Return Of The Vultures

Turkey vultures are mutual to abundant summertime residents across most of the Lower 48 States; throughout the southeastern quadrant of the country, equally good equally along the California Coast, these scavengers are permanent residents.

Here along the Colorado Front Range, turkey vultures are relatively uncommon in addition to are exactly acquaint during the warmer months (April to October); come upward winter, they caput for Mexico, South Texas or the Desert Southwest.  This morning, I observed ii of them soaring inward a higher house our Littleton farm, the get-go I lead keep encountered this spring.

Feeding nigh alone on carrion, turkey vultures lead keep wages of roadkill in addition to equally good scavenge the remains of deer in addition to elk killed past times predators or storms; they equally good feast on fish that are stranded past times shrinking ponds in addition to reservoirs.  Not pretty upward close, these birds are amid nature's most talented aerialists in addition to sure enough play a major business office inward her recycling system.

Calm Later On The Storms

Following a calendar week of hot, humid weather condition together with severe thunderstorms, relatively cool together with dry out air has invaded key Missouri.  Though flooding persists along the Missouri River together with other large streams, 1 tin at 1 time to a greater extent than fully appreciate the works together with creature of a Midwest spring.

Sitting on our deck this evening, I saw together with or heard at to the lowest degree xx aeroplane species, dominated past times squadrons of chimney swifts that zoomed across the clear blueish sky; joining them were turkey vultures, sailing overhead, together with an occasional mutual black hawk, identified past times their white wing patches together with distinctive calls.  Backyard visitors included ruby-throated hummingbirds, grayness catbirds, cedar waxwings together with a to the lowest degree flycatcher amid to a greater extent than mutual residents, all seemingly enjoying the cool recess equally much equally I was (at to the lowest degree until a Cooper's hawk appeared).

One place on our belongings has definitely benefited from the recent soupy weather condition together with heavy rains: the compost bin.  Fueled past times the oestrus together with humidity, uncountable invertebrates are at 1 time swarming over the yard together with kitchen waste, feasting on the found cloth together with creating a time to come render of nutritious compost.  The external atmosphere may convey operate out to a greater extent than appealing to humans only the tropical conditions inside that bin is ideal for those recyclers.

Matted Pilus Inwards The Brush Pile

Now that summertime has develop inward as well as the plane population on our farm has stabilized for the season, I am to a greater extent than inclined to roam the property, looking for odd insects as well as plants.  This morning, spell exploring our "wild corner," I came across a clump of matted pilus inward the brush pile.

Initially assuming it was the remnants of a mouse or pocket-sized cottontail, I used a stick to investigate farther but constitute no bones or other cloth to confirm my suspicion.  I hence concluded it was a type of fungus and, later about investigation, settled on a species of Phycomyces; these fungi hit long, hair-like sporangia which flame inward tiny spheres that incorporate the spores.  Feasting on (and recycling) a broad form of rotting organic matter, the fungal flower was probable triggered past times our recent heavy rains.

My identification may or may non last right but, inward to a greater extent than than threescore years of exploring natural ecosystems, it was the cause down fourth dimension I encountered such a fungus; only the latest confirmation that nature's multifariousness is endless, fifty-fifty for a life-long naturalist.