ECO Time

January 24 - Polar Bear

2012-01-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) - native largely within the Arctic Circle, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear. Polar bears are listed as a vulnerable species and are in serious danger because of global warming and decades of large scale hunting.

Rising temperatures are causing unprecedented melting of sea ice, especially in the summer months when polar bears are most active. They depend on the sea ice as habitat for hunting and denning. As available sea ice decreases, they are forced to swim farther and farther to find food.

January 1 - Great Gray Owl

2012-01-01T01:12:00.000-08:00

Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) - In terms of body length and large wingspan, the Great Gray Owl is the world's largest owl. However, they are outweighed by several other owl species even though they are larger in size. They live in dense coniferous forests near open spaces such as meadows or bogs in North America. Their populations are found mostly along the Pacific Northwest from Alaska as far south as the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

Great Gray Owls do not build nests, so typically they will use nests previously used by a large bird. They will also nest in broken-topped and cavities of large trees. They are silent stalkers with a very acute sense of hearing. During the winter they can hear the scurry of a mouse under two feet of snow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-22T09:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas waves a magic wand over the world, and behold,
everything is soft, peaceful and bright.

May the good times and treasures of the present,
become the golden memories that carry you through 2012.

Wishing you a season of love, joy and happiness.

Merry Christmas

December 20/21 - Winter Solstice

2011-12-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

(Photo by Marilyn Jarrett)

Cardinal Duet - Both male and female cardinals sing all year long, and sometimes they will sing together. The female's song is slightly softer than the male, and they have countless song variations.

Solstice (Northern) - Although December 21 is considered the 'First Day of Winter', the precise time the solstice occurs will be at 5:30 UTC as the sun passes directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.

December 9/10 - Full Lunar Eclipse

2011-12-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Full Lunar Eclipse - A lunar eclipse will peak early on December 10 at 2:32 UTC. It coincides with the December Full Moon for a total lunar eclipse that should be quite spectacular. The full white moon will slowly fade to black, and then at the peak of the eclipse, the moon will begin to glow a reddish-orange color. Then slowly slivers of the moons white glow will appear once again.

December 2 - Lean Wolf

2011-12-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

Lean Wolf - Wolves hunt in packs, which enables them to trap and kill larger prey. However, their success rate averages only about 14-25 percent, so they usually go for long periods of time without eating.

November 28 - American Buffalo

2011-11-28T12:42:00.000-08:00

Bison (aka American Buffalo) - The surviving species of American Buffalo can be found in the Great Plains of North America. Nomadic grazers, they travel in herds and can move at speeds up to 35 mph and cover long distances at a lumbering gallop. Hunted close to extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries, they have since rebounded. The American plains bison is no longer listed as endangered, but the wood bison is still on the endangered species list in Canada.

During winter they grow heavy coats to endure the long cold months. They have a simple diet of grass, but must travel through snow to find patches of grass during the winter. During heavy snow falls, they have been know to eat twigs and shrubs if the snow is too deep to reach the grass.

November 22 - Aurora View

2011-11-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) - This phenomenon takes place throughout the year, but the lights can only be observed against a night sky.

This beautiful display of colorful lights can be seen by those living in Northern countries of the earth.

11∙11∙11 - Once in a Century

2011-11-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

Today's one-derful date holds special meaning, and not just because we wont see it again for another hundred years.

Power Number - One and two symbolize masculine and feminine energy, respectively, with one deemed as "the creator." When repeated, one becomes 11, which is considered the Master Number, representing rebirth and new beginnings. Prompting an estimated 57,000 wedding ceremonies will take place today.

Good Vibrations - With the presence of three 11s in the date, energy is strongly at play—promoting awareness, cooperation and healing on a global scale. Today, a movement called Global Cause for Peace is asking spiritual communities around the world to gather in ritual, prayer and meditation to harness today's harmonious energy and raise the global vibration.

Keeping the Peace - Today is also Veterans Day (Armistice Day ), marking the end of World War I, when Germany and the Allied nations called for resolution on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Make a wish!

November 3 - Fiery Branches

2011-11-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

Tupelo (aka Black Gum) trees, are easy to spot in early fall. Their leaves are among the first to change, producing brilliant shades from scarlet red to vibrant orange.

September 30 - Hidden Lake

2011-09-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hidden Lake - located in Glacier National Park, in the US state of Montana. Hidden Lake is surrounded by numerous mountain peaks, and it's a popular destination to the overlook point, which is a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) hike from Logan Pass.

Photographers from all over the world are drawn here to its majestic beauty, and to catch a glimpse of the numerous wildlife that live here, including bears, moose and mountain goats.

First Day of Autumn!

2011-09-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

"Come little leaves"

said the wind one day,

"Come to the meadows

with me and play. Put on

your dresses of red and

gold; for summer is past,

and the days grow cold."

- George Cooper

September 9 - Little Hoot

2011-09-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

ELF OWL - (Micrathene whitneyi) is the smallest owl in North America, and the lightest owl in the world. Even with a wingspan of 10.6 inches (27 cm), it's only a mere 5 inches (12.7 cm) in height, & weighs no more than 1.5 ounces (42 g)!

Elf Owls carve out a small hole to build thier nests. They prefer tree tops, or a tall cactus to keep them up away from predators.

August 12 - Lingering Light

2011-08-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

Lingering Light - Because of Earth's tilt, the Sun's path in northern latitudes is longer during the summer months, resulting in the longest lingering twilights of the year.

Perseids - The Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 13. However, the Moon may interfere with observation.

August 3 - Head Butt

2011-08-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

Head Butt - During mating season, rams butt heads in fights that can last up to 20 hours. Their skulls are adapted to absorb the shock of these brawls. When they collide, the crash can be heard up to a mile away.

July 28 - Feathered Friends

2011-07-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Feathered Friends - A bird's plumage serves several functions. Feathers are light and strong, keeping a bird warm and insulated from cold air and water.

Feathers also streamline their body to reduce friction when flying or swimming.

July 22 - Painted Pile

2011-07-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

Painted Turtle - (Chrysemys picta) This freshwater pond turtle enjoys piling onto a single log to bask in the sun. These fast movers can dart away quickly at any sign of danger.

July 14 - Edelweiss

2011-07-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Edelweiss - (Leontopodium alpinum) A well-known European flower found in rocky, limestone areas of the Alpine region of many countries. It's name is derived from the German words Edel (meaning "Noble") and Weiss (meaning "white"), or noble purity. It's blooming season begins in July, and continues through September each year. The bloom of the Edelweiss is used on the Austrian euro coin, and it's also a symbol for many tourism organizations. Edelweiss is the unofficial national flower of Switzerland.

The Rogers & Hammerstein song "Edelweiss" made the flower famous the world over after it appeared in the 1959 musical "The Sound of Music".

EDELWEISS

"Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever."

June 30 - Baby Back

2011-06-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Baby Loon chicks often hitch a ride on the mother's back, gaining protection from predators such as snapping turtles and larger birds. This also gives them a much needed rest from swimming.

Bee Happy!

2011-06-21T09:16:00.001-07:00

The Piemaker

Pushing Daises Cast

Ahh.... the first day of summer! And I am reminded of one of my favorite TV shows. Nothing evokes images of summer more than these photos from "Pushing Daisies"!

BEE HAPPY!!

May 17 - Flower Moon

2011-05-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

Flower Moon - The full moon for the month of May is called the Flower Moon. With the warming weather, spring flowers burst into bloom. Native Americans called this full moon the "Corn Planting Moon" since the the soil had warmed enough to dig and plant the corn by the light of the moon.

Leo the Lion - This constellation has a boxy body and a sickle-shaped head comprising some of the Northern Hemisphere's brighter stars.

May 11 - Giant Sequoia

2011-05-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

Giant Sequoia - During the Eocene epoch period (56-34 million years ago) several tree species in the genus Sequoiadendron were widespread across North America and Europe. Today only 60-77 groves of this one species (Giant Sequoia), remain in California. Notice how the giant trees tower far above the people on the ground.

General Grant - The General Grant tree is the largest Giant Sequoia in the General Grant Grove of Kings Canyon National Park in California. President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed it the "Nation's Christmas Tree" on April 28, 1926. The General Grant is the 2nd largest tree (by volume) in the world, next to the General Sherman, which is also located in Kings Canyon National Park.

May 3 - Follow the Leader

2011-05-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Bighorn Sheep - As the seasons change, flocks of wild sheep migrate to new grazing areas. There is usually one ram, or mature male who the others in the flock will follow.

April 29 - Heavy Head

2011-04-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Heavy Head - Moose begin to go into velvet (grow antlers) in early spring. Their antlers will continue to grow throughout the summer months. On an adult bull these antlers can eventually weigh up to 40 pounds once they are fully grown in autumn.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

2011-04-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy of Henrik Neijman)

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Take a pledge to be more "Green" and help keep our planet healthy.

Think Ecologically - The 3 R's!

April 15 - Rabbit Ears

2011-04-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

Rabbit Ears - A rabbits' long ears give them acute hearing in defense against predators. When they sense danger, the send warning signals - thumping the ground with their feet or flashing their white tails as they run.

April 8 - Forest Fawn

2011-04-08T11:26:00.001-07:00

Dappled Spots - White-tailed deer fawns have reddish brown coats with white spots that allow them to blend in with the light patches on the forest floor. They will lose their spots by Summer.

April 4 - Saturn Returns

2011-04-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

Spring Sky - When we look into the sky on spring nights, we are looking away from the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Therefore, we see fewer stars; they are far beyond our galaxy.

Saturn at Opposition - On April 4, Saturn is at opposition with the Sun and can be sen throughout the night. It is also in its closest positioning with the Earth for the year.

(photo courtesy of Astro Bob)

Saturn Joins Evenings - Saturn exits the morning sky, and can now be seen in the evenings. It will remain visible in the evening sky through late September.

March 19/20 - Vernal Equinox

2011-03-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

Vernal Equinox - On March 20 at 23:21 UTC, the Sun will be directly over the Earth's equator. This is the point in time when we officially enter "Spring" in the Northern Hemisphere.

Brightest Moon - On Saturday 3/19, we will have the brightest and biggest Full Moon in 20 years! It will occur just 1 hour from perigee, when the Moon is at its closest orbital point to Earth.

March 11 - Star Flicker

2011-03-11T13:56:00.001-08:00

Star Flicker - Stars flicker because we see them through the distortion of winter's turbulent atmosphere. Brighter stars will appear to flicker more on darker nights.

March 7 - Lovely Fir

2011-03-07T03:07:00.000-08:00

Lovely Fir - The Pacific Silver Fir (Abies amabilis), commonly referred to as the Lovely Fir, is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. It grows at altitudes of sea level to 1,500 m in the north range (Alaska) to 2,300 m in the south of the range, always in temperate rain forest with relatively high precipitation and cool, humid summers.

Pacific Silver Firs can carry the same needles for up to 53 years. They have unique cones that are dark purple in color before maturity, and then turn to a silvery blue color with age.

Jupiter/Moon - These two celestial bodies appear together at sunset on Monday, March 7th.

(photo courtesy of NASA images)

February 28 - Melting Ice

2011-02-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

Melting Ice - Snow on a frozen lake reflects light, allowing the lake to stay frozen. When the snow melts, the ice acts like glass in a greenhouse, warming the lake water and melting the ice from the bottom up.

February 20 - Kinglet Coat

2011-02-20T05:57:00.000-08:00

Kinglet Coat - The golden-crowned kinglet stays in New England's northern woods for the winter. It survives the cold with an extra-warm winter coat that has four times more insulation feathers than flight feathers.

February 13 - Light Foot

2011-02-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

Light Foot - Wolves have slightly webbed toes that give them an advantage when hunting heavier hoofed prey, such as elk or deer, in the snow. They attack at nightfall, when cooler temperatures create a snow crust, which their paws are less likely to fall through.

February 7 - Seed Searchers

2011-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Seed Searchers - Cardinals and finches live in northern coniferous forests and are adapted to snow and extreme cold temperatures. They search among forests to find trees that have produced the most seeds this year.

January 31 - Winter Irruption

2011-01-31T09:37:00.000-08:00

Winter Irruption - Some birds make an appearance one winter and are nowhere to be found the next. Blue jays, rose-colored starlings, and several finch species are examples of these irruptive birds.

January 20 - White-tailed deer

2011-01-20T13:22:00.000-08:00

White-tailed deer - Native to the United States, and also found in Canada, Mexico, Central & South America. The white-tail has a four-part stomach. It can survive winter in cold northern forests by feeding on vegetation that most other animals cannot digest.

January 18 - Snow Squall

2011-01-18T12:34:00.000-08:00

Snow Squall - Snow flurries consist of light snow falling for short durations; add strong, gusting winds and flurries become a squall.

(Photo courtesy of Andy Colwell)

A snow squall swept through the PennState University campus, and deposited about an inch of fluffy snow.

January 10 - Snowpack

2011-01-10T12:59:00.000-08:00

Rising Snow - Constructive metamorphism occurs when water vapor rises toward the surface, changing the snowpack's vertical structure.

Packed Snow - Firnification occurs when ice crystals melt, then refreeze, greatly increasing the density of the snowpack.

Unstable Ground - Snowpack is made up of layers piled on from each winter storm. Avalanches are likely to occur when weaker layers are buried toward the bottom of the pack.

(Photo by Tom Painter - Sampling of dust layers in the snowpack of the Upper Colorado River Basin by the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies and the Snow Optics Laboratory/NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.)

January 3 - Perihelion

2011-01-02T15:04:00.000-08:00

Perihelion - On January 3 at 19:00 UTC, Earth reaches its closest orbital point to the Sun for this year. It will reach 91.4 million miles from the Sun, which is 3.1 million miles closer than when it is at its farthest point (aphelion), in July.

Solar Eclipse - A partial solar eclipse will be visible in most of Europe on January 4 at 09:15 UTC.

December 21 - Winter Solstice

2010-12-20T00:38:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice - On December 21, at 23:38 UTC, the Sun passes directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. This is when Winter officially begins in the Northern hemisphere.

Lunar Eclipse - A total lunar eclipse will peak on December 21, with the total phase starting at 07:40 UTC. It may be seen from parts of the Americas, Asia, Europe and western Africa.

December 8 - Winter Storms

2010-12-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

Winter Storms - When masses of air with different temperatures, pressures and moisture levels converge at a front, winter storms occur. The air in the low-pressure areas move upward into cooler atmospheric regions, where water vapor condenses and falls as snow or sleet.

Severe winter storms can cover entire regions with ice and snow, like this NASA image of the North Eastern United States.

250,000 - THANK YOU!

2010-12-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

(photo courtesy of National Geographic)

I was surprised to see that I have received 250,000 visits to my ECO Time blog. Thank you to everyone who has stopped by over the last few years!

November 25 - Wild Turkey

2010-11-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

Wild Turkey - (Meleagris gallopavo) is native to North America, and is the heaviest member of the Order Galliformes. Turkeys have a long, dark, fan-shaped tail and glossy bronze wings. The long fleshy object over a males beak is called a snood. When excited, a male turkey's head turns blue, when ready to fight it turns red. The male is substantially larger than the female, and his feathers have areas of red, purple, green, copper, bronze, and gold iridescence.

Significance to Native Americans: The Wild Turkey, throughout its range, is a bird known to have played a significant role in the day-to-day lives of Native American tribes all over North America. Outside of the Thanksgiving feast, it was a favorite meal in Eastern tribes. Eastern Native American tribes consumed both the eggs and meat, sometimes turning the latter into a type of jerky to preserve it and make it last through cold weather. The feathers of turkeys also often made their way into the rituals and headgear of many tribes.

November 11 - Stealth Statue

2010-11-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

Stealth Statue - Instead of flying to search for food, bald eagles conserve energy by standing still and watching for prey. They are also experts at stealing food from other predatory birds, like this bald eagle who snatched a fish in mid-flight.

High Flyer - The world's highest-flying birds are bar-headed geese, which traverse the Himalayas at 29,500 feet.

October 11 - Color Change

2010-10-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

Color Change - Senescence is the process by which deciduous trees withdraw chemicals and water from their leaves. When the green chlorophyll is gone, the leaves change into a myriad of colors.

When all the chemicals have been withdrawn, the leaf's attachment to the stem is so weak that it will fall in a gentle wind.

September 30 - Grizzly Meal

2010-09-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Unlikely Meal - In the early autumn, grizzly bears will climb unusually high altitudes to feast on moths among the tundra of talus slopes.

This additional food source is important for the bears to store fat to survive the long cold winter months ahead.

September 23 - Happy Autumn!

2010-09-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Autumnal Equinox - Early on September 23 at 03:09 UTC, the Sun will be directly over Earth's equator. This is the official start of Autumn!

THE AUTUMN MONTHS SPLENDOR

The Autumn Months Melody
The hot summer days are gone and rolled by
The cool autumn months have once again arrived
The autumn majestic spirit permeates the land
It is another new day of autumn
The far sun above the horizon sends its rays and gentle warmth
on the valleys, mountains and hamlets
Nature has dressed in beautiful colors
The jolly trees are painted with red, yellow and brown
The autumn trees adorn the valleys and mountains that hug the skies
It is a portrait of panoramic dazzle
The brisk wind blows over the meadows
The cool wind sweeps the plains and fields
The tall trees dance and bow gently in grace
The tree branches hiss, swing and sway
The shivering leaves quiver with the wind
The green pastures are dotted with a mosaic
of dried brownish scattered leaves
Joining autumn happy symphony
The singing joyous birds, the playful beavers
The swimming silver fish in the water streams
All bring a solemn joy
The sun slowly climbs the immense skies
The autumn patchy clouds cast their shadows on the peaceful land
All painting an awesome picture of beauty, love and harmony
How beautiful are the melodies and splendor of the autumn months!

By Sherif Monem

Harvest Moon - September 23 also welcomes the Harvest Moon. The full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. The full moon will rise soon after sunset on several consecutive evenings.

September 10 - Chimney Swift

2010-09-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

Falling Flyers - Unlike most birds, chimney swifts cannot take off from horizontal surfaces; instead they drop from their perch or nest to take flight. They find chimneys a very suitable place to build their nests in the Spring-Summer months. It provides shelter from the wind, and gives them a nice vertical drop to take flight. At the end of summer they begin their migration back to Peru before the chimneys again come into use for the fall/winter months.

September 3 - Mega Flocks

2010-09-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Mega Flocks - More than 100 million seabirds crowd the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska each summer. Drawn by the productivity of the temperate, nutrient rich water stirred up by stormy seas, birds can feast on fish in the brief warmth of the season.

Current Influences - Northern Hemisphere oceans typically experience the year's highest sea temperatures in the late summer. Massive ocean currents shift warmer water to and from the surface. Shifts in sea surface temperature can trigger drastic weather systems.

August 25 - Rock Formations

2010-08-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Pedestal - A pedestal is a top-heavy rock, whose apex is wider than its slender neck. Differential weathering and undercutting by wind over time creates this unique formation.

Mesa - A mesa stands distinctly above the surrounding country, an elevated area with a flat top and steep sides. It is common in arid and semiarid regions of North America.

Butte - A butte is similar to a mesa, but much smaller. Erosion wears away softer rock that underlies a cap of hard rock.

August 17 - Sand Dunes

2010-08-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

Transverse Dune - Resembles the ripples of sand on a beach. The ripples of sand migrate with the wind, progressing forward as their leeward faces release sand.

Barchan Dune - A more pronounced, crescent shaped dune with a sharp ridge.

August 12 - Perseids Peak

2010-08-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

Perseids Peak - The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak tonight on August 12, with the most spectacular showing.

The name derives in part from the word Perseides (Περσείδες), a term found in Greek mythology referring to the descendants of Perseus. The stream of debris is called the Perseid cloud and stretches along the orbit of the comet Swift-Tuttle.

August 6 - Sunflower

2010-08-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

Sunflower - (Helianthus annuus) What is commonly called the flower or bloom is actually a head of numerous florets bunched together. The outer florets are the ray florets and can be yellow, orange, or other colors. The florets inside the circular head are called disc florets, which mature into seeds.

Sunflowers in the early bud stage exhibit heliotropism. At sunrise, the faces of most sunflowers are turned towards the east. Over the course of the day they follow the sun from east to west, while at night they return to an eastward orientation. This motion is performed by motor cells in the pulvinus, a flexible segment of the stem just below the bud. As the bud stage ends, the stem stiffens and the blooming stage is reached.

July 28 - Dolphin Distress

2010-07-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Dolphin Distress - When a dolphin is injured or sick and cannot surface to breathe, it emits a two-part whistle that signals other dolphins to lift it to the surface. Dolphins will push ailing pod mates to the surface for weeks.

July 15 - Ponderosa Pine

2010-07-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ponderosa Pine - In the summer months, especially on warm days, the bark of the ponderosa pine tree emits a distinctive vanilla scent. The older the tree is, the stronger its scent will be.

Fire Fan - Wildfires can spread quickly by creating a self-perpetuating chain reaction. As the temperature around the fire increases, air near the fire warms and rises, creating winds that fan the flames. Hot fires manufacture their own weather systems.

June 17 - Fireflies

2010-06-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

Lightning Bugs - Mid-June is the best time to observe the bright bio-luminescence of the synchronous fireflies of the eastern United States. This is the only species who can coordinate their flashing light patterns.

I remember as a kid running around the yard at night with my mason jar catching lightening bugs.

June 4 - Jellyfish EnMasse

2010-06-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

Jellyfish EnMasse - Jellyfish numbers around the world are increasing, partly due to overfishing and the by-catch of their predators and competitors. Climate change may also play a part in the rapid increases of Jellyfish in the worlds oceans.

Lunar Jellies - Box jellyfish swarm the leeward coasts of Hawaii nine to ten days after a full Moon.

May 11 - Trumpeter Swan

2010-05-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

Trumpeter Swan - (Cygnus buccinator) The largest native bird in North America, and on average it is the largest living waterfowl species on Earth. Their breeding habitat is large shallow ponds and wide slow rivers in northwestern and central North America, with the largest numbers of breeding pairs found in Alaska.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Trumpeter Swan was hunted heavily for sport and for its snow white feathers. It is very sensitive to lead poisoning as well, and this only escalated their rapid decline in numbers.

Conservation efforts to reintroduce this bird to its original range has only had modest success. However, over the past 30 years the three most populated regions in North America have shown sustained growth, with signs of continued increases in recent years.

Grey-headed Flying Fox

2010-04-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) - A fruit bat native to Australia. They are brown, with varying shades of grey on their head and back. Although mainland Australia has 75 different species of bats, the 4 species of fruit bats are the largest with some being the largest known bats in the world. They have a wingspan of 1m (over 3ft) wide. Although mating happens year round, the female will only produce one baby in April. They have a lifespan in the wild of 15-20 years.

Around dusk, the bats will leave their roost to travel at night to feed on pollen, nectar and fruit. This amazing natural phenomenon is a spectacular sight as thousands of bats leave their colonies from trees along the coastal region. Grey-headed Flying Foxes can be seen roosting in the trees of the Royal Botanic Gardens and urban parks in Sydney.

Sydney Bats - click on this link 'Flying Fox' to see an Australian website for more information on this threatened and vulnerable species.

April 12 - Earthshine

2010-04-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

Earthshine - Sunlight reflected from the Earth, especially reflected to the Moon and back again. For a few days before and after New Moon, this doubly reflected earthshine is powerful enough to make the whole Moon visible.

April 6 - Small Frys

2010-04-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

Small Frys - Butterflies that emerge from their chrysalises in spring are often smaller than those that emerge in summer or fall. These early butterflies have spent the winter as a chrysalis in a dormant state called diapause.

March 10 - Bulky Beaver

2010-03-10T09:09:00.001-08:00

Bulky Beaver - The North American beaver is one of the largest rodents in the world. They are the largest species of beaver, and are only second to the capybara of Central and South America, which are the largest rodents on Earth.

Buoyant Hair - Each hair of a beaver's coat has a medulla, a central core of dead cells containing air that aids in insulation for warmth, and buoyancy in the water.

February 22 - Jug Handle

2010-02-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

Jug Handle - To conserve heat in cold waters, the sea lion will raise their uninsulated flippers to stick out above the water's surface. The arc this forms can resemble the handle of a jug.

February 8 - Panda Winter

2010-02-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

Wakeful Winter - Giant pandas' diet consists almost exclusively of bamboo. Because this grass is so incredibly nutrient poor, pandas are not able to store enough fat to hibernate during the winter like other bears.

They spend most of their day eating bamboo or foraging. It is a long wakeful winter for the Giant Panda as they are constantly on the move to stay warm, and eat enough bamboo to sustain their body weight during the winter months.

February 3 - Scattered Halo

2010-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Scattered Halo - Unlike sundogs, sun halos are created when sunlight passes through ice crystals that are oriented at different angles. This scatters the light in many directions and produces a halo. Frequently seen around the Sun, they occasionally form around the Moon as well.

Sundogs - an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light in the sky (aka Mock Suns), often on a luminous ring or on either side of the Sun. Sundogs occur when the Sun is at a 45 degree angle and at its lowest point on the horizon. As the sun rises higher the rays passing through the crystals are increasingly skewed from the horizontal plane. Their angle of deviation increases, and the sundogs move further from the sun.

January 30 - 2010 First Full Moon

2010-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

2010 First Full Moon - Tonight's first full Moon will be the biggest and brightest of the year since it coincides with the annual perigee (the Moon's closest point to Earth for the year).

Wolf Moon - Native Americans called the January full Moon the Wolf Moon. During the cold and snows of mid-winter, wolf packs would howl hungrily around their villages at night.

January 21 - Snow Belt

2010-01-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

Snow Belt - Snowstorms near large lakes and oceans are called lake-effect snows.

Cold air blows over a warm body of water, creating energy and picking up water vapor, which condenses and falls as snow downwind of the lake or ocean as a snow belt.

January 7 - Walrus

2010-01-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

Vaulted Palate - Walruses feed on many marine organisms, but their favorite food is the benthic bivalve mollusk. Their uniquely vaulted palate allows the walruses to seal the mollusks in their powerful lips, draw in their tongues rapidly which creates a vacuum to extract the meat.

Flotation Bubbles - Walruses can sleep while bobbing vertically in the water because the air sacs under their throats act as flotation devices that keep their heads above water so that they can breathe while remaining partially submerged.

January 3 - Perihelion

2010-01-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

Perihelion - On January 3, 2010 around midnight, Earth reaches its closest orbital point to the Sun for this year. Earth is about 3.1 million miles closer to the Sun at Perihelion than when it is at its farthest point (aphelion) in July.

December 21 - Winter Solstice

2009-12-21T02:00:00.000-08:00

Winter Solstice - The precise moment when the Sun passes directly over the Tropic of Capricorn today at 17:47UTC, winter will officially begin. This is commonly know as the shortest day of the year, and the start of when days will gradually begin to lengthen.

Traditionally the winter solstice is cause for celebration, and many cultures will plan festivals, holidays and rituals to mark the occasion.

The Green Children

2009-12-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

The Green Children - Milla Sunde & Tom 'Marlow' Bevan make up this international pop music duo. I have been following this group on Twitter for the past year, and I have been so impressed with their music and their amazing work for those less fortunate in our world. You need to check out their website which is very fun to navigate, and tells the story of how they grew up, met and started the group. You will love it!

Official Music website: The Green Children

The Green Children Foundation - Partnering with 'Nobel Peace Prize' winner Professor Muhammad Ynus (founder of Grameen Bank) they raised money through the sale of their CD/DVD packages to open a hospital in rural Bangladesh, India. It opened in May 2008, and has helped thousands regain their sight through cataract surgeries.

Their foundation also supports micro-loans through the Grameen Bank that give the poor small loans to help them start businesses that will pull them out of poverty. This is a sustainable program that will grow and support more loans in the future as previous loans are paid back with interest. Giving even more support to a greater number of people. You can also make donations on their website to help orphaned children, download music and videos, and become a green child yourself! Click here: The Green Children Foundation

You can follow them on MySpace, YouTube, Facebook & Twitter. Buy songs on their website or iTunes, and you will be helping their foundation reach further to help the poor of our world.

Check out their YouTube channel here: The Green Children

December 2 - Bright Moon

2009-12-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

Bright Moon - This Full moon will be one of the brightest, and appear larger since it coincides with the fourth-closest perigee of the year. This is when the moon reaches its closest point during orbit of the Earth.

November 23 - Spring Awakening

2009-11-23T14:41:00.000-08:00

Waiting for Spring - After mating, female bats stock up on fat to prepare for Spring pregnancies. Females of many bat species delay fertilization by storing sperm during hibernation.

November 11 - Amur Leopard

2009-11-11T15:52:00.000-08:00

Amur Leopard - (Panthera pardus orientalis) One of the rarest feline species in the world, with an estimated 30 to 45 individuals remaining in the wild. They can be found in small ranges of the Russian Far East and Northern China.

Conservation efforts in Zoo's are complicated due to inbreeding with such a small pool of cats available in the program. An extremely rare sight of newborn cubs are renewed hope and cause for celebration for the rarest big cat on earth.

The Amur leopard is critically endangered, meaning that it is considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Several conservation organizations are working to protect the Amur leopard. Below are a couple that you can check out for more information.

World Wildlife Fund - Amur Leopard Conservation

ALTA - Amur Leopard Conservation

October 27 - Quail Covey

2009-10-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

Quail Covey - During fall, quail families band together in flocks (or coveys) of several dozen birds.

These family groups will stay together through the difficult winter and disband with the coming of spring.

October 16 - Eye Shine

2009-10-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

Eye Shine - Many nocturnal animals, from owls to foxes, have a special layer of glittering cells in the backs of their eyes to aid in night vision.

After dark, these animals' eyes reflect light brilliantly, from white or yellow to ruby red.

September 22 - Autumnal Equinox

2009-09-22T01:18:00.000-07:00

Autumnal Equinox - occurs at 21:18 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on September 22, 2009. It is also referred to as the September or fall equinox in the northern hemisphere, as well as the spring or vernal equinox in the southern hemisphere. This is due to the seasonal contrasts between both hemispheres throughout the year.

The word “equinox” derives from the Latin words meaning “equal night” and refers to the time when the sun crosses the equator. In modern times this word is used to refer not only to the positions on the ecliptic but also the times of the year when the sun has reached them.

A Greek astronomer and mathematician named Hipparchus (ca. 190-ca.120 BCE) was known for discovering the precession of the equinoxes, the slow movement among the stars of the two opposite places where the sun crosses the celestial equator. Hipparchus made observations of the equinox and solstice. Astronomers use the spring equinoctial point to define their frame of reference, and the movement of this point implies that the measured position of a star varies with the date of measurement.

September 4 - Prince William Sound

2009-09-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

Prince William Sound - Alaska's spectacular Prince William Sound ecosystem is a haven for many types of wildlife. Brown Bear, Orcas, Puffins, Bald Eagles and harbor seals can all be found in this magnificent place.

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill - The infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill nearly wiped out some species such as the sea otter. Even now 20 years later, it is still on a slow road to recovery.

National Wildlife Federation - NWF has stood up to protect and defend America's great places, like the Prince William Sound. Visit their site to learn how you can help protect wildlife.

August 24 - Burrow Borrowers

2009-08-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

Burrow Borrowers - Tortoise burrows provide other animals with temporary shelter from heat and hungry predators. More than 300 different species utilize these valuable hideaways, including jackrabbits, mice, snakes and owls.

August 5 - Solar Halo

2009-08-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

Solar Halo - When cirrus clouds arrive after a few clear days, a solar halo may appear around the Sun as sunbeams are refracted through ice crystals in the clouds.

To prevent eye damage when viewing a solar halo, use a pin hole projector or block the Sun with an approved solar filter.

July 15 - African Elephant

2009-07-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

African Elephant - (Loxodonta) The largest land animal on Earth! Average males stand 12 ft tall at the shoulder and weigh 12,000 lbs, while females stand 10 ft tall and weigh 11,000 lbs. However, there are recorded instances of Bull elephants weighing in excess of 15,000 lbs. They reach puberty at 13-14 yrs of age, and can give birth up to 50 yrs of age. Their lifespan can easily reach 70 yrs or more.

African elephants are always on the move looking for food, and especially water. They do not drink water through their trunks, but use it as a tool to fill with water then pour it into their mouths to drink. The will also fill their trunks to spray out over their bodies to stay cool or even go for a swim if they can find deep enough water.

Elephants have an innate ability to express emotion. They can cry, play, laugh and even grieve over a loss in the herd. They have amazing memories, and will have a greeting ceremony upon the return of a member who has been away for a while.

July 1 - Osprey Swoop

2009-07-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Osprey Swoop - An osprey hawk can swoop down and dive 1 meter (3.3 feet) below the water's surface to capture a fish for its supper.

June 24 - Keeping Cool

2009-06-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

Keeping Cool - Moose and Elk migrate to higher elevations during the summer, preferring areas where the temperature does not rise far above 70°F (21°C).

If they get too hot, they enter a river or lake to cool down. Moose are excellent swimmers, and they can swim as fast as 6mph for as far as 12 miles!

June 21 - Summer Solstice

2009-06-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

Summer Solstice - Occurs at 5:45 UTC, when the Sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer (its farthest point north), it will be directly overhead at noon.

Have a Happy Summer!

June 18 - Lion

2009-06-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

KING OF BEASTS

Lion - (Panthera leo) one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. Wild lions currently exist in Africa and Asia with a critically endangered small population in India. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males.

The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a possibly irreversible population decline of 30 to 50 percent over the past two decades in its African range. Habitat loss and conflicts with humans are currently the greatest causes of concern for the decline.

White Lion - The white lion is not a distinct subspecies, but a genetic condition, leucism, that causes paler coloration like that of the white tiger; the condition is similar to melanism, which is seen in black panthers. They are not albinos, having normal pigmentation in the eyes and skin. The unusual cream color of their coats is due to a recessive gene.

Confirmation of the existence of white lions only came in the late twentieth century. For hundreds of years prior, the white lion had been thought to be a figment of legend circulating in South Africa, the white fur of the animal said to represent the goodness in all creatures. Sightings were first reported in the early 1900s, and continued, infrequently, for almost fifty years until, in 1975, a litter of white lion cubs was found at Timbavati Game Reserve.

June 15 - Scarlet Macaw

2009-06-15T16:43:00.000-07:00

Scarlet Macaw - (Ara macao) This large, colorful macaw is considered by some to be among the most beautiful birds in the world. The plumage is mostly scarlet, but the rump and tail-covert feathers are light blue, the greater upperwing coverts are yellow and (sometimes) green. The upper sides of the flight feathers of the wings are dark blue as are the ends of the tail feathers, and the undersides of the wing and tail flight feathers are dark red with metallic gold iridescence.

Scarlet Macaws originate in the humid lowland subtropical rain forests of Central and South America. The habitat of the Central American Scarlet Macaw runs through regions of Mexico, Panama, Guatemala & Belize, while the South American population has an extensive range that covers the Amazon basin; extending to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador & Paraguay.

These noisy, magnificent birds can fly at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kph), often flying in pairs or small flocks.

This Scarlet Macaw is an endangered species, and it's populations are in decline due to loss of habitat, and their capture to be sold as pets.

June 10 - Cheetah

2009-06-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) - The world's fastest land animal. It can sprint in short bursts up to 70 mph with it's slender, long-legged body uniquely built for speed. Adaptations that enable the cheetah to run as fast as it does include large nostrils that allow for increased oxygen intake, and an enlarged heart and lungs that work together to circulate oxygen efficiently. During a typical chase its respiratory rate increases from 60 to 150 breaths per minute. A true marvel of evolution.

In 1900, there were over 100,000 cheetah living in the wild. Today, due to habitat loss and decreased numbers of it's prey, only 9,000 - 12,000 remain in Africa, with small isolated populations in Iran. It has become the most endangered cat in all of Africa.

Cheetah Conservation Fund - Help save the wild cheetah!
Mission Statement: To be an internationally recognized center of excellence in research and education on cheetahs and their eco-systems, working with all stakeholders to achieve best practice in the conservation and management of the world's cheetahs.

African Wildlife Foundation - Cheetah facts and conservation.
Mission Statement: The African Wildlife Foundation, together with the people of Africa, works to ensure the wildlife and wild lands of Africa will endure forever.

June 5 - Wetlands

2009-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Swamp - Dominated by trees and woody plants, they are flooded most or all of the year long.

Marsh - Made up of water and sediment from rivers, deltas or lakes. They are dominated by grasses.

Bog - Dominated by mosses, algae or plants, they are fed entirely by rain and groundwater.

June 2 - Island Fox

2009-06-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

Island Fox - (Urocyon littoralis) a small fox that is native to six of the eight Channel Islands of California. It is the second smallest fox species in the United States. There are six subspecies of the fox, each unique to the island it inhabits, reflecting its evolutionary history.

Outfoxed - Island Restoration brings record recovery for the Island Fox

Blowing Coat - In spring, Arctic foxes molt from their thick, long winter coat into a shorter, thinner, darker coat to prepare them for the summer heat.

June 1 - Leopard

2009-06-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

Leopard - (Panthera pardus) a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera; the other three are the Tiger, Lion and Jaguar. The leopard's range of distribution has decreased radically over time due to hunting and loss of habitat, and the leopard now chiefly occurs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Leopards that are melanistic, either completely black or very dark in coloration, are one of the big cats known colloquially as black panthers.

The leopard is known for its ability in climbing, and it has been observed resting on tree branches during the day and descending from trees headfirst. Leopards often hide their kills in dense vegetation or take them up in the tree, and are capable of carrying animals up to three times their own weight this way.

May 29 - Iris and Lupin Bloom

2009-05-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Iris and Lupin - This is the time of year when the colorful and beautiful flowers of the Iris and Lupin are blooming. This is a great time to make a trip to Grand Teton National park.

Lupin - (aka Lupine) The genus Lupinus comprises between 200-600 species, of mostly herbaceous perennial flowering plants.

Iris - This genus has between 200–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species.

May 26 - Mega Molting

2009-05-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

Mega Molting - It's that time of year again when synchronous molters, such as ducks and geese, change their feathers all at once in as short as two weeks.

Where flocks have gathered together during the molting period, layers of feathers can cover the water and surrounding areas.

May 12 - Special Wing

2009-05-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

Special Wing - The musculoskeletal structure of the hummingbird's wings allow it the unique ability to fly backward and upside down, while collecting nectar or evading a predator.

May 4 - Aerial Mate

2009-05-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

Aerial Mate - Damselflies mate by connecting their tails, forming a heart shape. They will also take flight in this same formation.

April 24 - National Arbor Day

2009-04-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Arbor Day!

Arbor Day - A national holiday dedicated to the planting, care and conservation of trees. Arbor Day is celebrated in many countries throughout the world.

Deforestation - Earth's rainforests are diminishing at an alarming rate. Many conservation groups are working to slow down and preserve these essential ecosystems for future generations.

The Nature Conservancy - Read what they are doing, and how you can help. Click here: Forest Conservation

April 22 - EARTH DAY!

2009-04-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EARTH DAY

We all must do "R" part to protect our planet!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replenish, Restore

April 20 - Star Bursts

2009-04-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Star Bursts - In a clear sky, the Lyrid meteor shower presents its nightly show from April 16 to 26. It produces around ten meteors per hour at its normal maximum, but on rare occasions tremendous bursts of up to 100 meteors per hour have been seen.

A camera shutter set for a long time exposure, can capture some exceptional images of multiple meteors in one shot.

The best views are in the eastern and northeastern skies between midnight and dawn.

April 11 - Ladybug Love

2009-04-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

Long Lover - Ladybug mates are attracted by secretion of a powerful and species-specific pheromone. The male holds on by gripping the female's wings, and the act of copulation can last as long as two hours.

Egg Eaters - Ladybug mothers will lay a number of infertile eggs along with the fertile ones. In times of famine, these extra eggs provide a food source for the newly hatched larvae.

April 8 - Butterflies

2009-04-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

Foot Taster - Butterflies have taste receptors in their feet. They can land on a flower or leaf and instantly know if it is suitable for eating or for laying eggs on.

Rapid Growth - From egg to caterpillar, a butterfly larva can grow to over 25,000 times its original size. This tremendous transformation can occur in as few as thirty days.