Summer Adaptations: Wildlife Are Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot
On top of their everyday survival challenges, Oklahoma’s wildlife are often subjected to grueling hot temperatures and drought conditions. We share our favorite summer adaptations that dragonflies, birds, lizards, snakes, and even squirrels use to deal with scorching conditions.
New Book Explores Oklahoma’s Natural World
“A Naturalist’s Guide to Oklahoma” can be your trail guide for learning about common and rare plants and animals, recognizing habitats, and understanding natural histories. Reading this book is like taking a friendly hike with the author and getting a personal tour of Oklahoma.
Wild America
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, we’ve dug deep into field guides and reference books to find Oklahoma fish and wildlife that have a tie to our country’s history and heritage. From the red, white, and blue to those “officially” named in 1776, we’ve got dozens of wild America examples and trivia that are basically firecrackers for your brain.
Route 66: Where Wild Things Are
Between photo ops, diner food, and getting your proverbial kicks, keep an eye out for a roadside attraction that can be seen along every mile of Route 66 — wildlife! The famous highway offers a windshield-level view of Oklahoma’s natural beauty and wildlife diversity.
OKC Zoo Tracks Monarchs on the Move
Twenty “first generation” Oklahoma monarchs were tagged with small solar-powered transmitters at the Oklahoma City Zoo to track their northbound migration. This incredible technology has tracked one Oklahoma monarch more than 200 miles!
Mountain Bluebird
The mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) is a small thrush with a round head, thin bill, and brilliant bright blue plumage on the male of the species.
Shells that Tell: Photos Show Turtles' Staying Power
In 2018, Piedmont resident Thomas Hall rummaged in his pocket for his phone and snapped a picture directly above an ornate box turtle he had found in his backyard. He's since documented several turtles using the space, identifying individuals by their unique shell pattern.
St. Jude Monitors Wildlife Disease to Safeguard Children
Medical research met wildlife disease surveillance this winter when a St. Jude disease researcher tested sediment samples at known whooping crane stopover sites in five states. This pilot project gave insights into the prevalence and detection rates of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the Central Flyway.
QUIZ: What Kind of Birder Are You?
Are you a fledgling birder, a yard bird, or a long-distance migrant? Take our bird watching quiz to find your birding style, then get tips for building skills and leveling up your birding experience.
Birding by Ear: Tips for Identifying Bird Songs
Identifying the songs and calls made by individual bird species, or birding by ear, is a great way to level up your nature experience and appreciate birds in a new way.