UP Nature Notes (Blog)
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Early Butterflies Catch the Photographer - UP Nature Notes, No. 16
May 9, 2024
Earth Day - 22 April 2024. These two early emerging butterflies will be flying today with the warm temperatures we’re having in the Upper Peninsula. Mourning Cloaks and Milbert’s Tortoiseshells both overwinter as adults, so they can appear in spring as soon as the weather allows. Both species have cryptic…
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More Big Trees for Big Birds - UP Nature Notes, No. 15
January 22, 2024
At about 17” in length, Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) are the largest woodpeckers in North America, unless you count the probably extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Accordingly, their main habitat requirement is large trees, including some that are dead and dying. Pileateds make large, extensive excavations in trees in search…
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Big Trees for Big Birds - UP Nature Notes, No. 14
January 2, 2024
Bald eagles typically have wingspans of more than six feet with males weighing 6-9 pounds and females weighing 10-15 pounds. Like the bird in the first photo, they prefer to perch on sturdy branches of big trees. When there are fish to be had, however, their excellent sense of balance…