Wildlife and Nature - Articles - Zimbio

Bitterroot - Montana's State Flower

Wed, 13 Nov 2008 00:53:51 GMT

posted by Wildlily44

Long before 1805 when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark “discovered” the delightfully scented and eye pleasing treasure that was to become the Montana state flower, Native American Indians were utilizing the roots of the bitterroot for food and in trade. Ancient tribal lore tells how the bitterroot came to be. The legend says that the sun heard a mother’s weeping lament because she could not find food to feed her children. The sun changed her tears into the bitterroot, ensuring that she would always have food for her babies.

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A Day In The Sun For Moon Bears

Sat, 9 Nov 2008 08:32:34 GMT

posted by Wildlily44
Author: Owens-Viani, Lisa
In a bamboo forest along the Pi River, Jill Robinson holds out a finger dipped in honey. The sun peeks through the canopy, illuminating a rusty cage. Tentatively, a tongue reaches through the bars. "Andrew," an Asiatic black bear, also known as a "moon bear" for the crescent of plush golden fur around his neck, licks the sweet substance from Robinson's finger. It is his first taste of kindness in 20 years.
At a recent talk in San Anselmo, California, Robinson, a petite, soft-spoken British woman, and the director of Animals Asia Foundation (AAF), the non-profit she founded in 1998, told the story of Andrew. Continue Reading A Day In The Sun For Moon Bears

Expect the Unexpected - Basic Wilderness Survival

Thu, 7 Nov 2008 01:43:13 GMT

posted by Wildlily44

I love to spend time exploring the tundra, mountains, woods and deserts of our great country. My prospecting adventures have provided me with many unique and unforgettable memories. Through experience, I have learned how vulnerable and fragile human beings are and how a basic knowledge of wilderness survival is of the utmost importance.

Survival planning is nothing more than realizing something could happen that would put you in a life-threatening situation and, with that in mind, taking steps to increase your chances of survival. Always expect the unexpected!

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Tips For Beginning Gold Panners

Thu, 7 Nov 2008 04:12:44 GMT

posted by Wildlily44

By: Marlene Affeld

Panning for gold is a fun and potentially profitable activity and not that difficult a skill to master. Have patience, gold panning is like any learned skill, one gets better with practice.

Read the creek or stream bed and find a likely spot. One of the best places is behind boulders were eddies have formed.

Fill your gold pan with gravel and/or sand.

Pour water into your gold pan or dip it in the creek to fill.

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Montana Bears Prepare For A Long Winter Sleep

Mon, 4 Nov 2008 00:54:13 GMT

posted by Wildlily44

By: Marlene Affeld

There is fresh snow on the high mountain ridges, a bone chilling wind from the west rattles the tamarack, scattering golden needles across the forest floor. Tendrils of silver fog accent the hush that lies over the valley floor; winter is fast approaching and all of nature prepares.

Much of the wildlife that inhabits these north woods is getting ready for hibernation. Many mammals have the ability to sleep through the cold, gray days ahead. Chipmunks, skunks and squirrels as well as raccoons, rodents and bats simply bed down and hardly stir until they arise again in the spring. As true hibernators, their body temperatures drop to near ambient and heart rates slow dramatically as they experience a deep comatose sleep state of torpidity. However, these animals will periodically rouse themselves from their deep slumber to eat stored food, quench their thirst and to urinate or defecate. Rodents sleep very deeply while others slumber more lightly.

Bears are a bit different.......Continue Reading Montana Bears Prepare For A Long Winter Sleep