The Rachel Carson Reserve (Written for The Ecotone Exchange)
All photos by Maymie Higgins This past summer I visited a part of the North Carolina coast I had yet to explore in spite of being a lifelong resident … Continue reading
White Nose Syndrome: Formidable but Not Undefeatable (Written for The Ecotone Exchange)
Some months ago I shared with readers information about the ecological and economical value bats provide in the widely various ecosystems in which they live. They are particularly valuable in … Continue reading
One of the World’s Largest and Oldest Sustainability Projects (Written for The Ecotone Exchange)
After the difficult winter of 2015, many of us have our hearts and minds transfixed on outdoor gardening activities. In my gardening research, I came across a huge success story … Continue reading
Chipmunks and Carbon Storage (Written for The Ecotone Exchange)
Sometimes the best positive stories of the environment come from our own backyard. When you sum up the effects of millions of backyard naturalists, the positive impact is significant for … Continue reading
Practices that Must End: Sensational Nature Programs
What is It? Sensational nature programs are the scripted and filmed activities of humans inserting themselves into wild animal habitats for a variety of entertainment possibilities. This programming type runs … Continue reading
Being Human, Being Caribou, and Being Wild (Written for The Ecotone Exchange)
The Wilderness Act was signed into law in 1964 by Lyndon B. Johnson. Therefore, this year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of a law which created the National Wilderness Preservation … Continue reading
That’s No Monkey! That’s Kendall! (Written for the Ecotone Exchange)
Talk to any zoo keeper about great apes and you may see them cringe substantially when it comes to two topics. The first topic has to do with the discernment … Continue reading
National Bison Day (Written for the Ecotone Exchange)
November 1 is National Bison Day. You can get in on the celebration through the Beards for Bison campaign by visiting http://www.beardsforbison.org/ which is organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society. … Continue reading
The Only Good Wolf is a Live Wolf
October 12th-18th is Wolf Awareness Week. During wolf week in 2013, I wrote about conservation efforts to preserve red wolves (Canis rufus). It has been a bad year for red … Continue reading
Shovels and Shade Provide Healing at the Footprints of Terror (Written for the Ecotone Exchange)
Recently, I visited New York and New Jersey in order to attend a family reunion. My last visit to Manhattan specifically had been in 1988, when the World Trade Center buildings still … Continue reading
State of the Rhinoceros: Ten Things You Need to Know
There are five species of rhinoceros: Black, White, Greater-one horned, Javan and Sumatran. Three of the five species have an imperiled listing by the International Union for Conservation of Nature … Continue reading
What You Should Know About Amphibians
All photos courtesy of U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service It’s summertime and hopefully many of you have kids that are outdoors exploring. Some of you will be having conversations … Continue reading
Extinct in the Wild: Kihansi Spray Toad
Scientific Name: Nectophrynoides asperginis Historic Range and Habitat: The Udzungwa Mountains of eastern Tanzania in a very small range that is in the spray zone of Kihansi Falls in the Kihansi Gorge. What Kihansi … Continue reading
Extinct in the Wild: Polynesian Tree Snail
Scientific Name: Partula nodosa Historic Range and Habitat: Valleys and forested slopes of volcanic islands of the South Pacific, particularly the Society Islands of French Polynesia, including Tahiti. More than … Continue reading
Extinct in the Wild: Père David’s Deer
Scientific Name: Elaphurus davidianus Historic Range: Native to China. Fossils have been discovered in regions east of Xi’an and south of Harbin. Père David’s deer evolved in the Pliocene period … Continue reading
Extinct in the Wild: Hawaiian Crow
Scientific Name: Corvus hawaiiensis, also known as ‘Alalā (Cry like a child) Historic Range: The Hawaiian Crow is native to the Big Island and was most populous in upland forests, … Continue reading
Extinct in the Wild
During the month of June, I want to take readers on a journey of exploration into the topic of animals that have all but disappeared from the planet, but not … Continue reading
Carnivorous Plants and Startled Animals (Written for The Ecotone Exchange)
All text and photos by Maymie Higgins My favorite spot on Earth, Pleasure Island, includes a state park that is home to several carnivorous plants, Carolina Beach State Park. The … Continue reading
Binturong
All photos from the Creative Commons. Scientific Name: Arctictis binturong Also known as the “bearcat” because of its resemblance to both, but it is neither a bear nor a cat. … Continue reading
Eastern Gray Squirrel
All text and photos by Maymie Higgins At no time was my commitment to wildlife more clear to me. There he was, an orphaned tiny squirrel, eyes having just opened … Continue reading
What is Pollination and Seed Dispersal?
All photos and text by Maymie Higgins This month at The Whisker Chronicles, we will focus on specific plants and animals that are well-known for their interwoven roles in pollination … Continue reading
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
All photos by Maymie Higgins It is the first Saturday in April and I am sitting at my home office desk. As always, I have my laptop positioned so that … Continue reading
Who Takes Care of Orphaned, Injured or Kidnapped Wildlife? (Written for The Ecotone Exchange)
Photo courtesy of The Wildlife Center of Virginia Spring is the time of year when many young animals are born or hatched. It is also a time of year when … Continue reading
The Mystery of Bird Songs and Calls
“A robin feathering his nest Has very little time to rest While gathering his bits of twine and twig Though quite intent in his pursuit He has a merry tune … Continue reading
How To Help The Birds Affected By The Galveston Bay Oil Spill
1. Read about the ten bird species considered to be most vulnerable according to Audubon, and about the efforts that will be required to rescue and rehabilitate any birds … Continue reading
What Is That Crazy Bird Doing?!
Every spring, I am presented with stories by friends who want to know why birds are behaving in certain ways. Or sometimes they just want to explain to me why … Continue reading
Carolina Wren
Scientific Name: Thryothorus ludovicianus Where Carolina Wrens Live: Southeastern United States, north to Wisconsin and Michigan, southern Ontario, New York, and southern New England in brushy thickets, lowland cypress swamps, … Continue reading
Turkey Vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura The word vulture comes from the Latin vellere, which means to pluck or tear. Cathartes aura means either “golden purifier” or “purifying breeze,” quite a poetic … Continue reading
Pelican Island: The First U.S. National Wildlife Refuge
Bird feathers are incredible. They help control body temperature, provide power for flying and come in a wide array of vibrant colors. Some feathers are so beautiful that they were … Continue reading
Red-shouldered Hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus Where Red-shouldered Hawks Live: Forests and swamps with dead trees or other perches nearby from which to observe and hunt. Range includes eastern and northeast United … Continue reading
Roseate Spoonbill
Scientific Name: Ajaia ajaja Where Roseate Spoonbills Live: Mangrove swamps, mud flats and other marsh type habitat from southern Georgia and Florida, south through Central America down to Argentina. What … Continue reading
Hyacinth Macaw
Scientific Name: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus Where Hyacinth Macaws Live: Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay in semi-open habitats, usually in forests that have a dry season that prevents the growth of a tall … Continue reading
How Do You Take Your Eggs?
Eggs. What comes to mind when you read that word? I think of my favorite summertime breakfast served on a table with fresh cut roses from my garden. It’s the … Continue reading
American Kestrel
Scientific Name: Falco sparverius Where American Kestrels Live: Open areas such as meadows, grasslands, deserts, parks, farm fields, cities, and suburbs. Kestrels need access to trees for nesting cavities during … Continue reading
Eastern Bluebird
Scientific Name: Sialia sialis Where Eastern Bluebirds Live: Meadows, field edges, golf courses and other open areas surrounded by trees that offer suitable nest holes or perhaps even nest boxes … Continue reading
The Legacy and Future of the Endangered Species Act
Disclaimer: Like any good legislation, The Endangered Species Act is a dynamic law with the intended beneficiaries constantly changing. The data for this blog was obtained directly from the U. … Continue reading
Treasures on the Fort Fisher Basin Trail (Written for the Ecotone Exchange)
Text and Photographs By Maymie Higgins It was an adventure postponed far too long. For the past twenty years, my annual travel plans have consistently included at least one long … Continue reading
How Saving Orangutans Can Lower Your Cholesterol (Written for The Ecotone Exchange)
In my work as a nurse coach, I often explain to my patients the finer nuances of blood cholesterol laboratory results and how changes in nutrition can improve their numbers. … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Higgins Eye Pearlymussel
Scientific Name: Lampsilis higginsii Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1976 Endangered Species Listing Status: Endangered Conservation Efforts and Partners: In the early 1980s, biologists from the U.S. Fish … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: American Crocodile
Scientific Name: Crocodylus acutus Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1975 Endangered Species Listing Status: Endangered (Florida population is threatened, as of 2007) Conservation Efforts and Partners: Preserving and … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Desert Pupfish
Scientific Name: Cyprinodon macularius Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1986 Endangered Species Listing Status: Endangered Conservation Efforts and Partners: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arizona Game … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Eastern Indigo Snake
Scientific Name: Drymarchon corais couperi Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1978 Endangered Species Listing Status: Threatened Conservation Efforts and Partners: In one example, partnerships were formed with Auburn University, Zoo Atlanta, … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: American Burying Beetle
Scientific Name: Nicrophorus americanus Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1989 Endangered Species Listing Status: Endangered Conservation Efforts and Partners: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began capturing American … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Bog Turtle
Scientific Name: Clemmys muhlenbergii Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1997 Endangered Species Listing Status: Threatened Conservation Efforts and Partners: In 1986, a program began in Tennessee that ultimately … Continue reading
Celebrating World Pangolin Day: Temnick’s Ground Pangolin (Cape Pangolin)
Scientific Name: Manis temminckii Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1976 Endangered Species Listing Status: Endangered Conservation Efforts and Partners: Cape pangolins are protected by legislation in a few … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Okaloosa Darter
Scientific Name: Etheostoma okaloosae Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1973 Endangered Species Listing Status: Threatened The Okaloosa darter was originally listed as endangered in 1973, with only 1,500 … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Karner Blue Butterfly
Scientific Name: Lycaeides melissa samuelis Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1992 Endangered Species Listing Status: Endangered Conservation Efforts and Partners: Beginning with twelve members in 2001, The Butterfly … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Ozark Hellbender
Scientific Name: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 2011 Endangered Species Listing Status: Endangered Conservation Efforts and Partners: In 2011, the Saint Louis Zoo and the … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Bornean and Sumatran Orangutan
Scientific Name: (Pongo pygmaeus) and (Pongo abelii) While all orangutans were previously believed to be subspecies of the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), recent research supports the taxonomic classification of the … Continue reading
Celebrating Forty Years of the Endangered Species Act: Piping Plover
Scientific Name: (Charadrius melodus) Year Listed on the Endangered Species List: 1985 Endangered Species Listing Status: Endangered in the Great Lakes watershed. Threatened everywhere else. Conservation Efforts and Partners: In … Continue reading
