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Activity for Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL‭

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Question Why do they turn the 9/11 Memorial Lights off for birds?
On the morning of September 11, 2001, two airplanes flew into the "Twin Towers," part of the hub of the World Trade Center in New York City, United States. The towers, which at one time had been the tallest in the world, were brought to the ground, together with some other buildings. The incident is ...
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over 4 years ago
Question Is there such a thing as "heat lightning" without a storm?
Sometimes on a hot, humid day, we see lightning off in the distance. If we're out on a trail or camping in the evening, it's even brighter. It seems to be traveling in almost a sideways motion. We don't see it hit the ground. We don't hear thunder, and it doesn't rain. I've been told this lightning ...
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over 4 years ago
Question What is this plastic net with a wide middle and bottom that looks like an upside-down flower hanging from a tree?
We recently (July, 2019) went to Bar Harbor, Maine, United States, to visit friends who live on the ocean. My husband took a walk on an established path (he's very serious about Leave No Trace) at the water's edge. The tide was out so he was especially careful of where he stepped. Mostly he stood sti...
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almost 5 years ago
Answer A: What is the Leave No Trace way to dispose of coffee grounds?
The Leave No Trace approach to coffee grounds is to bring them in carefully without spilling them, use them responsibly without making a mess, and take them with you when you leave, together with all your other biodegradable materials. Don't scatter, bury or burn them. In June, 2019, Popular Scienc...
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almost 5 years ago
Question Why is this woodchuck losing its fur?
This woodchuck has been in and out of our yard in Massachusetts, United States, for a few weeks, since early May. It comes out from under our large rhododendrons which have a small area of woods behind them. We've only ever seen this one. It's very alert; moves quickly around the yard; sits up high ...
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almost 5 years ago
Question Can dirty bird feeders make birds sick?
We have bird feeders of all shapes, sizes, and types of material. Some we've had for years. We dump out leftover bird seed and shells when we refill them. If there are obvious dangers, like algae, mold, feces or feathers, we scrape those off. We spray them with a hose, but we've never taken them down...
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almost 5 years ago
Question What aquatic animal laid these eggs?
On April 12, 2019, my sister-in-law was hiking on a mountain close to our home in Central Massachusetts, USA. There was a pond at the end of an established trail. Near the water's edge were jelly-like clumps of what looked like eggs, with lots of black dots. In the water were twigs and leaves. The ...
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about 5 years ago
Question How can I tell if there's a camouflaged octopus in a coral reef, so I can keep from disturbing it?
This question is based on my desire to avoid disturbing, injuring, or scaring away an octopus which is camouflaged to look like a coral reef. Since it's so difficult to see, I'd like to know how to tell where it is! Corals are sensitive animals and easily killed, so purposely touching them is not an ...
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about 5 years ago
Answer A: What is this white substance some climbers smear on their legs?
Tragically those specific climbers are deceased. I read some of Dean Potter's climbing journals and articles, and didn't find a mention of which specific sunscreen or other products he used. What I'm suggesting is purely from a online research, and reports from athletes who have used it. There's a ...
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about 5 years ago
Question Is there proof that it's good for animals in captivity to do activities such as painting?
Last spring, we went to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, United States. We don't like places with captive animals, unless they're work is essential for the survival of life on the planet. We may visit some that are caring for rescued or injured animals until they can go back to the wild; and som...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: Do chipmunks hibernate in woodpiles, and, if so, how do I avoid disturbing them when taking wood from the pile?
From your profile, I think your chipmunk is the Eastern Chipmunk, Tamias striatus. They're the most common chipmunk species in Virginia. That's what I have too, so this answer is based on the behavior of that species. Don't deprive yourself of heat, especially in a blackout! If possible though, le...
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over 5 years ago
Question What are the differences between a lighthouse and a light station in terms of the specific purpose?
One summer evening we drove to Race Point, the farthest tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. We were told there was a lighthouse at that spot, and wanted to see the light shine through the darkness, as it signaled to the boats out in the ocean. Some people there were calling it a light station. Is t...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: When to plant a potted live Christmas tree?
Thanks for buying a live tree! We're in Massachusetts, and had success under the direction of a horticulturist. The tree must be inside for the least possible amount of time, no more than a week or two, so don't buy it too many days before Christmas, and plant it as soon as you can after the holida...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: Bird identification from feathers - brown-black feathers, medium size, West Sweden
Credit goes to @ATJN for identifying the bird as a Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), which is the largest member of the grouse family. I know you primarily asked for the identification, but I'm adding some things about the bird in case you or others are interested. There are a number of sub-...
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over 5 years ago
Question When should I report a potentially injured-looking animal to authorities in a large, monitored, wildlife area?
We prefer watching animals from a distance, to try and cause them the least disruption. Every so often I've seen an animal in a distant part of a large area that doesn't appear to feel right. For instance, it may be limping a little bit, or missing an area of fur, which could indicate injury. Some an...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: How do you protect yourself against crocodiles when you have no option but to camp on the banks of a croc-infested river?
You've already gotten excellent advice! My research offers a few additional suggestions. Before going, if possible, find some local people in the area and ask for advice. They generally know a lot more than we who are camping for the first time, and might be happy to share! This can be especiall...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: How can I tell the difference between a Tentworm caterpillar and a Fall Webworm caterpillar by observing the web?
There are a few clearly observable differences between the nests of the Eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum), often called tentworm and treeworm, and the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea. The most obvious are the location on the tree and the shape; the timing of building and using the tent;...
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over 5 years ago
Question How can I tell the difference between a Tentworm caterpillar and a Fall Webworm caterpillar by observing the web?
A question from August 13, 2018 asked what type of caterpillar was living in a cocoon on a tree at the Mass. Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, on Mt. Wachusett, in Princeton, Central Massachusetts, USA. According to an expert consultant, the accepted answer identified it as a fall webworm, Hyphantria cune...
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over 5 years ago
Question How can a Common Kingfisher bird balance on a tiny swaying reed without moving its head?
This is a one minute video of a Common Kingfisher bird standing on a tiny reed swaying in the wind. It's from the BBC Network in England. For much of the video, especially the beginning, the bird doesn't seem to be moving its head, but the body is moving back and forth on the reed. Even when it m...
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over 5 years ago
Question What is "catskiing"?
On a hiking trail recently, I overheard some people talking about going "catskiing" as part of a winter vacation from school. Obviously, that doesn't mean skiing with or by means of a cat. What is catskiing? How is it done and in what situations? Does it require a special type of skis?
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over 5 years ago
Question What behaviors in bees change just before, during and after a solar eclipse?
I've heard from a friend that some bees exhibit behavioral changes during a solar eclipse event. I'd like to know what the changes are. Apparently there's a cycle that starts as the eclipse begins, enters a different phase during the eclipse and another phase as the eclipse wanes. When the whole eve...
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over 5 years ago
Question Did a bear knock all my bird feeders down?
We live in a suburban town in Massachusetts, Northeast United States. We keep a lot of bird feeders stocked all year with things birds and animals like, excluding meat and fruit. Yesterday, October 23, 2018, we woke up to find almost all the feeders knocked over. Some were pulled out of the groun...
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over 5 years ago
Question What is this black and yellow-striped caterpillar with four toothbrush-looking tufts of hair along the top?
A friend found this caterpillar while hiking in the woods on Wachusett Mountain, in Central Massachusetts, United States, in the first week of September. It was on a fallen log under the leaves of a deciduous tree, but she didn't know the exact name of the tree. She only saw one. It appeared to be ju...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: Lead free brass fittings on potable water hoses
As you suspected, brass hose fittings are known to contain lead, which can cause severe health problems of many types. It doesn't take a lot of lead to be dangerous, and some studies even find lead poisoning in children who drink out of hoses while playing in the yard. Several sources say not to dr...
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over 5 years ago
Question How do some of the materials in the clothing we wear endanger marine life and the undersea environment?
I was recently told that many of the clothes we wear are made up of materials that are dangerous to marine wildlife, and the undersea environment. I'm curious as to whether or not it's true. I know marine animals perish from getting entangled in man-made things like nets, scuba diving gear, traps, ...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: What top 10 items did the teams on the TV survival show Alone most frequently choose?
According to the Survival Skills Alone Gear List, the most frequently chosen were sleeping bag (100%); ferro rod (100%); fishing kit with line (96%); 2 quart pot (91%), knife (89%); ax (87%), saw (85%), food (77%). After that there's a significant drop before the rest, which include gill net (45%); ...
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over 5 years ago
Question Is there a difference between a hiking trail and a backpacking trail, including if it's the same piece of land?
I saw an article about the Long Trail, a 272-mile trail through the Green Mountain range in Vermont, USA. It's famous for being the oldest hiking trail in the United States, having been built between 1910 and 1930. According to the Green Mountain Club, which is referred to as the organization whic...
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over 5 years ago
Question What features of a trail camera make it easier for photographing animals than other cameras?
In this answer to a question I asked about how to photograph moose without scaring them, one of the possible suggestions was a "trail camera." What exactly is a trail camera? How does it differ in the ability to photograph animals than any other camera I may already have? Does it have to do with si...
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over 5 years ago
Question How can we be the most respectful to a moose when photographing it up close?
We've often heard that moose are most active in the early morning or late in the day, around dusk, and are usually near a natural water source. Every year, we travel a few hours away to areas that are known for significant moose populations. We choose the “right” time, and “best” spots. We stay on ...
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over 5 years ago
Question What group of people call themselves "Outdoor Influencers", and what do they do regarding natural areas of land?
I recently heard the term "Outdoor Influencers" relating to certain groups of people, including conservationists. Apparently some people have negative feelings about their activities, because they make it harder for people to enjoy wild and natural outdoor areas. On the other hand, some people fe...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: Has extended exposure to sunlight and UV in the arctic or antarctic ever caused someone's eyes to change color?
This did indeed happen to Robert Swan, who is the first man in history to walk to both the South and North Poles. His eyes turned from dark blue to light blue on his trek to the South Pole, which began in November of 1985 and ended at the Pole in January of 1986. (His trip to the North Pole was in 19...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: What is growing in these cocoon-looking structures found on a mountain in Massachusetts, USA?
We went back today and spoke with the naturalist, Cindy, who's part of a team that cares for that property which includes hundreds of acres. These are webbed nests filled with hundreds of caterpillars of the fall webworm moth, (Hyphantria cunea). The caterpillars are tiny and hairy, and at the earl...
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over 5 years ago
Question What is growing in these cocoon-looking structures found on a mountain in Massachusetts, USA?
We found a few things which we think are cocoons on a tree at Mass. Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, on Mt. Wachusett, in Princeton, Central Massachusetts, USA. It was last week, mid-August. The tree stands alone on the lawn by a dirt road, without any other tree or bush on either side. It's by a stonew...
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over 5 years ago
Answer A: Is it realistic that a duck would raise a swan?
As you suspected, in general it's not realistic that a duck would raise a swan, especially in the wild. INCUBATION: A swan's egg is much bigger than a mallard's, so the mother mallard (hen) is not physically equipped to incubate it. She can't cover it enough to heat it, and isn't strong enough to...
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over 5 years ago
Question Do doves go through a molting time of shedding and replacing their feathers?
We live in Massachusetts, Northeastern United States. It's late July, and our temperatures this month have ranged between 70&#xB0;F (21&#xB0;C) and 90&#xB0;F (32&#xB0;C). Mourning doves, Zenaida macroura, live here annually for many months. Lately some look a bit disheveled. They have fewer feather...
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over 5 years ago
Question Where are some accessible flat areas for handicapped birders in Acadia National Park in Maine, USA?
We're planning a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine, USA. It would be in July or August. We'll be spending two days, with a night in a hotel in one of the surrounding towns. (We haven't chosen that spot yet!) Our group includes able-bodied hikers and climbers; and people who need wheelchairs, wal...
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almost 6 years ago
Answer A: How can I help birds know how to feed from feeders?
Malaysia has 781 species of birds, but most are not feeder-oriented, which would explain why people don't put up many feeders in your area. There are some, though, and they've probably seen feeders in their travels. Types and location of feeders and foods will bring them to you! Once you have an esta...
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almost 6 years ago
Question How do songbirds and small animals know when there's a hawk in the immediate vicinity?
At any given time in our yard, we have at least 20 birds, up to the same number of squirrels, 15 or so chipmunks, and a few rabbits. Our many feeders and birdbaths are mostly under big trees and next to large bushes, although many of the birds and other things feed more out in the open. Needless to s...
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almost 6 years ago
Question Do any birds hibernate?
A friend said she heard there's a species of bird that hibernates during the winter. I was surprised because I've only heard of birds that either migrate to warm weather as it gets cold; or stay active and behave normally if they're designed to thrive in cold temperatures. I know some hummingbirds ...
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almost 6 years ago