The Nature of Phenology 12/12/20: Orion

Producers: Hazel Stark & Joe Horn
Host: Hazel Stark

As our calendar draws near the darkest day of the year, night sets in early and I can see one constellation that signifies that it is time to do a little more early evening stargazing: Orion.

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com.

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The Nature of Phenology 12/5/20: Red vs Gray Foxes

Producers: Hazel Stark & Joe Horn
Host: Hazel Stark

We mostly see red foxes in Maine, but southern Canada all the way to northern South America is also home to gray foxes. Here, these ten-pound gray foxes are more common in southern and midcoast Maine, but they are expanding their range northward. Red and gray foxes can look a lot alike, even though they are classified in different genera, but there are a few signs that can help you determine which one you might be looking at.

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com.

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The Nature of Phenology 11/28/20: Porcupines Mating

Producers: Hazel Stark & Joe Horn
Host: Hazel Stark

Since these corpulent critters move slowly and do not see very well, the times of year when they need to cover more ground are the times when they are more likely to get hit by cars. This time of year, in late fall, is one of two seasons when porcupines are on the move.

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com

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The Nature of Phenology 11/21/20: Birch Seeds

Producers: Hazel Stark & Joe Horn
Host: Hazel Stark

Paper birch, also known as white birch or canoe birch, is perhaps one of the most easy to identify northern trees thanks to its brilliantly white bark which peels readily into paper-like sections. The peak of their seed drop is in September through the end of November.

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com

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The Nature of Phenology 11/7/20: Daddy Long Legs

Producers: Hazel Stark & Joe Horn
Host: Hazel Stark

Contrary to popular belief, daddy long legs are not spiders. Like spiders and ticks, they are arachnids, but they are in a separate group from spiders. Daddy long legs are types of “harvestmen,” which are visually distinct from spiders due to their bodies appearing to be one oval—not segmented like spider bodies.

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com.

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The Nature of Phenology 10/31/20: Poisonous Mushrooms

Producers: Hazel Stark & Joe Horn
Host: Hazel Stark

Nature is full of trick or treating opportunities year-round. But there is one kingdom in Maine whose dark door you best avoid on a fanciful trick or treating adventure: the taxonomic kingdom of fungi.

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com.

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The Nature of Phenology 10/24/20: Spawning Brook Trout

Producers: Hazel Stark & Joe Horn
Host: Hazel Stark

Come fall, the brook trout don their spawning colors and all colors become more rich and vivid and their flanks blaze with fiery red. For a fish that needs to stay camouflaged to both avoid predators and ambush unsuspecting fish, mice, and insects, these colors may seem gaudy and outrageous. That is, until you understand their native range.

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com.

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