This time we’re talking about a local species – this came up because, here in the Seattle office, near the ship canal, I just started hearing their arrival this spring. You can check here to listen for yourself http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/caspian_tern/idThey remind me of pterodactyls, though I’ve never really heard one of those. The Caspian is the […]
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) Read More »
Sticking with the desert theme this week – this is the only type of rattlesnake found in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a heavy bodied snake with large dark spots, a triangular shaped head, a distinct eye stripe, and of course a rattle at the end of the tail. The largest specimen recorded in WA was
Western rattlesnake (Crotalus virdis) Read More »
Well, it’s unlikely Allisa is going to cover this one during her Seattle Audubon Master Bird Classes. This is the Hoatzin, a resident of the Amazon Basin and Orinco Delta in South America. The genus Opisthocomus comes from the Greek meaning “wearing long hair behind”. Well, ok then. This refers to the punk hairdo – or crest.
Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) Read More »
I’ve heard them described as “tiny dinosaurs”. This is a male and he is particularly vivid green so it looks like it’s breeding time. There’s a slight swelling at the underside base of the tail indicating his, ummmm, readiness to mate. Females are not quite so green and get a series of red bands along
Common Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) Read More »
This is an odd critter of the arctic tundra. It’s closest living relative is the golden takin – a goat-like animal of the Himalayas. Early explorers called them polar cattle or arctic bison. During the ice age they were found as far south as Kansas – imagine that! As the ice and tundra withdrew north,
Musk Ox (Ovibos moschatus) Read More »