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Grey Tree Frog: An Ogemaw County Year
Grey tree frogs (Hyla versicolor) are a marvel of adaptation. Their skin can shift from gray to green, allowing them to blend seamlessly wit
laurastockwell74
Mar 272 min read


Eastern Chipmunk: An Ogemaw County Year
My eyes snap open, and I catch the flash of tawny fur darting between the still-bare brambles. A chipmunk!
laurastockwell74
Mar 82 min read


Raccoon: An Ogemaw County Year
Fascinated, I watch as a raccoon scrambles from the top of the feeder to the tree trunk with surprising agility in the moonlight.
laurastockwell74
Sep 17, 20243 min read


A New Project: An Ogemaw County Year
Explore the natural beauty of Ogemaw County through "An Ogemaw County Year," a project celebrating its diverse flora and fauna across the se
laurastockwell74
Jun 19, 20241 min read


Meet American Robin
The American robin is most abundant songbird in North America. It was named the state bird of Michigan in 1931. Some robins spend the...
laurastockwell74
Mar 16, 20242 min read


Meet White Pine
The White pine tree, also known as Pinus strobus, is a species of evergreen conifer that is native to North America. They are known for
laurastockwell74
Dec 13, 20232 min read


Meet Red Pine
You've probably spotted these trees standing tall in those perfectly straight rows in Northern states. Turns out, they're lined up like that
laurastockwell74
Nov 28, 20231 min read


Meet Ring-Necked Pheasant
The Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), is not native to Michigan but have become an integral part of Michigan’s avian heritage....
laurastockwell74
Nov 8, 20232 min read

Meet Osprey
As fall stretches across Michigan, ospreys embark on their annual journey south. The osprey, scientifically known as Pandion haliaetus,...
laurastockwell74
Sep 15, 20232 min read


Original Work reformatted
I learned something really interesting at the art fairs this summer. People don't like the basic black frames I put the 5x7 original...
laurastockwell74
Sep 12, 20231 min read


Meet Stick Insects
The scientific name for stick insects is Phasmatodea, from the Greek word phasma (“phantom”), which refers to this insect’s ability to...
laurastockwell74
Aug 25, 20232 min read


Meet Praying Mantis
Praying mantises belong to the insect family of Mantidae ("mantids"). All mantids have enlarged forelegs (“raptorial legs”) adapted for...
laurastockwell74
Aug 18, 20232 min read


Meet Monarch Butterflies
Monarch butterflies have bright orange wings covered with black veins and rimmed with a black border and white dots. This brilliant...
laurastockwell74
Aug 6, 20232 min read


Meet Gray Tree Frog
Gray tree frogs live in forested areas throughout the eastern United States and southern Ontario. They are about two inches long and have...
laurastockwell74
Jun 20, 20232 min read


Meet Wood Frog
Wood frogs are found only in the United States and Canada. They are about three inches long and have bumpy skin that comes in several...
laurastockwell74
Jun 9, 20232 min read


Meet Green Frog
Most green frogs are green, but some are brownish green, yellowish green, or olive. Their legs have dark bands across them, and their...
laurastockwell74
May 29, 20232 min read


Meet Killdeer
The killdeer is a familiar species across North America, thanks to its preference for open habitats and its loud calls, which give it its...
laurastockwell74
Apr 21, 20232 min read


Meet Kirtland's Warbler
The Kirtland’s warbler is a small gray-and-yellow bird and one of the rarest songbirds in North America. It was named after Jared...
laurastockwell74
Apr 13, 20232 min read


Meet Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Bluebirds spend the winter in the southeastern United States and return to the upper midwest to breed in early March. Immediately...
laurastockwell74
Apr 6, 20232 min read


Meet Brook Trout
Brook trout are native to Michigan's waters, and they were designated the state fish of Michigan in 1988. They have long, streamlined...
laurastockwell74
Mar 23, 20232 min read
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