Fox Kits

This pair of fox kits are the youngest I have seen. They seem to have trouble walking. The two personalities were apparent with one being extremely curious and the other just waiting for food. More video from this location is unlikely since the den is so well hidden any regular filming would surely affect the kits. Hopefully a more exposed den will show activity. The best den for viewing is no longer active although I did get some footage of a vulture feeding on the carcass of its former resident; the cycle of life.

Dale

Franklin's Ground Squirrel

Some people might not think the sighting of a squirrel is all that spectacular but this rare sighting made our day as Windchill and I roamed the Meadows yesterday. This is the first time I have ever seen a Franklin's Ground Squirrel.

The WDNR lists it as a mammal of special concern and is state ranked as an S2: Imperiled in Wisconsin because of extreme rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making the species very vulnerable to extirpation from the state.

We first noticed it in a newly burned area where it's light color stood out against the blackened prairie ground. Had it been in an unburned area, we probably would have never noticed it.

It ran across the road back into the relative safety of the refuge with it's thick prairie grasses, hopefully a little safer from predators.



For more information visit the WDNR website:
Franklin's Ground Squirrel

Kathy J.

Bullsnakes in Wisconsin

What a great video posted by Dale.  Did you know that Bullsnakes are listed as a Protected Wild Animal by the WDNR?  The following is from their website.

The Bullsnake Sighting Initiative

Bullsnake

The Bullsnake sighting initiative objectives:
Bullsnakes are non-venomous constrictors that prey mostly on small mammals. They are typically associated with short-grass and sand prairie habitats, or savannah habitats. Within the Upper Midwest, prairie habitats have significantly declined due to agriculture, urbanization and vegetative succession that is the result of fire suppression. The loss of such habitat, particularly in areas critical for foraging, nesting, and over-wintering, has caused significant bullsnake populations declines. Now uncommon throughout much of the Upper Midwest, bullsnakes are listed as a Protected Wild Animal by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Despite this listing, however, little is known about the bullsnake's true distribution within Wisconsin. Few, if any, reports of bullsnake sightings occur annually in the state, and those that do occur are often anecdotal and difficult to substantiate.
In an attempt to obtain a greater amount of data on this species for its present and future conservation, a standardized protocol has been developed that makes use of the state's most invaluable tool...its citizens. This protocol creates a simple means by which the general public can report bullsnake sightings for validation and quantification, which in turn will help wildlife biologists and resource managers make sound conservation decisions regarding bullsnakes and their preferred habitat.
 
Report your sightings here

Kathy J.

Reptilian Rapture

I was wandering the prairie near James Rd. last week looking for a subject to video. My goal was to find pasque flowers in bloom then film bees or insects pollinating but this opportunity could not be overlooked. Two bull snakes were entwined when I arrived and separated two hours later. There were no pasque flowers or even plants to be found, maybe in a couple weeks the original plan will work.

Dale

Crex Wolves 2010

There seems to be a new pack on Crex. The latest information on the collared black puts him in the vicinity of Hinckley. These three as well as two others that did not stand still for a picture recently went through the refuge. Their reaction to the trail cam is interesting. The first time they are exposed to it they are shy and tend to stay at the edge of the IR flash. As you can see they soon become curious. Perhaps next time they will scent mark the stake.

If there are sightings while you are driving around please let the visitor center know. Helpful information includes location of sighting, the animal's color, unique characteristics (limp, etc.), and activity. Photos are helpful to identify individuals.

Dale

What is he doing?

After being gone for three weeks I am back for a week and one of the first tasks was checking trail cams. This camera was set up in our backyard to record ruff grouse drumming times so I could set up a blind and record in HD. A variety of visitors were recorded including a red squirrel, gray fox, several deer, a ruff grouse drumming, and this porcupine. This video must represent a scent marking behavior although it is only a guess. As a photographer recording behaviors I am constantly reminded how little I know about the animal world which keeps me coming back to time and again to film new material.

Dale

Spring Sandhills

I've noticed a subtle coloration change in the Sandhills since they've returned to Crex a few weeks ago.



The photo above was taken 3-23-10 and this Crane lacks a lot of the rusty brown colors. (click to enlarge all photos)

The photos below were taken 4-6-10. A quote from the WDNR EEK website says:
In the spring, they actually "paint" their feathers with mud to camouflage themselves in brown grasses. 



I watched this pair by the refuge repeatedly stick their bills in the mud then preen themselves. Minerals from the mud then color their feathers.

Turtle Time at Crex

Turtles are coming out of hibernation now and many are crossing the roads in Crex. This Blanding's Turtle was inches away from death as a truck went by just as it was just coming out on the road.

Painted Turtles are fighting for their spots in the sun.