This
weekend, Crossroads invites learners of all ages to "Meet the
Coyote." A new animal has been added to the the Wisconsin
Wildlife Exhibit in the Lower Level of the Collins Learning
Center thanks to a generous gift from Jeff and Linda Schauder of
Ellison Bay.
Artist Patty Clark
and Wildlife Exhibit Chairperson Arliss Everson arranged the mount in
the forest edge area of the exhibit, and he seems to have adapted well
to his new surroundings. Of course, that's what coyotes do....they
adapt. So in the wild, coyotes can found in uplands, in forests, and
even in towns.
The coyote in the
exhibit appears to have just captured a pheasant. Coyotes will take a
bird now and then, but they primarily hunt mammals. They prefer mice,
voles, and rabbits and they play a large role in keeping these
creatures in check.
If a coyote
is stalking a small mammal, it hunts alone and usually attacks
with a stiffed-legged pounce. When hunting a larger animal, like
a sick deer, coyotes will work together in bands, cooperating.
In
Crossroads exhibit, the coyote is placed near the badger which,
speaking of cooperation, is appropriate. Coyotes sometimes hunt
cooperatively with badgers. Badgers are really good at digging up
up rodents, but they aren't that great at chasing. Coyotes can
run. The animals make a good team. Coyotes also occasionally use badger
holes for their dens.
The free "Meet
the Coyote " program will be offered for families (and learners of all
ages) on Sunday, October 21 at 2:00 in the Collins Learning Center.
Following a short presentation and activities, participants will visit
the Wildlife Exhibit to see just how well adapted the coyote seems to
be.
As we ponder the what
climate change might mean to our native plants and animals, we can
assume the coyote will do just fine. But what about our other flora and
fauna?
On Saturday night at 7:00 PM,
Wild Ones of Door County will bring Jeannine Richards of the Aldo
Leopold Foundation to Crossroads to present the lecture: "Climate
Change: “A Challenge, and an Opportunity”
About
her presentation, Richards writes: "Climate change has become a
challenge that we must face in this decade. Learn what global warming
means for our future in the Midwest and around the globe.
"What
wisdom can we extract from Aldo Leopold's philosophy of the land
ethic to guide us into the future as we confront the problem? We
will evaluate the global warming challenges and solutions in the
context of Leopold's thinking and discuss how to frame our questions in
the larger context of the relationship between people and the land.".
This
is the final week of the season for tours of the Historic Village at
the Crossroads. If you hope to see the buildings, Saturday and Sunday
the buildings will be open from 1:00-3:00. The General Store might be a
good place to start your Christmas shopping.
On
starry nights, members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society may
open the Leif Everson Observatory to the public. For a current update
of observatory hours, call 746-5896 for a recorded message.
