Activity for Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL‭

Type	On...	Excerpt	Status	Date
Answer	—	A: How would you help a snapping turtle cross the road? I know this question has been protected, but since I was invited in a comment to post an answer, especially about things that we shouldn't do, I'm going to add this. There is some great, as well as some very dangerous, advice in the existing answers and comments. Although this answer will have some r... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Question	—	Does the male or female Emperor penguin incubate their egg, and for how long? I've been told that the only place Emperor penguins live is Antarctica. They live in colonies which can be anywhere from 500-20,000 birds. Unlike some other birds, including other penguin species, they only lay one egg at a time, and on ice rather than land. Thousands of people travel to Antarctica... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Question	—	What breed is this very large, black, turtle/tortoise found in the Northeast United States? My husband found this very large turtle (or tortoise) crossing a road from an industrial park towards a wooded area. It was in June, in Massachusetts, USA, at 8:00 in the evening. He didn't touch it, just walked alongside to make sure it crossed safely. The prominent features are as follows: Very... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Question	—	Do bees at the hummingbird feeders keep the birds away? Although not greater in number, our hummingbirds this summer seem to be larger than in the past. I think it may be because my husband started making our own nectar, so it's fresher, and might taste better. Some of the feeders are attracting a large number of bees, possibly for the same reason. My qu... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Question	—	What are these round, spiny, puffy, green things from the ocean in Northeast United States? Last October, we were on a road above a beach in a small town near Bar Harbor, Maine, in the Northeast United States. We looked down and saw two fishermen loading their trucks with piles of something fascinating they had just brought in from the ocean with large nets. I'm trying to learn what they ... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Butterfly Migration over Lassen Peak I just spoke with a park ranger at Lassen Volcanic National Park. I was told that the huge group of California Tortoiseshell butterflies, Nymphalis californica, spend time at the summit pretty much every year, including this one, so it is considered an annual occurrence, although the numbers vary. Un... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Question	—	What is a butterfly tag, and what's the procedure for applying it? I was recently told that there are organizations, at least in the United States, that study migration of monarch butterflies by tagging them. The purpose, as in most animal migration monitoring, is to learn as much as possible about the animal, keep that animal population safe, and enable researchers... (more)	—	about 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Plant identification methods I think your plant is a pokeweed, Phytolacca americana. I have a lot in my yard in Massachusetts. Our sister site, Gardening and Landscaping has a number of questions about pokeweed. I think this has the best pictures and identification. To answer your question though, the simplest thing for me is t... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: How far does a nursing Eastern Gray squirrel travel from her nest? As you suspect, that squirrel in your yard is most likely an Eastern Gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis. Although they used to be primarily considered an American species, they're naturalized in many countries, and are commonly seen in Europe, especially Great Britain. Since she nests primarily in... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	Is dirty birdbath water worse than none at all? For the last few months, we've experienced long spells of drought and heat in Massachusetts, on the East Coast of the United States. At least thirty birds and three generations of squirrels and chipmunks are drinking and bathing here at any given time, and they're not alone. At night, we've seen racc... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What would cause sudsy surf? An interesting article from The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Research lists causes of sea foam, most of which have been covered by all your other answers. It does say that the formation of sea foam varies by different coastal regions. While in general, sea foam is considere... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Did I save, or prolong the death throes, of the tuna crabs? What you're seeing is a huge washing up of tuna crabs, Pleuroncodes planipes, which has created "red beach" all up and down the California shoreline, as well as other states. It's not an uncommon occurrence farther South, and is quite frequent in Baja and along the Mexican coast. There are some inte... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	How far does a nursing Eastern Gray squirrel travel from her nest? It's obvious by her belly that we have a nursing squirrel, probably an Eastern Gray, Sciurus carolinensis, in our yard in Massachusetts, USA. I assume her nest is in one of our large evergreens, not too far from the bird feeders, especially since she's now only eating at the feeders closest to those ... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	What are these large black and white waterfowl with red around the eyes? There's a pond located at a restaurant near where we live in Massachusetts. It's always very busy because the restaurant gives out food for the ducks, geese and swans. We've been there often and recently saw some magnificent creatures for the first time. Although they resemble the other waterfowl, t... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	What is the Chincoteague Pony Swim on Assateague Island in Virginia and Maryland? Ever since I read a book called Misty of Chincoteague as a child, I've wanted to see the Wild Chincoteague Ponies, on the Eastern shore of the United States. I believe there are two herds on Assateague Island, which includes land in both Maryland and Virginia. We're finally planning a trip, and I'... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	What happens to the eggs after American robins are born? When American robin chicks fledge, meaning leave the nest, it is pretty much empty. It's also fairly clean, as the parents have been removing the waste from the babies after each feeding. Aside from the infrequent finding of a piece of blue shell, the eggs are notably absent once the birds have fle... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	What's the difference between a fjord and a fjard? Last year we visited some friends at their summer home in Lamoine, Maine, in Northeast United States. They took us to a place called Somes Sound, on Mount Desert Island. It's either in or near Acadia National Park, I can't remember which. In the ocean running under a bridge at the base of some large ... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	What can I provide to help a robin build her nest? We went away for five days and came home to find a robin building a nest in the crook of the downspout of our gutter. I live in Massachusetts, in Northeast United States, so she's probably an American Robin, although they don't vary greatly from the European varieties. I've never seen a nest this clo... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What's the purpose of the sling on the heel of boots? They can also be held as a stabilizer while you put the shoes on, but without tugging. My podiatrist and orthopedist recommend not using it as a tool to pull on the footwear, even if it's high quality. After a year or two, especially if used frequently, that's enough to alter the shape. That causes... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What animal might uproot and relocate a newly-transplanted sedum? I think this was most likely at least a two-creature job. That same sedum has been dug up, broken into pieces and strewn around my yard a number of times. (Pictures of some of the pieces were used in my answer to a question at Gardening and Landscaping, in case you want to see them.) After posting... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: What sort of crane, and what sort of snake? There are many different cranes, so more details about the color and size would be helpful. It is normal behavior, so I'm not surprised you encountered it. My first thought is a sandhill crane. They're found in California, and have snakes as a regular part of their diet. I'm not sure about the snak... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: Does the color of hummingbird nectar make a difference? The nectar color doesn't make a difference and red nectar should be completely avoided. There is never a time you'll need red nectar. It does not attract more birds, and is likely very dangerous. That includes nectar labeled as "100% natural." In fact, there are a lot of "natural" ingredients in comm... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Question	—	How should I position my hummingbird feeders to attract the most birds? I'm trying to increase the hummingbird population in my yard in Northeastern United States. I grow certain types of flowers specifically designed to keep them happy, and have often found them drinking from flowers people say they'll completely ignore. I have one plastic feeder which I keep filled w... (more)	—	over 8 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to differentiate between a Hobby and a Kestrel? Hobby and kestrel are among the 60 varieties of birds of prey in the falcon family. Similarities in their body shape and color make it hard to tell them apart, especially without binoculars. I tend to leave mine at home, or lock them in the car, where they do me no good at all once I'm off wandering ... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why do Sandpipers and Plovers "hang out" together? You're right that the various species of shorebirds, including in your area, like most of the same types of foods. The diet is primarily comprised of invertebrates such as crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and insects. Although some species are indeed bigger, they tend to co-exist peacefully. One reas... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Question	—	Can you tell the gender of a chipmunk from a distance? We have a large number of chipmunks, probably mostly Eastern Chipmunk, Tamias striatus, in our yard in Massachusetts. There are different sizes and a large variation in markings. The behavior appears similar, so the gender isn't obvious. They all have names, including Long-tail Chip; Short-tail Chi... (more)	—	almost 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Where to report bird with leg ring id? I think this is a great question! Many people dedicate tremendous amounts of time to the study of bird and animal behavior. Banding is a large part of that, and people like you who make an effort to report sightings, especially of deceased animals, contribute to important research. You've already go... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Question	—	What are these bulges? Are they harming the tree? My husband's brother came upon this tree while hiking up Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire, USA. This was his first time seeing bulges, for lack of a better word, like these. Knowing that I'm intrigued by such things, he sent me two pictures. He didn't photograph any other part of the tree, so I don't... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: What should I feed ravens/crows? We love crows! I live in America, where there are three main breeds of crow, including American Crows, Fish Crows, and Northwestern Crows. They're a bit different from the Common ravens, and other ravens, found in some other parts of the world. Although there are many varieties of each, their diets a... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to help birds with water? You've already received excellent advice, so I'll just describe a few things we've been doing for years. Our bird baths are a distance from the house, so in addition to those, we provide water on the patio just outside the door, as you're planning to do on your balcony and terrace. For drinking, we... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why do I never see robins in the woods? According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, American Robins are indeed found in wild places like woodlands, forests, and mountains. Because worms hibernate, the winter robins feed primarily on berries, found on trees and shrubs in the woods. The Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife lists robins as native... (more)	—	about 9 years ago
Question	—	What types of trees are in these intertwined groups in Massachusetts? Last week we were walking at the Wachusett Reservoir in Central Massachusetts, USA. Next to the path was a group of mature trees, the largest of which was a maple, with various sizes of smaller tree trunks intertwined among them. In some of the groupings, the narrower trunks are wrapped around the ... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: What is this plant? Is it Poison Oak? I have no knowledge of the plant, but I did find some interesting information, which I hope will help you. Western Poison Oak, also called Pacific Poison Oak, is common in your region. Poison oak, also known as Western poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), is native to western North America w... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	Do Herons travel alone in New England? We live in Massachusetts, and love trees, flowers, and wildlife of all kinds. Sometimes when wandering around marshy areas, especially in New Hampshire and Vermont, we're blessed with a sighting of a Heron. I don't know how to identify the breeds, but I think Great Blue may be the most common in our ... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	What is this small, bright yellow, mushroom found in the woods in Massachusetts? Last week, my husband was walking on a path beside a shallow brook in Rutland State Park, a wooded area in central Massachusetts, USA. He came across a bright yellow mushroom with a very short, white stem. It was very small, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) high and just a bit wider. The cap was fully rounded, ... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to encourage birds into the garden of a rented house? We had a very similar yard at our last house, and had to work quite hard to attract the birds, but once they settled in, they stayed for the three years we lived there, so it was well worth it! Food has been thoroughly covered, so I'll discuss other things that helped us. (I'll come back and post so... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	What animal might uproot and relocate a newly-transplanted sedum? My husband transplanted a sedum to an area under our bird feeders about ten feet away. The plant is 6 inches wide, 14 inches long, and the hole was approximately 10 inches deep. After removing it, he filled in the original hole. The following morning, the entire plant had been dug up and returned to ... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Question	—	What are Miner bees, and how do they differ from other bees? While walking in a state park in New Jersey last week, my husband and I came upon what looked like anthills. This small sign was posted on a nearby tree: "Please don't step on the mounds of dirt. Miner bees are at work below!" We generally avoid anthills anyway, so as not to injure the ants. As far... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: Why do Robins tilt their head to the side before pulling a worm out of the ground? You are indeed correct that robins use their eyes individually as they tilt their head from side to side. It's known as monocular vision, and is how they, and many other birds, locate their food, primarily worms and grubs. In May, 1965, an ornithologist named Dr. Frank Heppner published a 10-page r... (more)	—	over 9 years ago
Answer	—	A: How to minimize sea sickness? In addition to all the excellent advice, I'd like to recommend a few other things that help me. I have a digestive disorder, as well as an inner ear disease which causes the type of vertigo commonly experienced on moving boats. As @jrovermier mentioned, ginger has been medically proven to help naus... (more)	—	over 9 years ago

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