Notes from the Field
Interesting Nature Facts #57 – Bunchberry Dogwood
When we think of dogwoods, we think of those beautiful stately trees or bushes found around North America, but even though it's tiny, the lowly bunchberry is a groundcover plant found in a wide variety of habitats from our coastlines to the edge of the Arctic tundra...
Interesting Nature Facts #56 – Sea Lions
Sea Lions! Welcome to the next installment of a new series of nature photos that will be short & sweet, and all about the native and naturalized wildlife that is all around us with just one or two interesting nature facts that you might not know about. If you want...
Interesting Nature Facts #55 – Foxes
Foxes are digitigrade, which means they walk on their toes. Unlike most members of the Canidae family, foxes have partially retractable claws. MORE PHOTOS OF MAMMALS MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about the flora, fauna and places...
Interesting Nature Facts #54 – Texas Toad
Common in Texas, Oklahoma and Northern Mexico, the Texas toad is the state amphibian of Texas and while living in a hot environment, can go dormant in the hottest months of the year by burying itself in mud or cooler soils until conditions become favorable again. MORE...
Interesting Nature Facts #53 – Frogs
Frogs can't swallow with their eyes open, and don't drink - they absorb water through their skin! MORE PHOTOS OF AMPHIBIANS MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about the flora, fauna and places that make North America so amazing. Posts...
Interesting Nature Facts #52 – Snakes
Snakes do not have a sternum. Floating ribs allow them to move side to side and swallow prey larger than their heads. MORE PHOTOS OF SNAKES MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about the flora, fauna and places that make North America so...
Interesting Nature Facts #51 – Brown Pelican
The brown pelican is the only species of pelicans that feeds by plunge-diving. The other pelicans scoop fish into their bills while swimming on the surface of the water. MORE PHOTOS OF PELICANS MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about...
Interesting Nature Facts #50 – Doves and Pigeons
Unlike most birds, both sexes of doves and pigeons produce "crop milk" to feed to their young, secreted by a sloughing of fluid-filled cells from the lining of the crop. MORE PHOTOS OF BIRDS MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about the...
Interesting Nature Facts #49 – Pine Lily
Also known as the Catesby's lily, the pine lily has the largest flower of any North American lily. In Florida, it is a state-listed threatened species. MORE PHOTOS OF LILIES MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about the flora, fauna and...
Interesting Nature Facts #48 – Indian Paintbrush
Native peoples around the continent have historically used the flowers of the Indian Paintbrush as a condiment for green salads, a hair tonic, and for various medicinal uses, but ingestion is generally not considered to be a good idea as it can be toxic in even low...
Interesting Nature Facts #47 – Bald Eagles
Bald eagles build the largest tree nests of any animal species, up to 4 m (13 ft) deep, 2.5 m (8.2 ft) wide, and 1 metric ton in weight. MORE PHOTOS OF BIRDS OF PREY MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about the flora, fauna and places...
Interesting Nature Facts #46 – Hawks
Normal vision for people is 20/20. A hawk's vision is equivalent to 20/5. This means that the hawk can see from 20 feet what most people can see from 5 feet. MORE PHOTOS OF BIRDS OF PREY MORE INTERESTING NATURE FACTS Interesting Nature Facts is a series about the...