (Type my name in the search box and the most recent column appears) The Rose Oaks column explores the newly expanded equestrian-friendly trail system with special attention to a surprise encounter with eastern bluebirds.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">A casual glance may only reveal a beaver lodge with freshly gnawed sticks on top. But look up high on the left above the lodge and there perches a bluebird. One of the most pervasive misconceptions about bluebirds is that they all migrate south for winter. That facts confirmed by keen-eyed observers tell the true story; many bluebirds over winter right here in Oakland County in protected habitat that provide berries that persist well into winter. Rose Oaks County Park is such a place, a natural wonder of nature rich with berry producing shrubs, wetland swales and the meadows and forest edge that bluebirds love.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMbWgwm_Hj06FfWkoy5TIDKtDKzkzeMwNfWABvu1vz9-XzEmN27TSCyepHVTGCzGIg-Ad2uFDzNw4Qy5N6J0IOw3Ie9mp5rKFmf6uX1LY16Nra0vjDPXVy1HAOx10ltdFzVJxvKFdL2PN/s1600/IMG_8077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMbWgwm_Hj06FfWkoy5TIDKtDKzkzeMwNfWABvu1vz9-XzEmN27TSCyepHVTGCzGIg-Ad2uFDzNw4Qy5N6J0IOw3Ie9mp5rKFmf6uX1LY16Nra0vjDPXVy1HAOx10ltdFzVJxvKFdL2PN/s640/IMG_8077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">The bluebird now zoomed in on with a telephoto lens. The sky blue colors had been noted by Henry David Thoreau long ago when he penned his simple and accurate words,</span> <span style="color: blue;">"The bluebird carries the sky on his back".</span><span style="color: #660000;"> And on the gray November day I hiked the 4.5 miles or Rose Oak trails the sighting of bluebirds added happiness to my solo trek. When you hike with bluebirds you are not hiking alone.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47U2QvghHkUCFypSTbZFEDXuENHAvSIiWRTydKdbiGykw3puEaae34qV5TGAGWoZf4PBaoiM998aEA9RxxKKYACvbAaYsJG7p6pBsAO5XaJDXwy-rTlQMNheuhp5UX49q2vJHKb-b1C2d/s1600/IMG_8102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47U2QvghHkUCFypSTbZFEDXuENHAvSIiWRTydKdbiGykw3puEaae34qV5TGAGWoZf4PBaoiM998aEA9RxxKKYACvbAaYsJG7p6pBsAO5XaJDXwy-rTlQMNheuhp5UX49q2vJHKb-b1C2d/s640/IMG_8102.JPG" width="456" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"> Moments after spotting the first bluebird a downy woodpecker appeared behind the bluebird and set to work in the seasonal search for bugs and grubs behind the bark of the trees next to the beaver lodge</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvtssU6IzqPeSZbUO7uutj8oV7k6y3Ktblh3u60ETK0oOaKtIpcx4zbDHeoqcOhBbRf31E-e09wFHlmKydF1z7OC4yT1asdCJBcFtruiOO2gra1e3VKQN1KJj9wDoxLQ5O2jcXtbSrK2_/s1600/IMG_8104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvtssU6IzqPeSZbUO7uutj8oV7k6y3Ktblh3u60ETK0oOaKtIpcx4zbDHeoqcOhBbRf31E-e09wFHlmKydF1z7OC4yT1asdCJBcFtruiOO2gra1e3VKQN1KJj9wDoxLQ5O2jcXtbSrK2_/s640/IMG_8104.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="color: #660000;">LESSON LEARNED: An apparent desolate scene is just an illusion of human reality. Hike a trail with an eye for seeing and the world of nature comes alive even in the fading days of autumn. For details on exploring all 13 Oakland County Parks visit: <span style="color: red;">www.DestinationOakland.com </span></span><br />
<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-59015829351557844732013-11-09T14:38:00.000-05:002013-11-11T08:23:03.531-05:00A Swamp-Loving Tree of Smoky Gold<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Tamarack trees shimmer in smoky gold in an Oakland County wetland (photos by J. Schechter)</b><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">To the Chippewa the tree that turns smoky gold in later autumn was known as <b>'muckigwati'</b> a word that translated as<b> swamp tree.</b> And that name is just perfect for the tamarack is most commonly found in wetlands, swamps and sphagnum bogs of glacial origin. The tree is unique in the fact that although it resembles other evergreens during spring, summer and early autumn it is a <b>deciduous conifer</b> and sheds all its needles every year in late autumn. In Oakland County (Michigan) the tamaracks have just reached their transformation peek from pale green to smoky gold and are about to shed their needles! </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;">The tamarack holds the Latin name <b><i>Larix laricina </i></b><i>and</i><b><i> </i></b>is also known as the both the <b>eastern larch</b> and the <b>American larch.</b> </span></div>
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<b>Tamarack needles are in brush-like tufts and their cones are less than one inch long</b><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">According to Aboriginal Plant Use in Canada’s Northwest Boreal Forest the inner bark of tamarack is used as a poultice in treating wounds, frost bite,
boils and hemorrhoids an the outer bark is used as a treatment for arthritis and colds. A tea from the bark has been used as a tonic and laxative and skin ailments Old literature and notes mention that the inner bark when crushed has been used with success on sores and burns. My friend, Sakoieta Widrick, a native American and instructor of Aboriginal Studies and Mohawk Language in Ontario emphasized "The Indigenous nations use of trees, plants and
other grasses and bushes was only part of a healing formula. There was a
ceremony that had to be done, asking the tree for permission
to use it for healing purposes as well as taking those ingredients at
the proper time during a yearly cycle which would insure the medicinal
use was at its strongest. In this way medicines were used by the Native
people of North America."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEAyzOtuyLfwGdDlx9VKCVH1P3-SAvBSLz-go72ga7WWhWui1CbAzgiYRDJ3h_3odGJJjS_iskRAVkw9NfrYzXujp8KagEh7SYhq5PYKKItT2yea0Z2HV0VNEkY4TmOHFXx0lqkykwceF/s1600/IMG_3571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEAyzOtuyLfwGdDlx9VKCVH1P3-SAvBSLz-go72ga7WWhWui1CbAzgiYRDJ3h_3odGJJjS_iskRAVkw9NfrYzXujp8KagEh7SYhq5PYKKItT2yea0Z2HV0VNEkY4TmOHFXx0lqkykwceF/s640/IMG_3571.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<b>photos by Jonathan Schechter at Independence Oaks & Highland Oaks County Parks</b><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">There are few trees as beautiful as a tamarack suddenly laced in gold against a brilliant blue sky. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"> Sadly many humans are unaware of the natural seasonal transformation of the tamarack and wonder</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"> if perhaps a blight has yellowed their beloved evergreen when they note the rapid color change.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"> Others have gone a step further and cut down their trees; only to discover later their horrific error.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">And that is why I wrote this blog, to share the wonders of our swamp tree that turns smoky gold.</span></div>
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<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-85508966996903050122013-10-30T15:28:00.003-04:002013-10-30T15:34:41.440-04:00Roadside Cafe: Saga of a red-tailed hawk and a rabbit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>All photos by Jonathan Schechter 10/21/13 Brandon Township, Michigan</b><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>I was just a few hundred yards from my house driving home on my rural hard-packed dirt road when a sudden movement caught my eye; a large bird flew out of the ditch and landed in a tree perhaps 20 feet from where his take off point was located. I slowed as I approached and quickly noticed it was red-tailed hawk, a young one I think. As I reached for my camera in the car's back seat and squinted into the sunlight I could see he seemed to be swallowing </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>and something - a little piece of meat - dangled from his mouth. </b></span><br />
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<b> I <span style="color: #660000;">watched through the car window for another few minutes until the watchful hawk grew</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;"> uneasy at my roadside loitering and flew to the limb of another further away tree. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">I then drove slowly to the spot from which he had first appeared. </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>The facts on the ground told the rest of the story.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>A bloodied eastern cottontail rabbit was sprawled on his back in a most unglamorous pose and was most obviously the tasty late afternoon entree at this hawk's roadside cafe. The rabbit did not appear to be pancake-flat as is the usual case when crushed by a car. My best guess is the rabbit was captured at the edge of my neighbor's closely cropped lawn and dropped by the hawk when trying to fly with his heavy prey. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b> I left so the hawk could finish his fine dining at this Oakland County (Michigan)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b> all you can eat roadside cafe where all the food is fresh --- and served very rare.</b></span></td></tr>
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<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-67696424043650339692013-10-24T14:14:00.001-04:002013-10-24T14:22:07.667-04:0065 miles of trails: Hike your Oakland County Parks!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0jp192DklYRlvXrAa3KRt4ZIiTPwKzx5-QRx3SnfbdjdBuEzBHhgv5l8CBBVWA2EwYjNnY2OQn5AtsikdJj3x73StT_7Z5FG70fEbc-X822haeLub0cSv_t8VYCn8JNSN-H3VLgFLGM5/s1600/IMG_7671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0jp192DklYRlvXrAa3KRt4ZIiTPwKzx5-QRx3SnfbdjdBuEzBHhgv5l8CBBVWA2EwYjNnY2OQn5AtsikdJj3x73StT_7Z5FG70fEbc-X822haeLub0cSv_t8VYCn8JNSN-H3VLgFLGM5/s640/IMG_7671.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>photos by Jonathan Schechter </b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000;">The first snow flurries have laced the northern reaches of Oakland County. Nature's late October artistry is at her finest. The woods are alive with the refreshing scents, sounds and sensational smells of autumn. Go hike! You need not be a mountaineer, or rush off to a pricey outfitter for high tech equipment and survival gear to enjoy the trails. Just visit one of our Oakland County Parks and you will find an incredible mix of trails waiting for your feet. Many of the most popular trails are located at Addison (Addison has equestrian friendly trails) and Independence Oaks County Parks. There are trails that are paved and flat and perfect for slow paced strolls and there are glacial sculpted trails that are hilly and rough and great for muscle and lung conditioning jaunts into the wilder side of Oakland County. Or head to Rose Oaks for an even more primitive experience. Want to know more? Explore <b>www.DestinationOakland.com </b> for details on all 13 Oakland County Parks and links for park locations, trails, regulations and special events. </span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">Head for the hills and find your trail!</span></i></b></div>
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<b>Crooked Lake at Independence Oaks County Park</b></div>
Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-24489101858768137252013-10-16T12:45:00.001-04:002013-10-16T13:40:21.395-04:00Explore Oakland County Osprey on Sunday October 20th!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Osprey chick in an Oakland County nest: photo by Jonathan Schechter</b><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Program text by Oakland County Parks </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Once
nearly absent from our state, Michigan’s osprey population continues to
rebound.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b> Learn about the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
exciting efforts to track the </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>migration of these unique raptors and how
cell phone towers have helped their recovery </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>at <b>Ospreys and Backpacks</b> from <b>2 – 3:30 p.m. </b>on <b>Sunday, Oct. 20</b> at Wint Nature Center. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>The program is <b>free</b>. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>An Oakland County Parks daily or annual vehicle permit is required for
entry. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>While pre-registration is recommended at 248-858-0916 weekdays or
248-625-6473 Saturdays,</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b> walk-in guests are welcome. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Wint Nature Center is located in Independence Oaks County Park at 9501 Sashabaw Road</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b> in Clarkston. Take exit 89 from I-75 and head north 2.5 miles.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>For more nature education programs, visit:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b> <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTMxMDE2LjI0MTI2NjYxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDEzMTAxNi4yNDEyNjY2MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3ODIyMjk5JmVtYWlsaWQ9b2FrbmF0dXJlQGFvbC5jb20mdXNlcmlkPW9ha25hdHVyZUBhb2wuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&101&&&http://www.destinationoakland.com/Pages/CalendarList.aspx?View=%7BB07947B1-282A-45E3-8F55-F9A1A7BFB135%7D&FilterField1=Category&FilterValue1=Nature%20Education%20Programs" target="_blank">DestinationOakland.com</a>. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Hope you can join us! </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>-Oakland County Parks and Recreation Natural Resources Education Staff </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bfTcrfDqwtKCcN-QYWwjlAM9x7hniQhStNA6qz51paa6KHyehPECWrpOtOnvhtfmJUDlxgO1lMyD1um_zRsBNX-F-KT1is9eq2mTGtitQfS6rRw1OVjRs58VqW1ndFK6f6MK2oGjUHYn/s1600/IMG_4427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bfTcrfDqwtKCcN-QYWwjlAM9x7hniQhStNA6qz51paa6KHyehPECWrpOtOnvhtfmJUDlxgO1lMyD1um_zRsBNX-F-KT1is9eq2mTGtitQfS6rRw1OVjRs58VqW1ndFK6f6MK2oGjUHYn/s640/IMG_4427.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>photo of adult Oakland County osprey by Jonathan Schechter</b></div>
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<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-38694107242112583302013-10-02T20:38:00.000-04:002013-10-02T20:44:33.828-04:00Nature's signs confirms autumn's arrival<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq76cDxo6DombDa2wFqFnCNBWs89j6-9xsAEGK8m7HyxusiIJfdVXMenhmwzPthF-ZFsp72twHiI5CvOEV1dAZgefMxWt3hLbDaTvCajYYxDHu3eI8FStLDCr9xejn1IBNbtvmzxs4-ov/s1600/IMG_7088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq76cDxo6DombDa2wFqFnCNBWs89j6-9xsAEGK8m7HyxusiIJfdVXMenhmwzPthF-ZFsp72twHiI5CvOEV1dAZgefMxWt3hLbDaTvCajYYxDHu3eI8FStLDCr9xejn1IBNbtvmzxs4-ov/s640/IMG_7088.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Stick insect on scarlet-red leaves of staghorn sumac signal autumn.</b></span><br />
<b>All photos by Jonathan Schechter</b><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>You do not need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>or - signs of nature add emphasis to the calendar's proclamation.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b> Photos confirm the facts of nature's way:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b> Shaggy mane mushrooms spring up overnight in moist suburban lawns</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Aspen leaves turn scarlet-yellow </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">Jerusalem artichoke reach skyward.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Cicadas hum their final songs</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Sandhill cranes gather in their migration staging areas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">And when the tamarack trees turn smokey gold I'll be grabbing by backpack and heading for the northwoods, for I too must answer the call of the wilds as the days shorten.</span></div>
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Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5205370641350543258.post-4982308959089497272013-09-16T17:42:00.000-04:002013-09-16T19:45:30.462-04:00Cicadas and cicada killer wasps signal summer's end.<b><span style="font-size: small;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>ALL PHOTOS BY JONATHAN SCHECHTER </b><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>(An amazingly risky place for emergence from the exoskeleton) </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>With frost on the horizon and the harvest moon looming it's time for a final salute of goodbye</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b> to our cicadas, the most amazing and without doubt loudest insects of a summer waning. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b> Love them or hate them their impending silence signals a seasonal transition.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>A giant exoskeleton is an exciting trophy for a young child!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Happy cicada exoskeleton hunters!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">EASTERN CICADA KILLER WASP</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Many newly emerged cicadas live for just moments. Some are consumed by squirrels attracted by their chain saw like buzzing while others fall prey to another insect, the predatory eastern cicada killer wasp, a creature of nightmares if cicadas dream. This two inch long wasp paralyzes a cicada with a single sting but the worst is yet to come. The wasp half drags and half flies homes clutching its prey, a creature often heavier than than itself by dragging it up trees and then flying from the tree towards the burrow with the prey. Back at the burrow the paralyzed cicada is buried in an underground chamber and the cicada killer punctures the body and lays her eggs. A few days later the wasp grubs emerge and proceed to eat their dinner alive. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">So is the end of some cicadas in the final days of summer. </span></b></span></div>
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<br />Jonathan Schechterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07262880902596892098noreply@blogger.com0