Elk Rapids Almanac-February 2020
January 30 - This grouse was spotted downtown in the back alley behind the post office. It was darting under cars and poking its head back out looking around. It was pretty bold and was looking for food. -Lauren Dake.
February 2 - I had just pulled in my driveway, suddenly looked to my right and saw two foxes playing in my backyard! One had his chin down in the snow & was pushing himself forward. The other, who appeared to be lame and holding its rear leg up, laid down and rolled over and over!!! Playtime didn't last very long. Both left my yard, turning right on Ash Street. 2 foxes on the 2nd day of the 2nd month of the year 2020. Must be a good sign! -Liz Delarosa.
February 8 - Here are a couple of owls spotted nearby. -John Russell.
February 9 - We were driving on Waring Road just west of Maplehurst natural area—planning to go sledding with our grandsons. We spotted a snowy owl on top of an electric pole right next to the road! We watched as he flew to another light pole and then on his way to some nearby woods. Wonderful to be able to share this time with our grandsons. And it was my first time actually seeing a snowy owl in the wild. -Judy Matchett.
Notes on Owls: We've had lots of Snowy Owl sightings this winter, inspiring a sense of awe in most of us. Drawings of these creatures dating from prehistoric times were recently found in caves in southeast France. They are now found much further north, indicating a considerable change in climate. Great Snowy Owls can have a wingspan of six feet, with the females being larger than the males. Their evolved vision enables them to hunt during daylight hours, unlike most other species, and dense feather coverings on their feet enable them to stay on the ground while devouring their prey. Owls are symbolically prominent in many cultures around the world, representing good, evil and many things between.
Factoids: A female Snowy Owl named Hedwig was a companion to Harry Potter, played by a total of seven different male owls, smaller that the females and thus easier to handle.
What is a gathering of owls called? ???? a "parliament of owls".
Notes source: Owl, by Desmond Morris, 2009.
Reminder: GreenER Reads The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben.
April 28. 5:30 p.m. Cellar 152.
January 30 - This grouse was spotted downtown in the back alley behind the post office. It was darting under cars and poking its head back out looking around. It was pretty bold and was looking for food. -Lauren Dake.
February 2 - I had just pulled in my driveway, suddenly looked to my right and saw two foxes playing in my backyard! One had his chin down in the snow & was pushing himself forward. The other, who appeared to be lame and holding its rear leg up, laid down and rolled over and over!!! Playtime didn't last very long. Both left my yard, turning right on Ash Street. 2 foxes on the 2nd day of the 2nd month of the year 2020. Must be a good sign! -Liz Delarosa.
February 8 - Here are a couple of owls spotted nearby. -John Russell.
February 9 - We were driving on Waring Road just west of Maplehurst natural area—planning to go sledding with our grandsons. We spotted a snowy owl on top of an electric pole right next to the road! We watched as he flew to another light pole and then on his way to some nearby woods. Wonderful to be able to share this time with our grandsons. And it was my first time actually seeing a snowy owl in the wild. -Judy Matchett.
Notes on Owls: We've had lots of Snowy Owl sightings this winter, inspiring a sense of awe in most of us. Drawings of these creatures dating from prehistoric times were recently found in caves in southeast France. They are now found much further north, indicating a considerable change in climate. Great Snowy Owls can have a wingspan of six feet, with the females being larger than the males. Their evolved vision enables them to hunt during daylight hours, unlike most other species, and dense feather coverings on their feet enable them to stay on the ground while devouring their prey. Owls are symbolically prominent in many cultures around the world, representing good, evil and many things between.
Factoids: A female Snowy Owl named Hedwig was a companion to Harry Potter, played by a total of seven different male owls, smaller that the females and thus easier to handle.
What is a gathering of owls called? ???? a "parliament of owls".
Notes source: Owl, by Desmond Morris, 2009.
Reminder: GreenER Reads The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben.
April 28. 5:30 p.m. Cellar 152.
Downtown Grouse. Photo: Lauren Dake
Snowy Owl in Flight. Photo: John L. Russell