coyotes need a home

Nature Article by Earl Plato If you want to be a naturalist I think you should always be asking questions. That's a good way to learn. Naturalist writer Ed teale asked his wife, "Why do baby birds have such short tails?" They were both looking down at a small cardinal crouching in the grass. It had fluttered down from its nest hidden among the massed pillar roses blooming beside the house. When the young cardinal had become alarmed it launched itself on its whirring little wings for a downward course. It seemed to have no tail at all. What do you think about Teale's question? One answer I thought of was that the shorter the tails of fledglings, the less they will get in the way in the cramped confines of a nest. Long tails are unneeded until flight begins. They can and do develop their tails last of all. Makes sense, eh? Any other questions?***We were at Crystal Ridge Library one evening some years ago when the Royal Astronomical Society, Niagara Chapter, reopened at least to me the mysteries of star gazing. It was a great slide presentation and then we went outside in the cool, crisp night air. It was not the best night for viewing Jupiter through their telescopes.I wrote an article for the review back then, well I actually had my son, Paul, do the article for he has much more knowledge about astronomy than I do. Time passed.Ever since I saw the amazing Hale-Bopp comet this year at Paonessa's farm outside of Ridgeway with spotting scope and naked eye, I have become interested in astronomy again.Comets are now the most visually interesting of the non-planetary objects that you can see. Composed mainly of frozen water and particles of other material, these "dirty snowballs" are believed to represent the most pristine material in the solar system. When will we see another comet? Perhaps sooner than we think according to some scientists.Take some time this summer to view the night sky preferably in a place where there are not city lights. Good binoculars can do a reasonable job if you can keep your hands steady. A telescope on a sturdy tripod is where it is at if you have the money. Naked eye? Why not, if you have average vision try to count all the stars in the Little Dipper. I can't anymore. Elaine I need a telescope. Keep looking up!***It was July 26th a few years back when Rob Eberly and I walked down Dr. Marcy's farm lane. On our right and frolicking ,as only baby animals can, were three or four young coyotes. They were having a great time and seemingly oblivious to us. No adults present? Probably.Here it is soon approaching another July 26th and my late mother's birthdate. I'll take another walk down Marcy's lane. Who knows what I will see.I would have loved to have a place like Ed Teale's farm. He and his wife Nellie observed young foxes over the years. here is some of their observations ironically written on July 26th in his log."Evening has come. And so have the little foxes, an adult and three cubs, have appeared suddenly at the northeastern corner of our yard. They are attracted by the bits of suet and scraps from meals we scatter beneath the apple tree.Tonight Nellie and I watch the three small foxed playing like kittens on the lawn, They chase each other. They make flying leaps. They race in circles. They are bowled over and jump to their feet again. Then abruptly the frolic stops and they all begin to pounce on small crickets in the grass."Did they know Ed and his wife were watching? I believe so. What a great movie that the playful antics of these animals would provide. I would have liked to capture that scene of the coyotes at Marcys. Be prepared.