Ask a Naturalist: let's jump right into it

We've got a question!

Keith Kline (@synkline) asks:
Just how long does a garter snake live?

That made me laugh, because I feel like I was indirectly set up by Todd. It was his newsletter article I reposted yesterday (and should have credited. I'll go back and fix that), and you'll notice that it's one of the questions he asks -- and doesn't answer -- in his opening paragraph. The answer to the freezing frogs, by the way, can be found in our Winter 2012 newsletter, which should be in your mailbox in the next few days. If you're not a Friends of the Kerry Wood Nature Centre member and would like a copy, just drop by the Nature Centre to pick one up.

Anyway. Back to garter snakes. We have three species of garter snakes in Alberta: the Red-Sided Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), the Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix), and the Wandering Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans). Here in Red Deer we see the Red-Sided and the Plains, but not the Wandering, which is also known as the Western Terrestrial.

I had a look in the Kerry Wood Reading Room library and found a little bit of information, but a bit more searching on the internet led me to Simply Wild Canada and its summary page of Canadian Garter Snakes. It seems to agree pretty well with some of the other sources I looked at so I'll use their figures here. Red-Sided Garter Snakes are our longest-lived local garter snake, with a lifespan of up to 14 years (although Snakes Alive says that only 1 in 5000 snakes makes it to 12 years). The Plains Garter Snake lives up to 7 years, and the Wandering Garter Snake up to 9 years. Keep in mind that for any snake to live that long requires a fair amount of luck, since especially in their early years they can be eaten by a variety of predators.



Remember, you can send us your nature and environment questions via Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail (general at waskasoopark dot ca). Please use the hashtag #ecospeak on your question, or put Ask an E-Naturalist in your e-mail subject line.

Thanks for starting us off, Keith! 

Ask an E-Naturalist

How do snowflakes form? Why do leaves change colour in the fall? Do frogs really freeze solid in the winter, really? What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?  How many years will a garter snake live?

Well, except for the swallow question – you’ll need to consult the higher powers at Monty Python for that one – we can provide you the answers to these and all your other nature and environment-related questions. And as part of the bargain, you get to try out our handy Twitter feed and/or our Facebook page by asking us your questions.

In the past we’ve run “Ask a Naturalist” columns in the daily paper. These columns had their pros and cons. On the upside we generated a lot of interest in myriad nature topics. On the downside with only a weekly column and limited space, we couldn’t answer all the questions in a timely manner. So, in order to get to all the questions out there, as efficiently as possible, we’ve evolved the concept. Effective immediately we are accepting questions for our new Q&A forum, Eco-speak. The way it will work is this:

• Send us your nature and/or environment-based questions via Twitter, Facebook or email. Make sure to use the hashtag #ecospeak. We prefer getting submissions through Facebook and Twitter as people can see all the questions being asked. However, all questions will be answered in the order we receive them; regardless of how they were submitted.

• We will research, write and post the answers on our blog at waskasoopark.blogspot.ca, and publish a link to the post on our Facebook and Twitter, again using the hashtag #ecospeak.

• You can then read the answers and share the links with your friends and social media networks.

You can find us on Facebook by liking the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society page, and you can follow us on Twitter @NatureCentre.

Now, I know there are people out there with some reluctance to join the conversations on Twitter and Facebook. For you I have two options.

1. Please feel encouraged to send us your questions in whatever form you feel comfortable using. If electronics are not your thing, you can phone us, send us a real letter or drop in for a visit and a cup of tea. We’ll answer your questions.
2. Jump in to the social networks with both feet. We have been truly amazed by the amount of feedback we get through our Facebook page and our Twitter account. If you’re intimidated, call us and ask for help. You can come down to the Nature Centre and we’ll walk you through the basics of setting up an account, sending messages, following people and organization that interest you and, help you begin to contribute to the dialogue. In fact, we’d love to do this with you.

Now, we know that you could simply ask Google your questions. But then, only you have that answer. If you send your question to us then you, our hundreds of regular blog readers, our 500 Twitter followers and their followers, and our Facebook audience of thousands will be in on the conversation. The potential for sharing nature and environment-related information is huge.

Todd Nivens, Programs Coordinator

It's That Time Again

Every year, we host the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, here in Red Deer. This annual event is our most important fundraiser and the event that brings us in contact with the biggest cross-section of the population.

Over two nights in January (the 10th and 11th, 2013), we and nearly a thousand of our closest friends will screen 2 1/2 hours of the best mountain culture, sport, nature, and adventure films that debuted at the 2012 Banff Mountain Film Festival. In past years we've seen everything from 90 minute epics featuring solo cycling trips across India and Australia, to five minute B.A.S.E. jumping films geared for the adrenaline junkies among us.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour serves a couple of important purposes here in Red Deer. Obviously as a fundraiser, we depend on the proceeds from the two-night event to support our ongoing environmental education programming. However, there is an important social function at play here as well. By the time January 10 rolls around, we'll have had a lot of cold weather, Christmas has passed and we're looking at a long stretch until spring time. The event gets us out of our houses on a cold winter night and brings together a huge group of people in an act of community togetherness.

Tickets are on sale now at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Valhalla Pure Outfitters Red Deer and Purearth Organics. Tickets are $20 + GST each night or $36 + GST for both nights.

Community Spirit Grant

Thanks to the Community Spirit Grant awarded to the Friends of the KWNC it was able to help WEES fund the volunteer coordinator position in 2012

Starlings in Fall

bob kruchten‏@rkruchten

Oct 30- 2 callers - birds in flocks brown and black white spots on breasts; starlings in fall plumage. identified by BIRD CD in KWNC bkstore

Snow in the Sanctuary

We've been a lot busier with Twitter than the blog lately (you can follow us at @NatureCentre), but today I thought I'd take a quick walk on the Dr George Trail to see what I could find after our recent snowfall.

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I'm most definitely not a fan of snow or cold, but there's no denying that a covering of snow can give an interesting insight into what's sharing the trails with our human visitors. As always, click on the photos to see larger versions:

Our deer population likes to sneak snacks from the bird feeders when no one's watching.

Deer tracks down the sides of the path; humans down the middle.

Red squirrels tend to use the same runs over and over as they go from tree to tree.

I found moose tracks down the trail to the bird blind.

If you keep your eyes open, you may even see bird tracks in the snow.

Here's a track I'd sooner not see. Please remember, everyone, that dogs aren't allowed in the Sanctuary. There are plenty of other great places in Waskasoo Park to go walking with your dogs, but in the Sanctuary the wildlife should always come first.

I hope you'll take a moment in the next day or two to see what other tracks you can find. In the meantime, Halloween is coming quickly, and Kathryn has some fantastic things planned for our Family Drop-in Halloween on Saturday, October 27. It runs from 6 - 8 pm, and admission is $3/person or $10/family. Dress up, and come explore the spookier side of nature. Call us at 403-346-2010 for more information.

Seen in the Sanctuary

I took a quick trip around the Dr George trail at noon because it just looked like too nice a day to stay indoors. Here's a little of what I saw:

I always love dragonfly season. This one's a female Meadowhawk (probably a Pale-faced Meadowhawk, although she's unhelpfully hiding her face here). Meadowhawks are one of the smaller types of dragonfly.

I'm including this shot mostly just because I have a sneaking suspicion that I've been taking photos of this same exact bird all summer long. Likes to pose, I guess.

The dew on this Grass Spider web made it show up a lot better than they usually do. The hole to the right is actually more of a funnel (the webs themselves are called funnel webs). The spider would be hiding at the bottom of the funnel, waiting for potential prey to vibrate the web.

And finally, apparently the squirrels are enjoying the Little Forts in Peculiar Locations art installation as much as I have. If you haven't yet had a chance to look for the forts, make sure you stop by the Marjorie Wood Gallery first to pick up your map.

Seen in the Sanctuary

It's a warm, sunny day out there, and that usually slows things down for the animals in the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary just like it does for us. Call it their version of sitting on the beach this long weekend, if you like, but hot weather generally makes it pretty quiet out there. I was out this morning to see what I could see, though, and here's a quick look at some of the things I found.

We usually have one or two resident bats, but today there were five. If you'd like to know where they hang out, just ask our front desk staff and they'd be happy to show you.

Damselfly. A bluet of some sort, I think, but I haven't looked it up yet.

A Barn Swallow on the bird blind.

This is an Anglewing, and I'm pretty sure that it's a Green Comma. I didn't get a look at the ventral side of the wing, though (unusual, that. Usually when I have the camera out they refuse to open their wings rather than refusing to close them), so I'm not absolutely certain.

 

Sharp-eyed visitors may notice a few new temporary additions along the Dr George Trail. They're part of our new art installation, Little Forts in Peculiar Locations by Robin Lambert. It's a fantastic and unique show, and I urge everyone to come down to the Marjorie Wood Gallery to check it out!

 

Alberta Land and Life
Issues # 1,2 and 3 available at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre bookstore.
Price $5.95

Kisiskaciwan by Vernon Wishart

Kisiskaciwan(Saskatchewan)

A great fictional historical read by Vernon Wishart, the triple great  grandson of Kisiskaciwan, the first nations wife of the Hudson's Bay fur trader William Flett. It brings to light an ancestral Cree woman whose story was lost when her descendants came under pressure to bury their Aboriginal sides of their heritance.. It reveals trhe changing world of the Cree as they lived through the fur trade and the early days of the Red River setttlement. Available at the Kerry Wood Nature Bookstore.

Baby bird season

Even on a rainy day, there's still plenty to see in the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary; especially when we're in the middle of baby bird season. Here are a few quick pictures of some of the lake families. As usual, click on the photo for a larger version:

The baby Barn Swallows are out of their nest on the Bird Blind and waiting to be fed. Believe me, the parents were letting me know they were there as I took this shot.

Just one of the many duck families to be found on the lake at the moment.

The young American Coots are past their incredibly ugly stage (ask anyone who's seen a Coot baby. Incredibly ugly is about right. And, incredibly, partially orange-coloured) now. In this picture the young one's on the left and the adult's on the right.

A busy day on the lake. I find that it's often worthwhile to go walking in a light rain. There are usually less people about, and that can mean better viewing opportunities for those with the patience. And, of course, a decent raincoat.

I Can't Be Any Clearer: Stay off the River

On my morning bike-ride to work, I shot some video of the Red Deer River with my helmet cam. It's pretty evident that people should just stay off the river for the next couple of weeks. However, Blogger won't let me upload it for some reason. You can find it at our YouTube site.

In the meantime, here are the streamflows from 8:00 this morning. The blue line is the current rate of flow, the dotted lines are the seasonal high/low norms. 

The lesson to take away is, stay off the river until things calm down.

Happenings on the Lake

I'll admit that this is one of my favourite times of year in the Sanctuary. The Boreal Chorus Frogs are calling up a storm, the Tree Swallows are back and chirping away (two of my personal favourite spring sounds, and right out our back door here at the Nature Centre), and everything's in a bit of a bustle to get started. I went out for a quick walk to the bird blind on the West Gaetz lake this morning to see what was going on, and here's a little of what was out there:

Look out the "windows" on the boardwalk before the deck proper and you may be able to spot this Red-necked Grebe on its nest.

The male Ruddy Ducks are currently displaying for the females and chasing the other males away. They're very entertaining, and are busy all around the deck.

 A look at a few of the Canada Geese -- and friend -- hanging out on the West Lake.

It's supposed to be a great weekend for a walk, so bring your camera, binoculars, and bird book and join us out on the trails!

Another sign of spring in the Sanctuary

Jim sent this photo of a floating nest with an egg in it, which was taken on May 3rd by the bird blind on West Gaetz Lake. I'm the first to admit that I'm not a bird person; would anyone out there like to ID it for me?

Spring things

After noticing that one of our bats has made it back to his roost on the building (I blogged a photo of the roost last year, so check this post if you'd like to see it), I thought I'd take a quick walk out to the bird blind to see what other spring returnees we have on the West Lake.

Oddly enough, I barely had to get out the back door to see my first lake dweller. The Red-winged Blackbirds are back, and they'll often come over to the feeders to stock up on quick energy. Something to watch for.

Out on the lake itself, it's very obvious from the "complaining" that the Coots are back. There are also Canada Geese, a whole bunch of ducks (a little too far down the lake for me to have much of a go at identifying anything but the Mallards), and Red-necked Grebes.

Elsewhere, you're sure to hear the Black-capped Chickadees' "cheeseburger" calls as they set territory, and I think that I may have heard my first Tree Swallow of the season. Don't quote me on that one, though. I really look forward to the Tree Swallows' return, so it's pretty easy for me to wish myself into hearing it.

As far as plants go, my sinuses can tell you that Poplar pollen season is in full swing. On a more pleasant (for me, at any rate) note, I haven't noticed the Early Blue Violets blooming on the sides of the Sanctuary paths yet, but I have seen them in other places.

Spring's trying hard to happen, if you look for it. What's your personal favourite sign of spring in nature? Leave us a comment here, or tweet it with #reddeerspring. And if you're not already following us on Twitter, look for more of our spring sightings @NatureCentre.

Gear Sale Reminder

Just a last head's up to outdoor enthusiasts with outdoor gear to sell. Our Outdoor Gear Sale runs from 5:00 - 8:00 pm tonight. Bring your used-but-still serviceable outdoor equipment, set a price and see if it sells. If it does, we take 20%, you take the balance and the buyer has new toys to use in the great outdoors. Cash only please.

Outdoor Gear Sale

Check out what's coming up next week. I'm almost unreasonably excited about this event.

Todd

Two Positions Available at The Kerry Wood Nature Centre

Open Competition

School Programs, Public Programs  

&

Visitor Services Staff

The Waskasoo Environmental Education Society, a non-profit charitable society that operates the Waskasoo Park Interpretive Program on contract for The City of Red Deer, has a number of part-time positions available for the coming spring and summer for School Programs Interpreters and Visitor Services Attendants.

Based at Red Deer's Kerry Wood Nature Centre, the successful applicant(s) will assist with the design and delivery of our spring school-programs and provide natural history and tourist information to the general public. The position also entails operating the building when other staff are away, retail sales work, light clerical duties (word processing, poster-making etc.), assisting the Park Interpreters with their programming, and related duties such as program preparation/cleanup.

Essential Qualifications:

·         some post-secondary schooling in science, western Canadian natural history, education, or interpretation;

·         excellent public communication skills and experience / love for working with the public (including children);

·         good working knowledge of the natural history of central Alberta.

·         a neat appearance and the willingness to wear the Park uniform, and to abide by the WEES smoking and other policies;

·         the ability to work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers;

·         willingness and ability to stay the entire term of this position;

·         good health: some lifting is required;

·         good organizational skills and the ability to plan your schedule and workload;

·         current first aid / C.P.R. certificates;

·         reliable and trustworthy, punctual and conscientious;

Desirable Qualities:

·         Good working knowledge (conversational and written) of French is essential

·         experience in art or graphic design;

·         life guard certification

·         experience with computers (Windows environment) and basic word-processing, spreadsheets, database and desktop publishing; experience working on a computer network;

·         basic knowledge of the human history of central Alberta.

Wages, Term and Conditions of Employment:

 Part time for the spring and summer of 2012.

To Apply:

Apply in writing ASAP to:

Waskasoo Environmental Education Society

6300 - 45th Avenue

Red Deer, AB

T4N 3M4

Fax: 347-2550

e-mail: todd.nivens@waskasoopark.ca

Include a résumé outlining related experience and references, and
a brief letter explaining why the position is of interest to you. No phone calls, please.

One Job Available at Fort Normandeau

Open Competition:

 Living History Staff

The Waskasoo Environmental Education Society, a non-profit charitable society which operates the Waskasoo Park Interpretive Program on contract for The City of Red Deer, has three positions available for the coming summer as a Living History/Information Attendant.

Based at Red Deer's Historic Fort Normandeau, the successful applicant will provide living, cultural history and tourist information to the general public. The position also entails a small amount of retail sales work, light clerical duties (word processing, poster-making etc.), assisting the Park Interpreters with their programming, and related duties such as planning, program preparation/cleanup, research and dressing in period costume to deliver living history programs and special events.

Essential Qualifications:

·         excellent public communication/drama skills and experience with/love for working with the public (including seniors, adults and children);

·         post-secondary education in western Canadian history, education or interpretation

·         an excellent knowledge of the sights, attractions, major events, roads and parks of Red Deer, including the bike trails of Waskasoo Park;

·         current first aid/C.P.R. certificates;

·         a valid driver's permit and reliable transportation;

·         a neat appearance and the willingness to wear the Park uniform and period costumes properly, and to abide by the WEES smoking and other policies;

·         the ability to work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers;

·         willingness and ability to stay the entire term of this position;

·         willingness and ability to work most or all weekends and evenings;

·         good health: some lifting is required;

·         good organizational skills and the ability to plan your schedule and workload;

·         basic knowledge of the human history of central Alberta.

Desirable Qualities:

·         experience and training in drama;

·         experience in art, traditional crafts (e.g. poultry or other livestock husbandry, baking, quilting, candle-, ice cream-,  rope- or soap-making, sewing, spinning/weaving, animal husbandry, fence building, carpentry, wheel- or barrel-making, gardening, etc.)

·         experience with computers (Windows environment): word processing, spreadsheets, database, desktop publishing;

·         ability to cook on and bake in a wood-fired stove;

·         knowledge of the natural history of central Alberta.

·         retail sales experience;

Wages, Term and Conditions of Employment:

·         May  to September 2012, inclusive.

·         This is a full-time summer position (37.5 hours/week, for 17 weeks)

·         Accommodation is not provided.

·         Regular evening and weekend work is required.

To Apply:

Apply in writing asap to:

Waskasoo Environmental Education Society

6300-45th Avenue

Red Deer, AB

T4N 3M4

Fax: 403 347-2550

email: todd.nivens@waskasoopark.ca

Include a résumé outlining related experience and references, and
a brief letter explaining why the position is of interest to you. No phone calls, please. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Earth Hour 2012

Don't forget, everyone: Earth Hour is coming up on Saturday March 31 from 8:30 - 9:30 pm. Turn off as many of your electrical devices as you can for an hour, and let's see how much we can reduce our consumption.

For more information and suggestions on what to do with your electricity-free hour, check out the City of Red Deer's page here.

Kerry Wood Nature Centre Welcomes Traditional Storytellers

 

The Kerry Wood Nature Centre is thrilled to be welcoming Karen Gummo, Mandy Griffiths and Arelene Bastien for World Storytelling Day, to be celebrated at the Nature Centre on March 24. This event will showcase storytellers and their craft in a setting that many Red Deerians have come to cherish, the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary.

On March 24 from 1:00 – 4:00, people are welcomed to join us as we are immersed in stories from local First Nations people and from Scandinavian countries. “The theme for this year’s World Storytelling Day is Trees and the Nature Centre and Sanctuary are the perfect setting for these artists to share their stories and their cultures.”, says Todd Nivens, Programs Coordinator for the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society. Crafts and displays round out the family-friendly event.

World Storytelling Day is being co-hosted by the Nature Centre, the Vasa Lodge and the Red Deer Native Friendship Society. Admission to the event is $3 per person or $10 per family.

For more information, please phone Todd Nivens at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 403-346-2010 x106.

If you haven't already heard...

...March looks to be a happenin' month here at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre! We're kicking this month off with an Owl Prowl on Saturday the 3rd (spaces are still available and you can register until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 2), followed quickly by a bilingual planetarium on Tuesday the 6th for Carnaval!

In fact, there are so many things happening here this month, I'm going to make it easy for you and list the rest of them below:

Sunday, March 11 Birdhouses with Bob (For kids ages 6 to 13 and a parent. Paid pre-registration is required.)

Also Sunday, March 11 Family Planetarium

Friday-Sunday, March 16-18 Rock & Gem Show (Come and learn some great things about rocks or add to your collection!)

Saturday, March 24 World Storytelling Day (Guest storytellers will be here!)

Sunday, March 25 Seedy Sunday (Learn about sustainable food production. Co-presented by ReThink Red Deer and it's affiliates.)

NEW!!!

The last Monday of the month is Monday Melodies, a musically-based social/ nature program for seniors. We have a public piano now; might as well put it to good use!

Of course, April and May are also packed with many fantastic events. If you would like more information about any of the events listed above, or what's coming up, click on the "What's New" link on our homepage, then hit the "Quarterly Programs Brochure PDF" link in the top left corner of the picture. Or, call the Kerry Wood Nature Centre at 403-346-2010 and our front desk staff and volunteers will be happy to help you.

Hope to see you this spring!

Purple Martin Homes

Friends of the Kerry Wood Nature Centre has great Purple Martin homes for sale;raising by a winch & pulley system, 8 0r 12 condo units, call 403 346 2010

Our new arrival

Here at the Nature Centre we're very happy to be able to introduce Red Deer's second public piano.

Our new (well, new to us) piano will be available for gallery openings, public events, and -- most importantly -- any of our visitors who would like to sit down and play.

If you're in our neighbourhood, why not drop by and show us what you've got? We think this should be a lot of fun, and are looking forward to seeing what you think as well!

Sustainable Commuting

We've written before, about Red Deer's amazing Waskasoo Park and its trail system. It's unique among urban parks in that the whole thing is interconnected by multi-use trails. In the summer the trails are heavily trafficked by walkers, runners, cyclists, long-boarders, and in-line skaters. In the winter the trails are taken over by cross-country skiers, early morning dog walkers and the odd (as in rare, not awkwardly different) bicycle commuter.

Winter bike commuting in Red Deer is not a difficult chore. The main arterial roads are kept reasonably free of snow and ice, side walks are wide enough to ride on when the roads are too dangerous - for example there has been lots of black ice this week - and if you're like me and lucky enough to have a North-South commute, the trails are plowed and packed to make winter riding a joy. Imagine that; while others are stuck in cold lanes of traffic, I get to have a little adventure each morning, on my bike, through the park.

On Monday this week, I attached a video camera to my bike helmet and recorded my commute in six parts. You can see them at my own personal blog - along with a running commentary here.

We are in the midst of a nearly perfect winter for bike commuting. The morning temperatures have rarely been below -12C and the afternoon temperatures have been above zero on a regular basis. While this isn't an ideal winter from nature's point of view, for those who want to try winter bicycle commuting, this is the best winter we've had for it in years. Give it a try. I've written two posts on winter bike commuting (you can find the posts under the commuting videos) that will tell you how to dress, how to prep your bike and how to survive a possible wipeout.

So, give it a try. Give yourself an extra few minutes, pack a backpack and ride your bike to work. You just may form a new habit.