December

Beavers: Oakland County’s Best Dam Builders!

Oakland County, MI Government 4 Comments
beaver habitat sign

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

The days are short, and darkness comes all too soon. The dawn of winter draws near. We may feel sleepy at times, but there is no long winter nap awaiting the beaver (Castor canadensis,) the largest rodent of North America. Contrary to the belief of some, beavers do not hibernate. Beavers are true architects of the wildlife world. Although these highly-skilled engineers are almost never seen in winter, the evidence of their activity is everywhere, from the most rural sections of our county to the wooded banks of the Clinton River in the city of Pontiac.

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Snowy Owls Draw Near!

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Snowy Owl flying on shoreline

Photo Credit: Jenifer Selwa

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

The sighting of a Snowy Owl is a memorable and magical moment of nature’s way. This stunning lead image, and the final in-flight image were both captured during the last week of November along the east shore of Lake Michigan by nature photographer Jenifer Selwa’s long lens. She graciously shared them with me, along with critical coexistence advice, as these powerful owls of the High Arctic tundra continue on their journey. 

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Winter’s Song Dogs: Eastern Coyotes!

Oakland County, MI Government 4 Comments
coyote in snowy woodland

WILDER SIDE OF OAKLAND COUNTY

Aldo Leopold wrote: “There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot.” I consider myself an unabashed member of the latter group. Coyotes certainly represent “wild things,” but they are not restricted to rural sections of our county. They are extremely adaptable creatures, and it’s perfectly normal for them to be noticed not only in our State Recreation Areas, Oakland County Parks, and Huron-Clinton Metroparks, but also in our suburban and urban areas. Coyotes are found in every city and town in our county, including populous Pontiac, Royal Oak, and Rochester, nor are they strangers to the city of Detroit.

coyote in field
Photo Credit: Donna Croaker Hall

This excellent video of a coyote hunting meadow voles in a roadside field at Detroit’s Rouge Park, as a deer casually watched, was filmed last week and shared with me by my nature friend, Donna Croaker Hall.

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Find Your Christmas Tree on an Oakland County Tree Farm

Oakland County, MI Government Leave a comment
Family with Christmas tree in forest

Residents celebrating Christmas can turn their annual tree trip into a family adventure inside the idyllic rural landscape of northern Oakland County. As the year comes to a close and Fall makes its final, blustery turn to Winter, there may be no better place to experience the seasonal change than among the fresh pines of a Christmas Tree Farm.

Oakland County’s award-winning GIS team has developed an interactive map to help residents find the perfect tree farm for a seasonal outing.

Tree Farm Map

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