SOLAR-POWERED FLASHTAGS TO DETER PREDATION FlashTags are motion-activated, solar-powered ear tags developed by Utah State University to protect sheep and cattle from predators like wolves, coyotes, and grizzly bears. They emit random light patterns at night to mimic human presence, significantly reducing livestock mortality. Trials show reduced attacks. https://www.northernag.net/flashing-ear-tags-show…/ Cool. A neat solution. Five Missouri …
Rufous-thighed Hawk
Currently this is considered a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Photographed in Uruguay, this is the erythronemius subspecies, which will eventually be known as the “Rufous-thighed Hawk.” The work of Therese Catanach found it to be basal to all other Sharp-shinned hawk populations in the Americas. The next closest relative is the Old World Eurasian Sparrowhawk. The work …
Lithospheric Drip.
Using modeling of the river networks, they identified and measured the bullseye pattern of uplift around the mountains—the telltale “fingerprint” of a lithospheric drip. They also found that the crust beneath the Uinta Mountains is several kilometers thinner than expected for a mountain range of its height, which the team say is consistent with dense …
Boston’s urban ecosystem
It sounds exaggerated at first. But extreme cold can briefly change the rules of an entire city. Coyotes are already a permanent part of Boston’s urban ecosystem. They swim rivers, follow green corridors, and move mostly at night. When severe cold hits, shallow waterways, marsh edges, and sheltered coves can partially freeze, turning water from …
Nasty Stuff.
THE POOP IS A BIO-WEAPON. The snow is melting. The yard is revealing its secrets. You see a pile of droppings near the woodpile or the base of the big oak tree. You think: “Gross. I’ll let the rain wash it away.” STOP. Do not ignore it. That is likely a Raccoon Latrine. And it …
A Sting Jet
One interesting thing about this storm is that after it pulled offshore this morning the storm began rapid intensification and formed something known as a “Sting Jet”. This did happen over water and in North America this practically never affects land outside of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and they are rare, but in the North …
Another shot of Local Boy
Peregrine Falcon Eastern Passage, Feb 3rd
Ecoregions of USA
Ecoregions of USA I love these kinds of maps but I don’t take them too seriously. The definitions shift and mutate too much.
The Squirrel Hawker
Her The Squirrel Hawker channel with 146 videos Steve likely would have been in on this while in MA.
Iguanas
Here is ONE positive of the cold! Cold-stunned iguanas! The animals get very slow or “freeze” when the temperatures drop below 50ºF.This creates a great opportunity to collect this invasive species as they are very difficult to chase down when they are fully awake & definitely not the most pleasant to hold & catch.Yesterday, sheriffs …