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Fair ~ River stage: 18.33 ft. Rising Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 |
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Identifying Mountain lion tracksPosted Monday, January 30, at 4:23 PM Finding tracks on your property can be exciting, especially if they're large and unfamiliar. Determining the culprit who left those tracks behind is easier if you know what to look for. The recent experience with the live Mountain lion trapped near Centerville was a wonderful opportunity for an in depth lesson in track identification. ...
An element of surprise can make an exciting day even more meaningful. Had I known Thursday morning what was in store for me that day, I would have hopped out of bed with a bit more pep. But, expecting a casual day at the office, I began the day with the usual grumbles...
The holidays are over, but that doesn't mean we don't have any visitors this month. January is the perfect time to go out to our conservation areas and check out who's migrating through. Wednesday afternoon at Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area (CA) in Mississippi County, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of a Whooping crane that was reported on the area earlier in the week. ...
There's a mockingbird that's returned to the Carolina Buckthorn shrub outside my office window for the fourth winter in a row. The thick shrub with its plethora of bright red berries is a prime location for the bird to take shelter from the cold. Mockingbirds are a delight to have around because of their unmatched variety of volume and musical notes. While I work in my office, I enjoy glimpses of the bird as he looks for food or simply takes his post on one of the many branches...
Saturday's Nature Art program at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center left me with no other choice than to give in to the holiday spirit. The theme was "Nature's Décor" and the class left no décor-challenged individual behind. Led by Nature Center Volunteers Sue Corvick and Mary Jane Feiser each participant added natural items such as evergreen branches, holly bunches, magnolia leaves, acorns and pine cones to grape vine wreaths...
While patrolling with conservation agents this week, I had the opportunity to witness how the Telecheck system has become a multi-tool for both hunters and conservation agents. 2011 marks the sixth year since the birth of the Telecheck system, which requires hunters to check deer and turkey electronically--either by phone or Internet. ...
Two loves of my life, Conservation and Star Wars, are about to be intertwined in the same production. This year's annual Creatures of the Night event at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will be Oct. 28 and 29 and it's going to be fabulous...
Ever wonder why some of our native species look like they came from another planet? The thought crossed my mind this week when I was out on the Diversion Channel with Fisheries Biologist Dave Knuth and got an up close look at a Paddlefish. Locally known as a Spoonbill, the designation as Missouri's official state aquatic animal automatically grants the fish some respect. But when I examined the Paddlefish I couldn't help but marvel at how odd it looked...
There's nothing cuter than small children trying to manipulate a fishing pole. This was the scene Saturday as hundreds of people of all ages -- but mostly small children and their parents - converged on the Jerry P. Combs Lake at Little River Conservation Area. ...
It's time for ruby-throated hummingbirds to gear up for their annual fall migration to Central America. That also means it's time for the annual Hummingbird Celebration at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in Cape Girardeau from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow. All activities at this event are free to the public...
Boredom is a rare feeling in conservation. But when that stale nudge hits me, all I have to do is take a peek at our Outdoor Skills Specialist's calendar of upcoming events. DeeDee Dockins is a woman who could put anyone to shame on the shooting range or in the hunting woods. But the cool thing about DeeDee is that even though she could put us all to shame with her outdoorsy prowess, she chooses not to...
Some of my best childhood memories are of playing in the creek near my great-grandparents farm and it's so rewarding to carry on those memories as I make more with my husband and our son. Though the family farm was sold many years ago, I find there's always cool water to be found on our conservation areas and state parks. ...
I had a personal experience with a Black bear this week that made me think of being "Bear Aware" in a whole new way. "Bear Aware" is a phrase that's becoming more common in Missouri. As Missouri's Black bear population grows, so does the likelihood of human-bear interaction. ...
Every Missourian knows chiggers are the worst pests in the summer months. Chiggers are so widely known -- and feared -- that in certain months they are the most often searched for topic on the Missouri Department of Conservation website. First, they appear as annoying red bumps. Then the itch begins and spreads. But a little education can go a long way when it comes to taking this itch out of your summer...
A look at goose banding Last time I described a recent goose banding event here in Cape Girardeau County. In the video below, Matt Bowyer, a wildlife biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), describes the reasons for the project. This short video will also give you an up close view of how the biologists catch and band the birds...
The life of a Canada goose in Cape Girardeau County is pretty good. Their goals are simple; find a good pond with some tasty vegetation, sleep and raise young. This life of leisure for area geese was slightly disturbed last week as 328 of them were rounded up and fitted with identification bracelets...
Go cubs! Ok, I must clarify. I am an enthusiastic Cardinal's baseball fan. I almost couldn't type the words "go" and "cubs" in the same line together. But this blog isn't about baseball or birds. It's about Missouri's growing Black bear population. So, for a minute, forget about our rival baseball team and ponder the fact that Black bear sightings are increasing in Missouri, specifically cub sightings. ...
During the hot summer months we all want to be in a boat on a lake or river. But as we enjoy the sunshine and cool waters it's important to keep in mind what we don't want to take home with us when we go. One of Missouri's most unwanted invasive species, the zebra mussel, is all too good at stowing away on our boats and gear. When successful, they can wreak havoc on our most pristine waterways...
Last time I wrote about kid's events at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, but it can't always be about the kids. The nature center also has events specifically designed for teachers through the summer, called Educator Workshops. "Conservation education workshops can be very beneficial for educators. Often in ways they might not expect" said Education Consultant Bridget Jackson...
Imagine your teenager learning firsthand from wetland biologists about Mississippi River ecology or your seven year-old getting excited about science while they spend the night learning about nature from our area's top nature experts. If you take a look at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center calendar, you'll notice its packed full of activities that will get our kids excited about nature all through the summer...
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Candice Davis is the Media Specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation's Southeast and Ozark regions. Though raised to appreciate the Missouri outdoors, Candice is discovering nature on a new and exciting level as she gets up close and personal with snakes, insects, and Southeast Missouri's diverse landscape. Her goal is to share her learning experiences and show Southeast Missourians how they're directly connected to their land.
Hot topics Identifying Mountain lion tracks(  1 ~ 11:52 AM, Jan 31)
The day I met a Mountain lion
Perfect time to bird
Blue jay battles mockingbird
Decking the halls with Nature's Décor
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