Posts by Sarah Watson
Comet C/2023 A3
“Comets are like cats: they have tails, and they do precisely what they want.” Davis H. Levy, Comets: Creators and Destroyers A visitor from afar is in the neighborhood. Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-Atlas), A3 for short, will be visible by the end of September in the morning sky. Comet names tell us much about the…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 09/18/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! How much do you know about slugs? Let’s learn some interesting facts about them! Slug bodies are mostly made up of water. Since they lack a protective shell, they must produce mucus to prevent drying out. Slugs are most active at night and after a rain. This is also related to helping them…
Read MoreSeptember 2024 Full Harvest Moon
This year’s full Harvest Moon on September 17, 2024, has a lot going on. The Moon will look full when it rises at 7:28PM EDT. However, it won’t be an official full Moon until 10:34PM. This is the exact moment the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. When a full moon…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 09/11/2024
It’s #WildlifeWednesday and we are talking about bears (oh my!). More specifically, the American black bear. Visitors to The Wilderness Center often ask if bears live in our woods and the answer is…not right now. But they have in the past, and could again in the future. Historically, black bears were abundant throughout Ohio, prior…
Read MorePandorus Sphinx Moth
Some of the most beautiful, interesting and hard-working pollinators are rarely seen. Why? Because they work at night. One of the members of this night crew is the pandorus sphinx moth. Found throughout Ohio, this is a large moth with a wingspan of 3 to 4.5 inches. They have streamlined bodies and wings, their outline…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 09/04/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Monarch migration is underway! Eastern monarch butterflies are currently flying through Ohio on their way from their summer breeding grounds in Canada to their overwintering areas in Mexico. The monarchs will migrate thousands of miles, traveling up to 100 miles each day during the months of September and October, reaching their roosting sites…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 08/28/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Today we are showcasing an animal frequently associated with happiness, the Eastern Bluebird! Fairly common and easy to see from the grounds of The Wilderness Center, a bluebird sighting is always a treat, the males in particular a stunning brilliant shade of royal blue on the back and head and brick-red on the…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 08/21/2024
Woof-woof, it’s #WildlifeWednesday! Let’s learn about two of the canines/dogs that make their home here in Ohio, the red fox and the gray fox! The red fox is the larger and taller of the two species and is traditionally known for its bright red fur and black “socks” on its legs, though its coat can…
Read MoreAugust 2024 Full Sturgeon Moon
On August 19, 2024, we will be treated to the full Sturgeon Moon. This full Moon occurs at exactly 2:26PM EDT – the exact moment the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. Of course, we won’t be able to see it at this exact moment, but it will look full and…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 08/14/2024
Today’s #WildlifeWednesday is also a summer #WildflowerWednesday as we highlight wingstem, a member of the aster family which is currently in full bloom at The Wilderness Center. Wingstem, also referred to as yellow ironweed, grows in moist areas near woodland areas and bodies of water. Damp prairies, meadows, and roadside ditches are also ideal habitats…
Read More