http://www.rkwalton.com/podcast.html en-us 2009 Richard K. Walton Critters - Seasons Richard K. Walton "Critters - Seasons" highlights annual natural events that are readily accessible for those of us living in the Northeast. Each episode is a reminder of the wonders that may be just outside your door, and yes, each is intended as a gentle nudge to motivate you to begin your own discovery of the natural world. "Critters" is a collection of video podcasts about the animals, plants, and natural areas of North America and Central America. Critters Video Podcast - Through the Seasons highlights annual natural events in the Northeast. Each video is intended as a gentle nudge to motivate you to begin your own discovery of the natural world. Critters is a collection of video podcasts about the animals, plants,<br /> and natural areas of North America and Central America. Richard K. Walton dwalton@comcast.net In the Northeast the natural world begins to stir in March. Early migrants from southern latitudes arrive, buds swell, and the mating games begin. This episode focuses on migrating ducks, the sights and sounds of recently arrived male red-winged blackbirds, tree swallows at their nesting sites, and the annual migration of slalamnders. Dick Walton Spring - March In the Northeast the natural world begins to stir in March. Early migrants from southern latitudes arrive, buds swell, and the mating games begin. This episode focuses on migrating ducks, the sights and sounds of recently arrived male red-winged blackbirds, tree swallows at their nesting sites, and the annual migration of slalamnders. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/marpod.mp4 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:25 ducks,red-winged blackbird,tree swallow, salamander, migration, nature, New England, Northeast, video no It is said that Spring is a crab-like affair in the Northeast. In April the last of the northeasters blow up the coast but there are also sultry, summer-like days. This episode looks forward and features the territorial screams of the red-tailed hawk, the raucous courting songs of frogs and toads, the delicate beauty of early woodland wildflowers, and a variety of early season butterflies. Dick Walton Spring - April It is said that Spring is a crab-like affair in the Northeast. In April the last of the northeasters blow up the coast but there are also sultry, summer-like days. This episode looks forward and features the territorial screams of the red-tailed hawk, the raucous courting songs of frogs and toads, the delicate beauty of early woodland wildflowers, and a variety of early season butterflies. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/aprpod.mp4 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:37 red-tailed hawk, frogsong, ephemerals, butterfly, wildflowers, Spring, peeper, trillium, mourning cloak no "The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land . . ." Surely the poet was speaking of May in the Northeast! This episode highlights several events that characterize the highpoint of spring: The full-voiced chorus of nesting birds, a woodchuck making preperations for her young, the earliest dragonflies and damselflies to sparkle about our streams and ponds, and the ancient snapping turtle laying eggs in a fallow field. Dick Walton Spring - May "The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land . . ." Surely the poet was speaking of May in the Northeast! This episode highlights several events that characterize the highpoint of spring: The full-voiced chorus of nesting birds, a woodchuck making preperations for her young, the earliest dragonflies and damselflies to sparkle about our streams and ponds, and the ancient snapping turtle laying eggs in a fallow field. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/maypod.mp4 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:22 birdsong, wood thrush, cardinal, woodchuck, groundhog, dragonfly, damselfly, snapping turtle, nesting, nature no June and the summer solstice is cause for celebration in temperate latitudes. Sunlight becomes orchids and every ray stirs the hormones of numerous critters. This episode features wildflowers, the deep voices of green frogs and bullfrogs, birds at their nests, and tiger beetles on the hunt. Dick Walton Summer - June June and the summer solstice is cause for celebration in temperate latitudes. Sunlight becomes orchids and every ray stirs the hormones of numerous critters. This episode features wildflowers, the deep voices of green frogs and bullfrogs, birds at their nests, and tiger beetles on the hunt. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/junepod.mp4 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:16 wildflowers, lady slipper, green frog, bullfrog, birds, nests, tiger beetles, nature, video no In early July milkweeds are in full blossom and are a magnet for butterflies, hummingbird moths, and beetles galore. Pondside dragonflies and damselflies are abundant and easily observed as they perch on emergent wetland plants. Mid-summer is also the perfect time to head for the coast and wade in a tide pool in search of sea stars, urchins, periwinkles, and rock crabs. Dick Walton Summer - July In early July milkweeds are in full blossom and are a magnet for butterflies, hummingbird moths, and beetles galore. Pondside dragonflies and damselflies are abundant and easily observed as they perch on emergent wetland plants. Mid-summer is also the perfect time to head for the coast and wade in a tide pool in search of sea stars, urchins, periwinkles, and rock crabs. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/julypod.mp4 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:28 milkweed, bugs, beetles, butterfly, dragonfly, damselfly, starfish, urchin, periwinkle, tidepool, crab, skimmer no August brings the dog days of summer. Flocks of southbound shorebirds along with herons and egrets may be numerous in tidal marshes. Along with the spectacle of these long distance migrants, this episode features the cicada killer, a spectacular solitary wasp as well as muskrats, one of the more common mammals of freshwater wetlands. Dick Walton Summer - August August brings the dog days of summer. Flocks of southbound shorebirds along with herons and egrets may be numerous in tidal marshes. Along with the spectacle of these long distance migrants, this episode features the cicada killer, a spectacular solitary wasp as well as muskrats, one of the more common mammals of freshwater wetlands. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/augpod.mp4 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:24 salt marsh, fiddler crabs, shorebirds, beach, cicada killer, wasp, sanderling, heron, yellowleg no In this episode solitary wasps complete the last nurseries for their young and many of our common hawks, falcons, and accipiters head south. Also migrating are summer's final broods of monarchs. Their journey, from as far north as Southern Canada, will take them to the high spruce forests near Mexico City. Many species of stridulating insects can also be heard in September with the Katydid often leading the chorus. Dick Walton Fall - September In this episode solitary wasps complete the last nurseries for their young and many of our common hawks, falcons, and accipiters head south. Also migrating are summer's final broods of monarchs. Their journey, from as far north as Southern Canada, will take them to the high spruce forests near Mexico City. Many species of stridulating insects can also be heard in September with the Katydid often leading the chorus. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/septpod.mp4 Tue, 8 Sep 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:18 golden digger wasp, hawks, falcons, accipiters, vultures, monarchs, katydids no A variety of spiders may be seen in local fields and meadows in fall and one of the more noticeable is the yellow garden spider. Her web is characterized by a zig-zag shaped reinforcment at its center. Multi-colored mushrooms seem to sprout overnight in each and every woodland and while most are benign others are exremely poisonous. The changing leaves are perhaps the best known sign of this season in the Northeast. Complimenting the subtle yellows, oranges, and deep reds of our foliage are the plumages of sparrows moving southward. Dick Walton Fall - October A variety of spiders may be seen in local fields and meadows in fall and one of the more noticeable is the yellow garden spider. Her web is characterized by a zig-zag shaped reinforcment at its center. Multi-colored mushrooms seem to sprout overnight in each and every woodland and while most are benign others are exremely poisonous. The changing leaves are perhaps the best known sign of this season in the Northeast. Complimenting the subtle yellows, oranges, and deep reds of our foliage are the plumages of sparrows moving southward. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/octpod.mp4 Wed, 9 Sep 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:23 garden spider, mushroom, fungus, fungi, autumn leaves, sparrows, migration no November is a transitional month. While few of our mammals actually hibernate many, liked the chipmunk, are now busy laying in stores for the winter. The witch hazel is our latest blooming plant and it is not until fall that its delicate yellow flowers show their colors. Screech-owls often find a winter residence that allows them to sunbath on bright, cold days. Wild turkeys including many birds hatched this year are seen in family groups browsing the forest floor. Dick Walton Fall - November November is a transitional month. While few of our mammals actually hibernate many, liked the chipmunk, are now busy laying in stores for the winter. The witch hazel is our latest blooming plant and it is not until fall that its delicate yellow flowers show their colors. Screech-owls often find a winter residence that allows them to sunbath on bright, cold days. Wild turkeys including many birds hatched this year are seen in family groups browsing the forest floor. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/novpod.mp4 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:13:05 -0400 4:02 striped chipmunk, witch hazel, Eastern screech-owl, wild turkey no In the Northeast, December brings us shorter days but also the winter solstice - the astronomical time when our days begin to lengthen and the sun begins it's journey northward. This is the time to stock your bird feeders well and enjoy the birds' daily comings and goings. Owls are often spotted now and Great Horned Owls hoot to their mate. A trip to the coast may produce a clan of Harbor Seals frolicking on the rocks. Dick Walton Winter - December In the Northeast, December brings us shorter days but also the winter solstice - the astronomical time when our days begin to lengthen and the sun begins it's journey northward. This is the time to stock your bird feeders well and enjoy the birds' daily comings and goings. Owls are often spotted now and Great Horned Owls hoot to their mate. A trip to the coast may produce a clan of Harbor Seals frolicking on the rocks. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/decpod.mp4 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:13:05 -0400 5:07 winter solstice, birds, feeders, owl, harbor seals no Winter has settled in and most of our plants and animals out of sight all together. In certain years flock of crossbills, birds with beaks specially adapted to extract the seeds of conifers, move into our area in large numbers. For the birdwatcher, this is a good time to enjoy ducks along our coastline. And when cabin fever is just too much plan a trip to Southern California to visit the Anza Borrego Desert or tour the balmy coastline and enjoy the birdlife. Dick Walton Winter - January Winter has settled in and most of our plants and animals are out of sight all together. In certain years flock of crossbills, birds with beaks specially adapted to extract the seeds of conifers, move into our area in large numbers. For the birdwatcher, this is a good time to enjoy ducks along our coastline. And when cabin fever is just too much plan a trip to Southern California to visit the Anza Borrego Desert or tour the balmy coastline and enjoy the birdlife. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/janpod.mp4 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:13:05 -0400 6:43 crossbill, duck, eider, Anza Borrego, desert, Southern California, beaches, coast no February features ice and snow and for the naturalist a trip to the tropics is in order. Central American countries are convenient destinations and their lowland rainforests are among the richest natural areas on our planet. Late in the month the ice grudgingly relaxes its hold on rivers, ponds, and the earth itself. Late February is the time to seek out skunk cabbages - their colorful leaves are the first promise of Spring. Dick Walton Winter - February February features ice and snow and for the naturalist a trip to the tropics is in order. Central American countries are convenient destinations and their lowland rainforests are among the richest natural areas on our planet. Late in the month the ice grudgingly relaxes its hold on rivers, ponds, and the earth itself. Late February is the time to seek out skunk cabbages - their colorful leaves are the first promise of Spring. http://www.rkwalton.com/podcasts/seas/febpod.mp4 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:13:05 -0400 6:55 tropics, rainforest, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, ice out, skunk cabbage no