By Dr. Leonard Lee Rue III   When I wrote my book, The Deer of North America, in 1978, I had already been studying deer for 39 years and had taken thousands of photographs of them.  I have over 17,000 reference books in my personal library and I read 486 books and biological reports on deer in order make my own book as complete as possible.  One of the reports, in the Journal … [Read more...]

  (Quail populations are down by over 80% since the 1960s. Some have given up all hope of their return, but others are taking action, as described below.)   By Marie Majarov   Landowners and neighbors in rural western Frederick County dearly missed the once-frequent “bob-WHITE” whistle and coveys of northern bobwhite, our native Virginia quail scurrying across their … [Read more...]

  Beware of Zebra Mussels!  Really? A small bivalve? What are these clam-like creatures going to do, crawl out from the bottom of a river and slime us while we’re sleeping? No, but they are indeed a threat to our environment and the Division of Wildlife Resources has declared them to be an invasive species to be concerned about. Here’s what DWR has to say:   Zebra mussels … [Read more...]

  The Louisa County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Officers have confirmed a bear in the Bumpass area. It has reportedly killed 3 pigs and now a sheep and seems to be roaming between Louisa Farms Rd and Little River Farms Rd. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has been made aware.  Please refer to their web page for what to use as bear deterrents to protect your livestock and … [Read more...]

  We have elk in Virginia, you know. The Game Department introduced them several years ago in the far west reaches of our state and the herd is prospering.  Below is an update from Jackie Rosenberger and Jessica Ruthenberg/DWR.   As we head into November, the elk breeding season (also known as the “rut”) is coming to a close. At this point, most females, referred to as cows, … [Read more...]

    (This is the second in a series on Invasive Species in Virginia)   By Ron Messina/DWR   It’s a typical summer afternoon on the Upper Chickahominy River. There’s a scattering of small fishing boats, and tons of wildlife everywhere you look—frogs, geese, turtles, and ducks. A bald eagle soars away, over the tall pine trees. Massive cypresses, anchored in … [Read more...]

  It’s time. They’re out there, you know. Leaves. Thousands of leaves! But this year, leave the rake in the shed and crank up the mower. Your lawn will thank you for it come spring. Matted leaves aren’t good for grass. They will smother and kill it, but finely mulched leaves add vital nutrients to the soil, and help the lawn retain moisture, so the grass doesn’t become overly dry in … [Read more...]

  They live in clusters atop the dunes and stretch westward towards the sun. They dance in rhythm to the music of the breezes throughout the day and night. They are sea oats, creatures of the beach. They build the dunes and guard the shores. The stately grasses are tough. They can sink their roots in fragile sand and survive the big blows out of the northeast and the driving gales of … [Read more...]

  Nancy loves impatiens as a beautiful, border flower. She has grown them from seeds and bought them in containers. She has dug and re-dug them as the squirrels chipped away, she has cast thousands of gallons of water on them to keep them alive. She has seen deer sneak in and eat them to the ground. She is through with them. We now, and will always in the future, a much more … [Read more...]

  Ever been fussed at by a catbird? You’ll know if it happens. Since my catbirds arrived, I have been treating them with Peanut Suet Log – a product that I discovered last year and one that catbirds find irresistible. The logs last 2 to 3 days before they’re totally pecked away. The other afternoon after work, I walked outside to the patio to enjoy an adult beverage and I heard this … [Read more...]