Gray Jays: the infamous “robbers” of food from campers and picnics. In late October, I enjoyed observing them gather fat from an elk carcass and caching it. Caching is when an animal hides food for later use, like a squirrel hiding a stash of nuts and seeds. The difference between the squirrel’s way of cachingContinue reading “The Caching of Gray Jays”
Tag Archives: wildlife
What’s in a Name?
Part Two : The Cooper’s Hawk In the What’s in a Name series, we dive into the entangled and problematic histories of naming birds after specific people. In November, I introduced readers to the American Ornithological Society’s decision to change the names of birds that were subjected to nomenclature. We learned about the Bonaparte’s GullContinue reading “What’s in a Name?”
Snails of a Talus Field
By Lucy Herring We arrived at Moose Bend Rock Creek at 11:00 am in the subaru. Dottie, Mama, Papa and I all stare at the mountain we are going to climb. I look at the river and groan. I know the mountain is going to be very steep and tough to climb because I haveContinue reading “Snails of a Talus Field”
Hutsinpilar, Upland Killer
By Dottie Herring Our Subaru Outback glides into a pullover spot on Rock Creek Road and my family and I clamber out with enthusiasm. The sunscreen, water, and snacks are dropped in the spacious backpack and soon we are ready to go. The last thing to enter the backpack is the 22, for it isContinue reading “Hutsinpilar, Upland Killer”
Missoula Bird Nerds 