Dino-Art!

Here is a small little feature of some my dinosaur art. I am not going to go into a big blurb about them. This is more of an art feature than a information post. So please enjoy! Prints of these works are available on my Shopify. >> http://leahcks-artistic-works.myshopify.com/collections/art-prints <<

2015: Centrosaurus

2015: Albertaceratops

2015: Avaceratops

2015: Velociraptor

Spring is Almost Here!

Here in upstate New York we have had a fairly mild winter. Christmas day was 70 degrees Fahrenheit and there will only a handful of cold snaps. Even so, I am happy that spring is almost here because that means most of the wildlife will be returning!

So without anymore delay here is some information on a very common waterfowl, the Mallard. 

On one of my walks last week I saw this Mallard Anas Platyrhynchos pair in a nearby small pond.

2016: Mallard Pair - Cobleskill NY

Mallards are probably the most iconic duck when it comes to ducks in North America. If you mention the word duck the image of this bird will probably come first to mind...maybe after the cute yellow duck image.

Mallards belong to the group of ducks called "dabbling ducks". Dabbling ducks forage for plant material in the water dipping in or under the water to retrieve their food. The types of plants that Mallards tend to feed on consist of  bulrush species, willow species, and duckweed species according to the book; Food Habits of the Mallard Duck in the United States by Waldo Lee McAtee.

When it comes to breeding mallards tend to be monogamous however male and female will sometimes go for other mates. Once a pair is established the pair will nest on the ground. The female is the only one to take care of the eggs and hatch-lings. The male is only there to protect the female from other male mallards.

These birds are very abundant and they are under least concern when it comes to conservation. Numbers cycle from 5 to 11 million. 

I hope you enjoyed this little information bit on the Mallard. Here are some other images of mallards that I took in years past.

2014: Mallard Pair - Amsterdam NY

2014: Mallard Pair - Amsterdam NY

2014: Female Mallard - Amsterdam NY

Sources: Google Scholar, https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=GHJCAQAAMAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA2&dq=mallard+food+&ots=ODGD2Lc5Lg&sig=kKS7NqNnrjo59zrgEXP-K2sl2zc#v=onepage&q=mallard%20food&f=false
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mallard/lifehistory

Adventure to Landis Arboretum

Went to the local Arboretum with my aunt on Tuesday and was able to get my first decent wildlife shots of the year.

I definitely will be posting more of this Arboretum in the future, so there will probably be some history to go along with these photos at some point. But for now I am just throwing some pictures up.

View of Schohaire Valley through the Red Oak and Mighty White Oak.

Hairy Woodpecker climbing up a tree.

Male Eastern Bluebird

Male Eastern Bluebird

My Shopify

My Shopify and what is currently available! www.leahcks-artistic-works.myshopify.com

Photography and Artwork Prints

Mugs and Cell Phone Covers

Clothing

Update on Website! New Photos and Products!

Check out my website leahck.com where I have updated new gallery photos and products that are for sale! 

(c) Leah Klehn

New Website!

This new website is too 1. Give me a professional look for possible employers in my prefered field to come look at past job experiences I had along a place to view my resume. 2. Sell my artwork, jewelry and any other goodies I come up with making. 3. And feature anything I find interesting in the nature/science field. 

I still plan on using this blog however since the blog on the website it very plan looking. So please support my new website! leahck.com!

New Species of Porcupine Discovered!

In April of this year a new species of porcupine (Coendou baturitensis) was discovered in the forests of Brazil. This tree dwelling mammal has an interesting feature for a porcupine which is a prehensile tail. The porcupine averages in length between 0.7 to 1 meters and weighs between 3 to 5 kilograms. They also have a really big nose that makes them look really cute! Check out more of the article  >> here << .

(c) Hugo Fernandes Ferreira

Learn About the Endangered Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog!

Check out SAVE THE FROGS! informational video on the Endangered Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog and what threats are opposing them! >> SAVE THE FROGS! <<

(c) SAVE THE FROGS

Check Out My Wildlife-Awareness FB Page

Contains news, animal profiles, animal videos and more! >> Wildlife Awareness << 

(c) Leah Klehn

Iranian Cheetah

I tend to know a lot of obscure animals, so I figured I knew a great majority about cheetahs. But this is the first time I have ever heard about Iranian or Asiatic cheetahs. There are estimated to be only 70 to 110 individuals remaining in the wild. Check out the current project that is being done on these cheetahs to better understand how to conserve them. >> panthera.org << 

(c) Panthera and other joining groups

Old Staten Island Dump blossoming into NYC's Largest Solar Facility

2,200 acres of the former Staten Island dump will be converted into a solar facility surrounded by parks, delineated wetlands, trails, and other wildlife areas! The project is said to start in 2015. This is an awesome example how once a societies dump can turn into a eco-friendly system. More projects like this should be implemented across the globe. Check out the article >> here << 

(c) James Corner - Field Operations

Proposed Listing of Northern Long-Eared Bat as Endangered Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has extended the public comment period until January 2nd. If this is the first time hearing news of the listing of the Northern Long-Eared Bat check out the proposal >> here << . Comments can also be submitted from this site. Bats are suffering from a fungus called white-nosed syndrome so in my opinion it would be wise for the USFWS to list them as endangered.  

(c) Leah Klehn (just ignore the happy halloween)

Some other endangered animal proposals that I found interesting.  
>> Canada Lynx <<
>> 5 species of Sturgeon <<

Plastic Waste

A great graphic illustrating why plastic products should be limited and recycled to prevent them ending in landfills and oceans.

(c) oneworldoneocean.org

Find stores and businesses near you that recycle plastic products, even start your own local recycle organization if you are feeling ambitious.

Videos on the 5 creatures IUCN Currently Changed Status On

Check it out!

Graph (c) IUCN Red List

Bee Venom can Cure Lyme Disease?!

Check out this amazing story and see how bee venom can cure Lyme Disease! 

(c) Apophis906 from deviantArt

Sea-Saw Effect on Animal Conservation Status

Where Leatherback Sea Turtles have moved to vulnerable the Okapi has joined to the threatened species. 
 >> IUCN <<

Okapi (c) Charles Miller

Leatherback Sea Turtle (c) Guy Marcovaldi

A Baby Black Rhino was Born This Week

Earlier this week a Black Rhino was born in Kenya, this is big news for Rhino populations are declining at alarming rates. This is great news for conservation! >> http://www.savetherhino.org/latest_news/news/872_black_rhino_calf_born_at_borana <<

Photography rights belong to savetherhino.org

Donate to Save The Frogs to Fund a PSA on Atrazine!

 >> http://www.gofundme.com/3za4v4 <<

Ban Non-native Bullfrogs from Entering California

Sign the petition to ban non-native bullfrogs from entering California. Invasive species can do a toll on native ones and can unbalance an ecosystem in a matter of years. >> https://www.causes.com/bullfrog-petition <<
 

Step up your game EPA! >> http://www.savethefrogs.com/frogblog/campaigns/epa-answers-13-questions-atrazine/ <<

Art by Rhianna Hixon