Sources of Curiosity
Questions from November 18 walk
How do owls fly so silently?
The bird we saw in the woods was a Northern Barred Owl. While they often remain hidden during the day, they are often heard at night with their classic “who cooks for you?” call.
Owls have large wings with serrated forward edges and fringed trailing edges. These adaptations ensure that the wings pass through the air more quietly than other birds.
Unlike most animals, owls eyes are fixed in their sockets. Because of this, they must move their heads to change their fields of vision. One of the adaptations that helps them is that they have 14 neck vertebrae unlike our seven, and a single connection point unlike our two. You can learn more at these online resources:
Why does ice in puddles freeze so clear?
When ice in puddles or ponds freezes slowly, any sediment is allowed to settle out, and the slow freezing process eliminates ice bubbles. When the ice on a pond or lake freezes slowly, the result can be smooth, clear, black ice that allows you to clearly see the bottom as you walk across the surface of the pond. You can learn more about the ice freezing process here.
What do Red Squirrels eat?
Red squirrels eat a variety of tree seeds, insects, fungi, and tree buds depending on the season. This time of year, red squirrels are eating a diet primarily of spruce and pine seeds in the woods behind the school. As snows melt in the spring, their diet will switch more to tree buds and insects. You can learn more from these online sources: