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Discover Nature Notes

The Thanksgiving Turkey

Peg Craft
Nov 20, 2017

THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY: Whether served up wild or domestic, your holiday turkey is a bird simmered in American tradition. Turkeys have a wild history since they were first domesticated by Native Americans, including a near miss as our national symbol. Learn fun facts about wild turkeys and how they were brought back in Missouri in this week's Discover Nature Note. As a special bonus, watch a video on preparing wild turkey.

Turkey

Dabblers vs Divers

Peg Craft
Nov 13, 2017

DABBLERS vs DIVERS: Are you a dabbler or a diver? Do you like floating along the surface or going deep? Dabblers and divers are two main types of ducks. You can tell them apart by the way they eat, fly and look. Ducks are amazing creatures. They fill the skies with sound and form this time of year and the waters with aerobic swimming feats. Learn how you can tell the difference between dabbling ducks and diving ducks in this week's Discover Nature Note. Scoll down to the media gallery and watch an action packed video, and see photos and sounds of your favorite ducks.

Wood Duck

Why Healthy Deer Matter and How You Can Help

Peg Craft
Nov 06, 2017

White-tailed deer are magnificent creatures and a common sight across Missouri's landscape.  Over the last 100 years, they were brought back from an all-time low of 400 to more than 1.2 million today.  They are one of our most valuable species for outdoor recreation, jobs and tourism.  The work of keeping our deer herd healthy today is as important as the early work to restore them to the state.  Scientists work with hunters and landowners to prevent the spread of disease, especially Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is always fatal.  Learn more about deer health, CWD, and mandatory testing in this week's Discover Nature Note.

deer hidden

Fall Sounds

Peg Craft
Nov 01, 2017

Fall moves in with a blaze of warm colors and rustic smells.  The soundtrack of fall is vibrant as well with rustling leaves, squirrels foraging and geese honking.  It's a crisp and layered feast for the senses each year when the summer fades into fall and fall slides into winter.  Take a sensory trip into fall in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Squirrel with Great Horned Owl artwork

Creepy Critters

Peg Craft
Oct 23, 2017

They may have hairy legs and fangs full of venom, or large ears and flappy, vampire-looking wings, but these real life critters eat the blood suckers that ruin our summer evenings and perform some amazing feats.  Spiders and bats are feared by many and their plastic versions  on Halloween decorations play off this spooky reputation.    Learn fun facts about bats and the Missouri tarantula in this week's Discover Nature Note.  Also view a video quiz and see if you can guess the spooky critters by their sound before each puzzle completes. 

Tarantula

Come Fly With Me

Peg Craft
Oct 16, 2017

It's a party in the sky each fall and winter as droves of ducks and geese wing their way into Missouri on their journey south for the winter.  Stopping over in lakes, ponds and rivers, different types of waterfowl arrive at different times as the weather changes.  Learn about these dabblers, divers, and geese and their travel timetables in this week's Discover Nature Note.  Scroll through the Media Gallery to see photos and hear sounds of our various visitors.

What About Bobcat

Peg Craft
Oct 09, 2017

In the movie, What About Bob, Bill Murray plays a character who is challenged with taking baby steps outdoors.  On the other end of the spectrum, bobcats are sure-footed and stealthy, able to pounce, climb and swim.  Bobcats are fascinating creatures that might compete well in looks and skills with the cat sensation that has swept social media.  Learn more about bobcats and see them up close in video in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Bobcat

Fall's Tasty Treat

Peg Craft
Oct 02, 2017

Eat them green and you'll pucker up like a sun fish.  Gather them ripe before the raccoons and you'll enjoy Missouri's tastiest fall treat -- perfect for pies, breads, and puddings.  Persimmons are a homegrown, favorite fall fruit.  Discover more about persimmons, what sports use the tree wood, and how to make persimmon fudge in this week's Discover Nature Note.

Persimmons ripening in fall leaf litter

Top 5 Fall Hikes

Peg Craft
Sep 25, 2017

Take a hike this fall or enjoy a walk through some spectacular Missouri scenery.   We're featuring a top five list of conservation area trails around the state to get out and enjoy fall weather, color and fun in this week's Discover Nature Note.  Pick your favorite place to explore, get fit, and spend quality time with family and friends.

Pickle Springs Conservation Area overlook

Our Need for Bees

Peg Craft
Sep 18, 2017

Without them, our produce aisles would be mostly bare. With less of them, harvest sizes will shrink and prices will soar.  Bees are essential for many of the foods we eat and nutrients we need.  Native bumblebees are intentional pollinators that do the most important work.  Learn more about bees, how you can help, and the amazing diversity we have in St. Louis in this week's Discover Nature Note.

common eastern bumblebee

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We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources.