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Fishers, sometimes called “fisher cats,” on the East side of Taunton

East side of Taunton, down by the Glen. May 6th

Fishers, sometimes called “fisher cats,” are elusive and often misunderstood creatures. Though they’ve gained a reputation as vicious predators, fishers are shy and solitary, preferring to avoid humans whenever possible. Because they are rarely seen, many people don’t know much about them. This has led to some common misconceptions about their behavior.

You may have heard the claim that fishers let out a blood-curdling scream before making a kill, but that is not the case. Making too much noise while hunting would alert prey to their presence, decreasing their chances of catching food. It would also let other predators and scavengers know that there is an easy meal to steal nearby.

While fishers do make a number of sounds, they tend to be quiet creatures. Most of their vocalizations are limited to quiet growls and chuckle-like grunts. They are able to make a screaming sound, but this is a very rare occurrence that only happens when the animals are under extreme stress or in unusual circumstances. However, the fisher above was wailing like a new born baby.

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Diatoms of East Taunton, MA

In 2002, the hit series Forensic Files featured the first case where Diatom evidence was used to place a suspect at the scene of the crime. The episode was called Reel Danger. Check it out

Diatoms are unicellular algae which form distinct and beautiful cell walls from silica. They are widely distributed throughout the upper layers of the oceans of the world, and can also be found in fresh water or moist environments, such as the undersides of plants. There are over 16,000 recognized diatom species, with many more being constantly identified. Because diatoms are so plentiful, they form an important part of the pelagic food chain, serving as a food source for most of the animals in the ocean, either directly or indirectly. which form distinct and beautiful cell walls from silica. They are widely distributed throughout the upper layers of the oceans of the world, and can also be found in fresh water or moist environments, such as the undersides of plants.  This group of unicellular, photosynthetic microorganisms is well-known for a wondrous, intricate architectural beauty. However, there is more to a diatom than simply its pretty face. As a major branch in the tree of life, over the past 250 million years from a mosaic of genetic sources it has evolved molecular metabolic machinery adaptive to a variety of circumstances, and it has generated a species diversity rivaling that of flowering plants. Diatoms have evolved to become important local and global players in recycling life’s critical nutrients, influencing the composition of the earth’s environments and powering the planet’s aquatic ecosystems, as well as elucidating their history. This web site focuses on their evolution and ecology.

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Coyotes of East Taunton

The eastern coyote is well established throughout
Massachusetts except on Nantucket and Martha’s
Vineyard. A medium-sized predator, it is an opportunistic
feeder and extraordinarily adaptable to a wide range of
habitats. Coyotes thrive in suburban, urban, and rural
areas. They will utilize whatever food is naturally available,
including small animals, birds, insects and fruits, as well as
artificial sources such as garbage, pet food, birdseed, and
compost. The video below are clips from trail cam, East Taunton, MA.

Down by the Glen

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Taunton, My New Place

Today. Wrong lens for a good shot, but better than none. Though I was back in Dighton this morning.

“You’re capable of such beautiful dreams.” Carl Sagan

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A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections, – a mere heart of stone.

Charles Darwin

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Just let them come

Sometimes I am just to lazy to leave the back patio. So, I just wait for them to come to us. The lingering light was rapidly falling tonight, but not before a Deer wandered nearby.  The  night sky stood an inky canopy of darkness when it came back later on its journey home, a bit to dark for a good picture though.

 

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More Back Yard Fun

While rain is often desperately desired for home lawns and gardens, it can bring problems.  One of those ‘problems’ can pop up quickly literally overnight–mushrooms. The majority of mushrooms are nuisance problems, appearing repeatedly if conditions are right. They may have an odor. They are annoying but cause no damage to the grass or to our landscape plants. Most fungi in lawns are beneficial, because they decompose organic matter buried in the soil, releasing nutrients that are then available for plant growth. Never eat mushrooms growing in your lawn or garden. The majority are poisonous.

…….And one more thing, they sure are beautiful. Capture the image before things dry out

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Challenge Yourself

Grab the kids, put down the cell phones, pick up your camera and for a moment, sit still and just look around. A photographer can bring life what you thought was just your mundane back yard. As you can see, we just love the Cardinals.

 

 

 

 

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Humming Birds back in North Dighton

The male ruby-throated hummingbird is unmistakable, with glossy green feathers above and a stunning gorget that glitters like its namesake. Even the females are easily identified, for this species is the only hummingbird that commonly appears in Massachusetts although other humming birds such as the  green-and-orange female Rufous Hummingbird will visit your garden or feeders as well. Did you know, hummingbirds can enter a special state called torpor, similar to what we term hibernation in mammals, in which their metabolism slows down tremendously. A hummingbird in torpor is almost impossible to awaken! This can be beneficial during times food is scarce.  Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that nests in the eastern United States.

Below, using GoPro Hero to film at 240 fps

Watch Here

below: A bit of fun with Topaz filters