What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Arapaho call it “Ice Breaking in the River;” the Osage call it “Buffalo-Pawing-Earth;” and the Pawnee simply call it “Green Grass.” Mink sightings have zoomed in the past few weeks. They have been spotted along Boulder Creek and St. Vrain Creek and at Sawhill and Walden Ponds. Although mink...

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Lakota call it Sore Eyes Moon; the Arapaho, Buffaloes Dropping their Calves; and the Ponca, Water Stands in Ponds. A mourning cloak butterfly was spotted by Peggy Oakes on Feb. 1 just before the huge snowstorm that seems to have delayed spring a bit this year. We hope the butterfly sheltered in a bark...

By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones Frost Sparkling in the Sun is what the Arapaho call this month that is known as When the Geese Come Home by the Omaha and Raccoon Moon by the Lakota. Rare birds reported in Boulder County and nearby: a trumpeter swan has been hanging out at Valmont Reservoir since January 15, and several rare gulls have been reported at McIntosh Reservoir in Longmont (lesser...

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in January 2012 By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Lakota call this month Hunger Moon; the Arapaho know it as When the Snow Blows like Spirits in the Sun; and the Cheyenne call it Strong Cold Moon. Rare winter birds seem to be increasing in recent years, possibly because of climate change and possibly due to an increase in feed lots and...

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in December 2011 By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones   Popping Trees is the Arapaho name for this month when sap freezes. The Cheyenne call it Frost in the Lodge or When the Deer Run Together. Thirty-eight Sandhill Cranes lit on Waneka Lake on December 4 at 4:30 p.m. as dozens of young sledders cavorted on the nearby hill. Ornithologist Ted...

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in November 2011 By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Osage call November Baby Bear Moon; the Arapahoe know it as Rivers Start to Freeze; and the Cheyenne simply call it, Storms. Unusual migrating birds may appear. An Arctic tern, two Pacific loons, black scoters, and surf scoters were reported at Boulder Reservoir early this month. Bald...

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in October 2011 By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Ponca called October When Elk Bellow; the Shoshone called it Rutting Moon; and to the Arapaho and Ojibwe it was Falling Leaves. Elk bugling, sparring, and mating reaches crescendo. White-tailed deer mate from now through November. Bull moose bark and moan and occasionally lock horns as they...

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in September 2011 By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Lakota called it the Moon When Deer Paw the Earth, the Cree caked it Snow Goose Moon, and the Arapaho called it Drying Grass Moon. Bus Birding, the brainchild of artist Brian Collier, has come to Boulder. Take the “Long Jump” between Boulder and Lafayette and see what you can spot....

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in August By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones “Month of Joyful” is what the Hopi call August. It’s “Black Cherries Ripening” to the Lakota and Cheyenne and “Corn in Silk” to the Ponca. Mushrooms are popping up like magic in the montane and subalpine conifer forests, thanks to the monsoon rains that have been drenching us for weeks....

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in July By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Lakota call it Thunder Moon; the Arapaho, When the Buffalo Bellows; and to the Osage the month of July is Deer Hiding. Butterfly populations peak. In Boulder County the 28th annual Cal-Wood Butterfly Count will be held on July 4. If you’re interested, sign up with Jan Chu at chuhouse@hotmail.com...

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in June By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Pawnee call it Rose Moon. It’s Idle Moon for the Assiniboine and When the Hot Weather Begins for the Arapaho. Red-headed woodpeckers, not often seen in Boulder County and considered a species of special concern, have been reported in recent weeks. Their numbers seem to be in an upswing around the...

What’s happening in the natural world of Boulder County in May By the authors of Wild Boulder County: Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones The Arapahoe named this month of mild temperatures “When the Ponies Shed Their Shaggy Hair.” For the Lakota it was Planting Moon, and the Cheyenne called it When the Horses Get Fat. Scads of American white pelicans have been indulging in communal fishing in lakes and ponds in eastern Boulder...