by msesstaff | Jul 15, 2020 | Wildlife Wednesday
(photos by Stacey Andersen, Calgary, AB) Great Blue Heron; Ardea herodias The Great Blue Heron is the largest of the North American herons. It has a captivating stature with a large beak, slender body and a striking black stripe above the eye. The Great Blue Heron is...
by msesstaff | Jul 8, 2020 | Wildlife Wednesday
(photo by Shannon Gavin) Long-Eared Owl; Asio otus The Long Eared Owl has adapted to live in a wide range of climates and habitats. Its range covers most of North America, excluding the northern-most parts of Canada. The long eared owl, while smaller than Gray and...
by msesstaff | Jul 1, 2020 | Wildlife Wednesday
(photo by US Fish & Wildlife Service) Arctic Ground Squirrel; Spennophilus parryii kennicottii Arctic ground squirrels are the northern-most hibernators. Their hibernation can last for 8 months a year. While living through harsh environmental conditions including...
by msesstaff | Jun 24, 2020 | Wildlife Wednesday
Red-backed Vole; Myodes (photo by born1945 via Flickr) Red-backed vole populations fluctuate with food supply. Their main food supplies are berries and tree seeds. Both of these crop yields are tied closely to weather conditions. Voles reside in coniferous...
by msesstaff | Jun 17, 2020 | Wildlife Wednesday
Red-winged Blackbird; Agelaius phoeniceus (photo by Shannon Gavin) Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the most abundant birds across North America, and one of the most vividly coloured. Different populations and subspecies of Red-winged Blackbirds vary noticeably in...
by msesstaff | Jun 10, 2020 | Wildlife Wednesday
Common Meganser; Mergus meganser (photo by Shannon Gavin) Common Mergansers are numerous in summer months along rivers in northern North America. The word “merganser” comes from Latin and roughly translates to “plunging goose”, an apt...
