The Eastern Screech Owl

This winter an eastern screech owl moved into a wood duck house in our park. The owl was about 8" high, with a brilliant spotted chest and soft brown color. His eyes looked dark green, and its ears were very pointy. When we first saw the owl it stood and watched us observantly from the wood duck house.

But then, our neighbor's dogs scared him and he flew to a nearby tree. From the tree, he watched us some more and turned his head all the way around. Did you know that  an owl can turn its head 270 degrees! This is so it can see its prey and watch out for danger while sitting still and quiet.

To learn more about the eastern screech owl you can visit nationalgeographic.com

owl illustration from National Geographic

Reptiles at the Milwaukee Zoo

Welcome to the zoo filled with wild animals! There are many kinds of creatures at the zoo including reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds and bugs. Today I would like to show you some of the terrific reptiles. There are snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodiles and alligators. Here are a few we saw at the Milwaukee County Zoo...

Tree Monitor

Green Tree Snake

King Cobra

Alligator

Gila Monster

Turtles at the Pond

We met a few interesting reptiles at the pond recently. First, I saw a huge snapping turtle. He was over a foot long, very old and didn't move at all. Next we saw a baby snapping turtle. He was fast, tiny and very cute. He wasn't very afraid of us. He was a brave little turtle. 

I also saw many painted turtles. They pretty much like to hang out on logs in the sun. Painted turtles aren't so brave. When they see you they hop into the water and swim deep into the weeds.

You can see where the turtles swim in the pond, because they leave a trail through the weeds. It's kind of confusing, because there are so many trails mixed together. 

Resting Snapping Turtle

Baby Painted Turtle

Painted Turtle - stuck on a log

Amphibians at the Pond

Welcome to The Mystery Pond! The pond has many creatures like muskrats, polywogs, frogs, tadpoles, snapping turtles, painted turtles, and garter snakes. The pond is great in any season, but you can't see frogs in the winter. We will introduce you to many of the pond's creatures, but today here are some of the frogs...

Green Frog

Green Frog

Polywog