Meet Our Neighbours
Laura Griffin’s Blog
Laura Griffin grew up in Calgary and her love for the great outdoors drove her passion for wildlife and nature. A naturalist, she shares her knowledge as an interpreter/guide in Alberta parks and as an instructor in a local post-secondary institution. In her free time, she volunteers in wildlife groups.
She believes that “Our community is made up of all living things”, that wild animals are neighbours with whom we share the land and that they provide essential ecological services often little known to us.
This monthly blog is introducing us to animals and aspects of our landscape that are often little known. Her stories are fun, informative and intriguing.
The articles were first written for the High Country News and are proud to share them with you in this blog.
Enjoy!
DECK THE HALLS WITH BOUGHS OF SPRUCE
The mighty spruce tree – critical shelter to wildlife in winter and one of the top ten medicinal plants of Canada.
A LONG ‘TAIL’ OF WINTERIZED WEASELS
The long-tailed weasel is one of the most ferocious predators in the foothills area. True carnivores, they will consume only fresh meat or the carrion of their prey that they have stored away for later. (Photo credits Jackie Sills)
WINGED WONDERS – BATS
We have nine species of bats in Alberta, and every single one of them is an insectivore. This means that they eat insects, which is a huge plus if you are a farmer who does not like pest insects or if you are one of the many people who loathe our humble mosquitos.
FALL LEAVES – SEPTEMBER IN GLORY
Without chlorophyll in the limelight all the other chemicals are given their own moment in the sun to be the beautiful colours we see in the fall leaves.
AS SUMMER SNAKES IN
The warmth of July is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than to look at a wild neighbour who also loves sunbathing and taking dips in the water as a summer pastime.
A FAMOOSE CANADIAN ANIMAL
This dark brown mammal can swim faster than two men paddling a canoe, dive to depths of 20 feet, and is named for its love of devouring twigs. (photo credit - James Griffin)
MAGNIFICENT MOSQUITOES MISREPRESENTED
I still maintain that they are fascinating and deserve more credit for their important role in our ecosystem.
MAY DEER NEIGHBOURS SPOTTED
Come May, every yearling (last year’s babies) that I see I congratulate for making it through the harsh first winter that often takes the weak. Cold temperatures, snowpack covering food sources and predators all make winter an incredibly difficult time to survive.
FOR THE LOVE OF CAVITIES- PILEATED WOODPECKERS GIVE REASON TO SMILE
True romantics, the pileated woodpeckers mate for life and find a territory in which to carve out a new home, literally big enough to raise 3-5 young.
LOVE FOR ONE AND GALL
If you have not heard of a gall, then you have not yet come to appreciate how truly crazy relationships in nature can be
THE WEE WINTER WARRIOR
When most birds flee to somewhere warmer these tiny neighbours tough it out. In order to survive they make changes to their body, also known as adapting, in some incredible and unusual ways.