jakes fun facts about nature

How do Birds Stay Warm in Winter?

/ Mark Danenhauer

It is cold outside during winter in the Rocky Mountains and before my owner takes me outside for a walk he always grabs a nice, warm coat.  That coat keeps him warm during the cold temperatures. Luckily for me I don’t need to put on a coat since I am already wearing a nice coat of fur.

I wonder how other animals stay warm during winter?  What about  birds?  I know that in the fall there are a lot of birds that go south for winter – so their strategy to stay warm is to migrate.  But, not all birds migrate.  How do those birds that stay in the Rocky Mountains during winter stay warm?  Here is a fun nature fact for you. Continue reading →

Where are the Fish in Winter?

/ Mark Danenhauer
seasons rocky mtns winter pano 2

Snow covered Rocky Mountains in winter

Last week I went for a walk in the Rocky Mountains on a snowy trail that wandered through some evergreen trees and ended up at an ice covered lake.  The ice was thick enough for me to run on, although it was hard because every time I tried to slow down or turn I slipped and fell down.

The funny thing is, I remember hiking to that same lake in the Rockies during the summer and watching my owner catch fish.  He must have caught ten trout in that lake and a couple more in the stream that leaves the lake on the way up the valley.  But, now I see nothing except ice and snow.

It makes me wonder where are all of the fish?  Here comes another fun nature fact. Continue reading →

Do Any Animals Have Babies in Winter?

/ Mark Danenhauer

As we have talked about before all animals main goal is life is to survive, which includes having babies.  This means that animals have their babies at the time of year that gives them the best chance of surviving.

For the majority of animals that means timing it so that they have their babies when the there is the greatest abundance of food resources – meaning the springtime.  When we think of spring time we think of new plants growing and babies – baby birds in nests, baby coyotes and wolves…and baby bears emerging from their dens (?) Continue reading →

What is the Largest Living Thing on Earth?

/ Mark Danenhauer

All around us in the Rocky Mountains we are surrounded by different forms life.  In this blog I have talked about some of those including wildflowers, trees, birds, mammals, and others.  I have talked about some of the smallest animals in the Rocky Mountains, such as ants, bees, and butterflies, and some of the larger animals, including a moose and grizzly bear.

But, what is the largest living thing in the Rocky Mountains or even the entire World? Continue reading →