In last month’s column (April Showers bring Vernal Pools) I talked a lot about Ohio’s native amphibians (frogs, toads, and salamanders). This month I want to talk about Ohio’s native reptiles, more than half of which can be found in Portage County. Reptiles are cold-blooded (the scientific term is ectothermic), breathe air, and are covered with scales.
Spring is here! The school year is winding up, the days are getting warmer, and rain is falling. Spring rain is essential. It waters all the new plant growth, pulls pollen out of the air, and boosts water table and wetland levels.
Save the Bees. I’m sure you’ve heard or seen such slogans increasingly over the past couple of decades. Of course, I’m all for saving any species, but some of the claims of activist groups on bee decline are a bit frightening. In trying to research the topic of bees and their necessity to humanity’s survival, I found varied and often contradictory reports. Sifting through the data, a few undeniable truths emerged.
Portage County weather. Everyone jokes about it: Wait five minutes and the weather will change; you can experience all four seasons in the span of a few hours; Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind.
It’s March, and spring is in the air, literally. No matter if the month came in like a lion or a lamb, look and listen to the skies for vernal evidence. Harbingers of spring are winging their way north as you read this. And no, I’m not talking about robins. Robins don’t actually migrate; they stay in Portage County year-round. So that ‘first robin of spring’ sighting isn’t something to get all worked up about.
If you’ve been noticing a foul odor in the air recently, you’re not alone. Unpleasant as it may be there is a natural cause for your nose to be offended. In Ohio, February is breeding season for skunks.
Just over half of us make New Year’s resolutions. The most common ones revolve around physical and mental wellbeing. Topics like exercise, fitness, and losing weight weigh heavy on our minds. Just as important are issues such as socializing, de-stressing, finding life’s balance, inner peace and others that fall under the mantle of mental health.
It’s that time of year when people are decorating for the holidays. It’s estimated that only around 23% of homes displaying Christmas trees will choose the real thing.