Are those spruce trees? Fir trees? Photo via Flickr.
Spruce vs. Fir. That is one of the questions that lots of budding naturalists have a hard time figuring out. Here are two tricks to help you tell those trees apart. Continue reading
Ladies…look at these beautiful feathers!
Bird courtship is an incredibly important part of a bird’s life. Do you know what crazy kinds of things birds will do when they are looking for a mate? Continue reading
It this a Crow or Raven?
If you see a black bird in the Rocky Mountains do you know if it is a Crow or Raven? Here are three simple tricks to help you tell them apart.
There are lots of birds in the Rocky Mountains, many of which are black. However, two large black birds that look very similar are hard to tell apart unless you know what to look for. Is it a Crow or Raven? Here are three simple tricks that I have learned over the years and use to help me tell apart a crow and raven.
Photo via Flickr.
On average is 18 inches tall.
All black.
They are very social birds and will often entertain themselves by getting other birds to chase them.
Crows are also very clever – for example they will follow ducks to catch fish.
A Raven is on average 24 inches tall, making it slightly bigger than a crow. It can be hard to tell the exact size of the birds from a distance though so the size of the bird is not the best way to differentiate the two.
All black.
Ravens are also very intelligent birds. Native Americans revered them and used to think of them as sly pranksters.
Ravens have learned how to open gates, and get inside of ziplock bags and coolers.
A crow flying. Look at that tail – it is more rounded or square shaped. Photo via Flickr.
How does the bird fly? Does it continually flap its wings while it is flying or does it stop flapping and soar at times? A Crow continually flaps its wings while flying. A Raven stops flapping and soars while it is flying.
A raven flying. Look at that tail…diamond shaped. Photo via Flickr.
Look at the bird’s tail when flying. When flying the tail of these two birds looks different. A Crow’s tail is more of a rounded or square shape. A Raven’t tail will appear to be more of a diamond shape when flying.
How many birds do you see? Ravens often travel in pairs. On the other hands crows are very social and tend to travel with lots of other birds.
Tall lodgepole pine trees are conifers.
Evergreens and conifers are both types of trees, but they are not the same. Do you know what is the difference between these? Continue reading
Keep a nice safe distance from wildlife. Photo via Flickr.
Knowing and following safety tips around wildlife are important for all people spending time in the great outdoors. These general safety tips will keep adults, children, visitors, and animals safe. Continue reading
Photo via Flickr.
Here is a short video that we put together about my new book, Jake’s Nature Guide: Rocky Mountains. In this video I explain how the book help readers easily learn about the Rockies. Continue reading
Birds mating.
Bird reproduction is as complicated and as simple as reproduction of many other animals. Ultimately, the male and female come together to make a baby. Continue reading
Tips to keep kids safe in the outdoors.
Children safety is of the utmost importance anytime you spend time in the Rocky Mountains. Of course, as a parent you need to strike a balance between being safe and being overly protective. Continue reading
Is a raven born precocial or altricial?
Precocial birds are born very different than altricial birds. Do you have any idea what those fancy terms mean in terms of newborn birds? Continue reading
A snake skin that has been shed. Photo via Flickr.
It is true that all reptiles shed their skin, but do you know why? Interestingly, the different kinds of reptiles in the Rocky Mountains do this in their own way. Continue reading