Critters | Mountain Valley Living

Emerald Moths

Posted by Jim Moore | Jan 17, 2019 | Critters

Emeralds! By Jim Moore, Entomologist In nature there are just two kinds of Emeralds: the Gemstones, and the Moths. This article covers the living green gems of NorCal called Emerald Moths. Perhaps you have seen one of these small green moths by your porch light and marveled that a moth could be almost completely green. I often do when I see one of the several species that make their home within our Mountain Valley region. Emerald Moths are members of the family of moths called Geometer Moths – Geometridae – which means ‘earth-measurer’ so named after the larva which...

Tank on Getting a Cat

Posted by Melissa | Jan 16, 2019 | Critters

Tank on Getting a Cat I heard my parents talking about getting a cat. Really? They’re mean. When I visit houses with cats, they sneer at me the whole time. They hiss too. They’re always mad; All I want to do is play. “Don’t get all bent out of shape, I try to tell ‘em, “just have some fun.” Not only do cats seem to have a bad attitude in general, they also are not very loyal. When my dad calls my name, I’m there. Even if he just wants to sit on the couch and watch...

Grey Fox (urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Posted by Jan Ramelli | Jan 6, 2019 | Critters

Grey Fox (urocyon cinereoargenteus) By Wildlife Photographer Jan Ramelli The Grey Fox is fairly common in our area, and those of us who have chickens are certain that they are abundant! They are a smallish canid, standing at about 15” tall, weighing up to 13 pounds. Their coloring is mostly gray, with reddish below and on the back of their head, and a white throat. Their ears are prominent (better to hear you with)! Did you know that they can climb, and they will actually take refuge or forage in trees? They typically find a den site amongst boulders,...

Holiday Cookies for ME?

Posted by Eileen | Nov 23, 2018 | Critters

By Tank It’s holiday time again and I kinda like it. Lots of get-togethers, lots of food and lots of kids. Eh.. they’re okay to play with but what I really like is all the food they throw down. The little ones drop it and the big ones hand it over willingly, whatever they’re eating, even cookies. I know my mom is getting things ready to make cookies. She does it every year. She gives them away to everyone else in the family, but she gives me zero! And then all of a sudden I can smell...

Bobcat at Antelope Lake

Posted by Jan Ramelli | Nov 21, 2018 | Critters

Bobcat (Felis rufus) By Jan Ramelli, Wildlife Photographer Imagine my surprise, when sitting quietly, photographing one of my favorite places at Antelope Lake, I sensed a set of eyes on me, a beautiful Bobcat! She was crouched down in the weeds, probably after one of her favorite meals…chipmunks! The Bobcat is only found in North America and is the most common wildcat. Their description, tracks, and behaviors are quite unique. Their coloring is tawny, with indistinct black spotting, short tail with black bars, and they have slightly tufted ears. Their tracks with fore and hind prints about the same...

Category: Critters

Emerald Moths

Tank on Getting a Cat

Grey Fox (urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Bobcat at Antelope Lake

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