Page 19 - Sentinel April 2017

WILD SIDE Continued from page 18 toad flax that looks like butter and eggs. So, make up the food
mixture – 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups of boiling water. Let cool.
area of Wyoming for the annual BioBlitz to identify and count Put the feeder in a prominent place, even with a piece of red
plants, animals, and insects. This year on June 23-25 people ribbon or a red scarf to let them know that the bar is open and
will meet for a 24-hour period at The Nature Conservancy’s ready for customers.
Peterson Ranch at the base of Casper Mountain. Registration
is required. All ages are welcomed. There is an educational That’s all, folks, for this month. Gotta run. I am out of sugar
component to it, such as bird mist netting and amphibian catch- for the hummer onslaught. Here I come, Costco!
ing – oh, boy! - and information on life cycles and species
identification. The schedule of diverse activities is well worth How to Contact Me: Email is best at susan@larskpurconsulting.
checking out. Registration and more information plus videos com. Alternatively, call my cell phone at (303) 725-6868 or
from previous years can be found at www.wyomingbiodiver- send a short write-up to 2255 Quartz Mountain Drive.
sity.org/bioblitz.

And maybe you can squeeze in some trout fishing during your DONATIONS
journey there.
Gordon Terroux
Cherokee Ranch is an awesome venue to enjoy an evening
of nature. This year they are offering a wildlife series with
Nature’s Educators on April 4, April 8, May 2, and May 17. For
$30 per person you can learn about wildlife from rabbits to rep-
tiles including the ones that inspired Pokémon or how raptors
were used during the Renaissance. The educators will show-
case live animals and share their expert knowledge. You are en-
couraged to arrive early with a picnic dinner. For me, I would
like shrimp on a salad. Thank you. A cash bar and snacks are
available. You can also take a mini-tour of the castle.

For reservations go to www.cherokeeranch.org or call 303-
688-5555.

Short Takes
Hint: help out the birds to build their nests by throwing out
the fur from your dog brushings onto your property. If they go
to a groomer, ask for the leftovers to share with our feathered
friends.

So, what is significant about April in wildlife world? BEARS
wiping their sleepy eyes hopefully not taking out a cornea with
those huge claws! But it is really their nose that counts in sur- DUE TO A LACK OF INTEREST, THE
vival. They have very poor eyesight and have a hard time mak-
ing out anything coming towards them. Mama bears can attack SENTINEL NO LONGER PUBLISHES
just to protect their young, although our late lab-wolf Morpho A COMMUNITY DIRECTORY.
would have “conversations” with mama bears as their cub or
cubs were running around them. Morpho had a presence and a
way with bears, but a snake? He would walk 50 feet away from
one to get around it. Wuss.

So, things get busy...bringing in the bird feeders every night.
You may not have to bring in a suet feeder if a bear has already
mangled it, but at least it warns you not to put out another, un-
less it is VERY high up, as we found out last year. Between the
bears and the raccoons, it is easy to get wiped out and entice
them to return.

Hummingbird alert! Last year we spotted the first scout hum-
mer on April 11th!!! Like NOW you should start listening to
the hum and trill as one goes whizzing by. A good indicator
that nature here is ready for them is the blooming of the yellow
Perry Park Sentinel April 2017 - Page 19