Winter passes slowly for wildlife and for humans, but the longer days tell us that spring is only a few weeks away. Soon your favorite species will emerge from hibernation or return from long migrations to warmer climates. Better weather will trigger the mating season for many creatures and finding a home for rearing their… Read more
Most of us have a weak spot for a particular wild creature, one that appeals to us as beautiful, cuddly or endangered. For me it is the Rocky Mountain elk, one of North America’s most impressive mammals. Other people might favor the common loon, a baby bear, or the grey wolf. But some folks become… Read more
Soft-shell clams You’ve seen them out there in the coves and bays, just like mailmen in their disregard for the sun, wind, cold and rain. They are bent over double with a short-handled, long-tined rake or hoe in hand, digging up row after row of wet, heavy mud. Their rubber hip boots are covered in… Read more
On a blustery January day, Andy and I laid in the snow-filled corn field for several hours among our goose decoys with nothing to show for our efforts but chilled toes and fingers. Occasionally we would see a V-shaped flock high in the distance, but our calling had little effect on birds that… Read more
In the autumn I spend a lot of time perched in trees. Deer hunting is mostly a good excuse for watching and listening to the sights and sounds of nature. As I approach a tree stand, the forest around me goes silent. If I remain still, things return to normal within a few minutes and… Read more
At a snail’s pace, I belly-crawled down the bank toward the beaver pond. Pushing a fresh aspen branch in front of me, I screened my approach as much as possible. The big male eyed me from the water, clearly uncertain how to respond to this unusual visit. Nearly breathless with anticipation, I felt some of… Read more
Late April often finds me planting bare-root saplings at our old farm where we’re converting a hay field into prime wildlife habitat. On my knees scraping soil back into a hole I saw a flash of blue high in the nearby hedgerow. Was this a new floater in my aging eyes? Turning my head I… Read more
Let’s test your wildlife knowledge: what is the heaviest arthropod on Earth? Too obscure for you? Ok, what is the longest crustacean out of roughly forty thousand different species in the world? Still not sure? Well, I’m certain every reader will know which creature has the biggest financial impact on Maine’s economy. That’s right; it’s… Read more
Mallard (John Berry photo) Yes, a duck loved me – and I loved her. In fact it was four ducks and I loved all of them. They were mallards, beautiful birds and quite friendly. The love affair took place many years ago when I was around eight years old. For Easter our parents brought home… Read more
Buttonbush with Viceroy butterfly (Leslie R Ramey photo) Many of you have an interest in attracting a variety of wildlife to your yards, and you also want to add color and texture to your landscaping in an environmentally sound manner. People are increasingly aware that using exotic imported plants can cause problems for our local… Read more