“What’s Up In The Shed?”
What’s going on in the Watershed? Look into the heart of our watershed and discover a world alive with vibrant stories and natural wonders. The watershed is more than a geographical area; it’s a harmonious dance of nature, where animals and plants come together in a celebration of life! Each plant and animal contributes to the vibrant mosaic of biodiversity. From the majestic trees providing shelter to countless creatures, to the industrious insects pollinating colorful blooms, the interconnected web of life makes our watershed a living, breathing masterpiece.
Who are the players? Read on to meet some of the characters and discover little known facts about each of these vital players in our watershed. Keep coming back! New participants will be highlighted frequently. Have a question, or want more information about a favorite resident of yours? Email julie@umpquawatersheds.org and I’d be happy to help!
May I introduce, the Yellow Bellied Marmot??
What do you do on Groundhog’s Day when you don’t have a local groundhog?? For that matter, what did early American colonists do without a hedgehog? Because the hedgehog was the original hibernating mammal used in Europe to predict the arrival of spring, early Pennsylvania Germans had a quandary when they came […]
May I introduce…. The most ghostly of flowers???
‘Saprophytic plants’ are those fascinating ghost like outliers of the plant kingdom that defy the norm and thrive without the need for photosynthesis! These pale beauties have no chlorophyll and no hint of green. Instead, they are shrouded in hues of white and pink. Without chlorophyll, they are unable to get […]
May I introduce, the Yellow Spotted Millipede?
This brightly speckled little mulch muncher plays a vital role in the redistribution of organic material in the forest ecosystem. As is often true in nature, bright colors warn of danger, and indeed, this critter is protected by toxic cyanide. The amount secreted is not normally medically significant to humans, and in fact, […]
May I introduce, the otherworldly ‘By the Wind Sailor’?
This fascinating ocean traveler, more formally known as the Vellela, is a ‘cosmopolitan free floating hydrozoan’ that lives on the surface of the open ocean. In biogeography, ‘cosmopolitan’ refers to a range of taxon that extends across most of the world.  This is a member of the Cnidaria phylum (making it very […]
May I introduce (the much maligned…) Turkey Vulture??
This magnificent harbinger of Spring doesn’t often get the respect it deserves. Arriving in spring in many areas, including the beautiful Umpqua Watershed, after spending the winter in Baja Mexico and California, the Turkey Vulture (TV) gets its name from the fact that the head is hairless and red, just like a […]
May I introduce… the snake with all sizzle but very little snap?
The bull snake, also known as the gopher snake, is a rather hefty, formidable looking member of the North American constrictor family. With a potential length of 8 feet and a color pattern resembling a rattlesnake, this snake looks intimidating but has no venom. It constricts its prey instead. It gets his name […]
May I introduce, the Magnificent Bryozoan??
How cool must you be to be labeled magnificent??? Pectinatella magnifica is a species of freshwater bryozoan in the class of Phylactolaemata. As such, these are microscopic aquatic invertebrates that live in colonies, building exoskeletons similar to those of corals. Most live under the surface of the water, attached to rocks or branches. Their […]
May I introduce, the Black Tailed Jackrabbit?
Watership Down lives! One of my favorite books ever, I’ve read Watership Down at least a dozen times. What a fascinating glimpse into social, political and philosophical issues. As a youngster, it never occurred to me to question if the characters in the novel were rabbits or hares. Turns out, they were European Rabbits. […]
