Field Guide

Turkey vultures are perhaps the most commonly seen soaring bird in our state. Their wings are held in a shallow V shape. From below, the trailing half of the wings appears gray or silvery.

Also called spotted touch-me-not, jewelweed blooms along streams and in other low, moist places. Many believe that rubbing the juice of this plant on skin can soothe poison ivy irritation.

Missouri has about 70 species of freshwater mussels, thanks to our many different major river systems. Nearly 42 percent of them are species of conservation concern.

Zebra swallowtails are unmistakable with their black and white stripes and long tails. Look for them in wooded areas — the caterpillars eat the leaves of pawpaw trees.