Fun fact, Black Bears birth a litter of 1 to 3 cubs, are born at 7 to 9 oz while their mother sleeps. No other northern mammal gives birth during such harsh cold weather. #FunFactFriday
Ready to take down the Ready to take down the Christmas tree? Christmas trees make great cover near birdfeeders, consider leaving yours outside for wintering birds!
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Wisconsin's largest butterfly, with a wingspan of almost six inches, the Giant Swallowtail is most common in the southern US but often wanders into Wisconsin. It's typically seen in late July as native plants like ironweed and joe-pye weed begin to bloom. (photo Ruth Forsgren)
While vibrant against the rest of their bodies, the neck feathers of the male ruby-throated hummingbird aren't really red. They're designed to interact with light and produce the iridescent red flash the birds are known for. (photo credits Ruth Forsgren)
American Kestrels are North America's smallest falcon. Like all falcons they are built for speed. Living in open areas, Kestrels diet includes lots of insects, small rodents, small birds and snakes. (photo credit Ruth Forsgren)
Flowers like purple coneflower aren't one flower but a group of many flowers. What we refer to as the petals are known as a ray flower and the center is a grouping of disc flowers. Look carefully, you can see the tiny flowers within the head of the coneflower. Photo Ruth Forsgren
Both dragonflies and damselflies are beneficial insects, eating pests like mosquitoes. This Twelve-spotted Skimmer will land with their wings out to the side while damselflies will hold their wings together above their back. (photo credit Ruth Forsgren)
Hey, did you know Beaver Creek Reserve has a YouTube channel? And we have two weekly series going right now? Sounds like a great time to check out Trailside Treasures with Ruth and Butterfly House Tours with Megan!
youtube.com/channel/UCv5PN4I…
It's hard to believe it, but by mid-July some migrating birds begin returning to their wintering grounds. Birds like these Least Sandpipers nest in the far northern boreal forest up to the tundra and winter in the southern United States and Central America. (photo Ruth Forsgren)
Butterflies don't have mouths but a proboscis that when not in use is curled up. When they eat nectar it unrolls and is dipped into the flower. The proboscis doesn't work like a drinking straw but more like a paper towel absorbing the nectar into its cells. (photos Ruth Forsgren)