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Nature's Corner

Nature’s Corner allows Moonshine Ink to profile something happening in the great outdoors, either a species of plant or animal or relevant event happening involving nature, or even a person working in nature

When Coyotes Kill

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Wily coyotes cause dog and cat owners to fear for the lives of their pets. 'Nature's Corner' columnist Eve Quesnel delves into the unfortunate times when coyotes kill, giving practical advice for learning how to live with them.

Getting to Know Alvin, Simon, and Theodore

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Why do we often think of Alvin and the Chipmunks when we think of chipmunks? Movie stars trump nature? As much as celebrities take over the limelight, there’s much to learn about the real striped speedy mammal.

John Muir’s “Squirrel of Squirrels”

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The Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii), aka the chickaree, aka the animal that “Peterson Field Guide Mammals of North America” calls “the noisy little squirrel...

Cohabitating, Lichen Style

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Lichen can’t be discussed without talking about cohabitation — two partners living in one space. In this case, it’s on the surface of rocks...

A Booming Sound of Spring: The Sooty Grouse

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A note of caution: Being territorial, particularly during the breeding and nesting season, the sooty grouse female will aggressively chase any human in her path.

Camouflaged in Winter White

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The Tahoe area has four animals that turn white in winter - a jackrabbit, hare, weasel, and bird.

The Bluebird Landladies

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Every spring for the past two decades, citizen scientists Ann McBride and Patty Evans have monitored egg counts in 50 bluebird boxes they had placed in Martis Valley and the Kyburz Meadow area. “You never know what you’ll find in the boxes — it’s like Christmas,” says McBride. While this labor of love requires tenacity and hard work, Evans wouldn’t have it any other way. She adds, “It’s magical every year.”

The Buzz About ‘Meat Bees’

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Think those are meat bees buzzing around your picnic? Thing again. They're wasps, and contrary to popular opinion, their presence does not predict a big winter.

Johnny Chickadee Cache

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It’s been said that the little acrobat Chickadee can cache up to one thousand seeds in one day with a potential range of 60,000 to 90,000 seeds in one fall season.

Raining Pine Needles

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Every two to three years, pine and fir trees shed their needles, an event known as a needle drop.