Nov
27
2010
Well, as promised I’m posting about our nature center “coyote”. We’ve had record number of nature center reports on coyotes this fall! As we continue to take phone calls and talk with visitors in the nature center about these encounters, we try to give the same clear message… HELP KEEP THEM WARY AND AFRAID OF HUMANS!
Last week, I caught a glimpse of a dog in the meadow as I was driving the Gator up the bike path, only to find out it was a coyote. I stopped a distance back and shot a photo as it was doing it’s dog “doody”. It didn’t even notice me as it kicked up grass to cover its scat and then trotted along the path right back to the nature center.
Coyote in Meadow
Scat
So this is where it gets more interesting… As I approached the front parking lot I noticed a “dog off leash” running right by visitors walking to their vehicles. A second look at this “dog off leash”, and I realize that it’s the same coyote I just photographed. It continues on right through the parking lot and onto the Trillium Trail. Since I’ve seen this coyote run by the front entrance on a busy Saturday afternoon, it is clearly unafraid of encountering humans!
I remembered a conversation that I had with the Urban Wildlife Specialist at Audubon Society several years ago. This is an analogy taken from Dr. Stanley Gertz of Vancouver B.C. He said, ” Think like you’re a coyote: nocturnal, in the bushes and hiding but 90% of the time looking at humans. Most of the time they are very predictable and doing the same things (humans). For the most part you see them walking in a straight line down the street or pathway. Encounters with them are beneign. If they do see you, they don’t do anything to make you feel unsafe or unwelcome, so why would you feel threatened?”
So, I headed off in the direction of the coyote and clapped my hands and yelled to attempt to shooo the coyote back into the brush. Wow! Did it ever take persistence. This coyote felt safe and welcome. That was quite evident as he looked over his shoulder, puzzled by my crazy behavior.
He’s been back since last weekend and fortunately he is not actively approaching people but it is clear that he is not afraid. If you see a coyote in the park or anywhere for that matter…PLEASE,do something unexpected!!! Make some loud noises to scare them off and teach others about this too. It will make a difference. Coyotes are an extremely adaptable species that survive well in our urban environments. It’s wonderful to know that they are here thriving, but help keep them wild!
Nov
21
2010
Well I have to say… this weekend in the park was action packed! As our Saturday guided hike group rounded up the hill past high bridge, we spotted a Rough-skinned newt sprawled out on his back, seemingly injured. We could tell he was definitely young due to his size. It looked like someone accidentally stepped on his back, which was completely camoflauged against the fallen leaves. We picked him up to take him back to the nature center for some TLC, which proved to be a lifesaver for our fragile little friend!
A little later, I headed out with Ryan to winterize pipes in the shopyard and found another salamander hiding in the old well access. We decided to hold onto the two salamanders for the day to give visitors the opportunity to compare a salamander and newt, up close and personal.
Check out these photos to discover the difference in their skin. The Ensatina has moist, almost slimy skin. Whereas the newt is rough and a little drier. By the way, a newt is a type of salamander. One might also see a difference in the shape of their tails; newt tails are somewhat flat, whereas salamander tails are round. So, in conclusion, remember that all newts are salamanders but NOT all salamanders are newts (confusing right?)
"Check out my slimy skin and round tail"
"Can you see why they call me rough skinned?"
"I may be a cute nute, but my belly warns you of my toxicity!" ALWAYS wash up after handling salamanders.
Salamander boy 
My title eludes to the fact that it seemed to be raining salamanders and dogs this weekend at Tryon Creek. Stay tuned for a post on our nature center coyote!
Ranger Christal
Nov
14
2010
Yesterday I took a quick walk down to Red Fox Bridge and was stopped by a young girl that had some great questions and comments of her own. She began by telling me about the katydid that she saw resting on a tree. “Do you know what kind it was?” she asked me. “Unfortunately, unless I can see it myself or compare a photo to the identification guide, I am unsure”, I said.
“Well, do you know why the bark of the red cedar tree is light green”, she responded. I felt that I could confidently answer her question by telling her about the lichens we are fortunate to have living here due to our clean forest environment. She smiled at her dad and said, “I told you that Dad!”
As we walked up the hill, she mentioned that she knew the names of over fifty species of butterflies and had raised caterpillars she found in her own yard. It seemed to me that this girl ought to consider a profession in entomology. Of course this was not the first time she had heard this suggestion. Her response both surprised and delighted me. “I don’t think I would like being an entomologist because I don’t believe in killing animals to study them.”
I found myself thinking about her comments for the rest of my day. It’s reassuring to know that this sense of wonder is alive in our youth. The appreciation and respect for nature that this girl displayed are what I strive to instill in the visitors I encounter from day to day. She might not know it yet but she has the passion and purpose of a first-rate interpreter! So much for suggesting a profession in entomology… she’s already a budding naturalist!
Here are some shots from our little walkabout (I wish I could have taken one of the katydid)…
Ranger Christal
Huckleberry in November ~ what a find!
Beautiful fall day
Banana slug
???
- Little Orange Omphanlina
Lepiota
Nov
05
2010
Today, while out assisting Ranger Ryan with the new handrail for the back deck a small orange “worm” caught my eye. “Watch where you step!” I couldn’t bear to watch Ryan squish such a large earthworm…with legs. Upon further examination, we found this “earthworm” was actually an Ensatina. These salamanders can be identified quite easily due to their 12 costal grooves that look like rib grooves along the sides of their bodies.
The tail also has a constriction at the base making it look like it’s about to fall off. In fact, if the ensatina encounters a predator, it can break it’s tail off at the constriction and wiggle it around to confuse and entice the predator, while it scurries off to safety I love amphibians! Who else do you know that can lose body parts and grow back new ones?
We let the kids at Story and Stroll meet our forest friend. While on their mushroom hike,they helped to find a suitable habitat for him, complete with a nurse log, abundant insects to eat and some really cool mushrooms nearby!
