Species Parade, Episode 21

When is a not-with-your-own-eyes-sighting a sighting? For several days and nights this summer, I’ve been ponying the horses down to a small parcel of Bureau of Land Management land for some grazing while I camp overnight. Years ago, the parcel had a grazing allotment which […]

Special Crosscountry Species Parade, Episode 13

If Audubon and the University of California can collect census through roadkills, then I can, too. Recently, I covered over 6,000 miles of highway and back roads, traveling to and from Utah (twice) and then Maine and back. I saw a lot of wildlife, including […]

Species Parade, Episode Twelve

After several weeks of mild weather, this weekend turned back the days. We had snow, rain, and cold. Wildlife seemed to respond by turning down activity. The woods, ridges and draws were quiet and still. Nonetheless, when it’s been warm, there’s been a whole lot […]

Species Parade, Episode Eleven

Spring in February? So it seemed. During last month, I saw two phenomena I usually witness in April or later: Canada geese flying up from the south. Magpies carrying nesting material. For weeks, we have enjoyed sunny, 50-degree days full of bird song and snow […]

Species Parade, Week Ten

Father Winter has put the hammer down on the Species Parade. Due to heavy snow, poor visibility, and a busy work schedule, this rendition of the Species Parade is pretty darn slim. I did, however, have the thrill of seeing an ermine dash across the […]

Species Parade, Week Nine

Moving 300 miles southeast and up 1,600 feet in elevation from my previous stomping grounds means a whole new environment and a whole new parade of species to celebrate. There are still juncos and deer. In town, there are still mostly white folks. But things […]

Species Parade, Week Nine

Moving 300 miles southwest and up 1,600 feet in elevation from my previous stomping grounds means a whole new environment and a whole new parade of species to celebrate. There are still juncos and deer. In town, there are still mostly white folks. But things […]

Species Parade, Week Eight

Travel Utah roads and you’ll see all kinds of wildlife. Trouble is, they’re all dead. Given today’s driving culture, though, it’s not unusual to conduct species counts via road kills. UtahOutsider’s species parade count bumped to 51 with sightings of newly dead mammals along highways […]

Species Parade, Week Eight

Species Parade, Week Seven

Back in the day, bird identification came with a gun, not a pair of binoculars. Of course, the explorers and scientists didn’t have a Peterson Guide on their desk. They quantified and qualified what would later make it into the Peterson Guide. Nearly two centuries […]