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On The Trails: Mammalian dentition
Almost all mammals have teeth, whose primary function is feeding, although they sometimes have other functions such as display or weaponry.
Oct 12, 20253 min read
On The Trails: Fall foliage and more questions
Here in the coniferous forest, we don’t get the spectacular display of fall foliage colors that occurs in the eastern deciduous forest. But our cottonwoods and willows do produce bright yellows and golds.
Sep 28, 20253 min read
On The Trails: Beach rye, ergot, and flies; cottonwoods and leaf beetles (and lots of questions)
In late summer we usually notice dark "spurs" sticking out of beach rye inflorescences. That is a spore-bearing part of the ergot fungus (Claviceps purpurea) that infects rye flowers.
Aug 31, 20253 min read
On The Trails: A rescue; an odd association; bird flocks
An intertidal specimen of the sponge that often settles on shells and hermit crabs. Photo by KM Hocker. By Mary F. Willson My hummingbird...
Aug 24, 20254 min read
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