The Annual Whooping Crane Trip

Check out this lovely little article on the International Crane Foundation's annual migration journey: Crane Trip Article

Also, keep updated on the Migration Operation by visiting the link on the right side of this page. Journal entries are done on a regular basis.

Be the Bat!

Good Evening, World!

It’s such a delicious spring night. My name is Mya Lucifer. Those two legged animals with their cameras and pencils like to call me Myotis Lucifugus, but I think that’s rather formal. They also call me and all of my relatives “little brown bat.” I suppose we are little in comparison to our distant bat cousins. I understand that my self-given name is “devilish” sounding. I like that. I have been known to get myself into a bit of trouble.

Because it is early spring, I have just returned from my winter napping colony in the caves of southern Wisconsin. I feel refreshed and ready to explore the woods and waterways of this glorious area. I love the rivers and hillsides in the early evening. The animals are beginning to move around more, shaking out of their winter coats.

Right now, I feel a little sluggish since I just woke from the winter sleep. And, just like last year and the year before and before and before, I am pregnant again. While my body held onto my mate’s sperm throughout the sleep of winter, conception has finally taken place, and I can feel the little one grow inside of me. Another 3 months from now and I will send off another babe into the world, probably near the start of June. Although twins have been very common in the other women of the colony, I have not had a double birth in the last 15 years. However, since I am only 16, I have ½ of my motherhood years left to see that happen. I hope that I do have several pairs in my remaining years. I have been saddened by losing ½ of my children to cold and prey in their first adolescent year.

For now, I am enjoying the outdoors of spring. As early summer sets in and the birth comes near, I will need to join the other mothers in the nursery colony. I find that somewhat unfair that the men continue to enjoy the freedom of the air and hillside. That issue seems to be up for debate in a lot of the animal world. Those two legged creatures are always arguing…Oh, I just saw a few mosquitoes hatching in my favorite pond; they are early this year since it has been so warm, and the chill of winter is long gone with the pond ice. I also have seen a few gnats and wasps. The menu tonight is rich with fresh blood. I can’t wait until the mayflies are hatched. I have had such cravings for them lately. I better sharpen up my biosonar for the spring hunting season. My favorite hunting path awaits.

Until tomorrow, my friends, happy hunting.

Journals, Journals, Journals

E3 students....please have your journals up to date and ready to turn in for reading.

Thanks!