Rudy Mancke

The patent-leather beetle or "Bess Beetle" (Odontotaenius disjunctus) is most commonly found in climates with higher humidity, mainly in the warmer parts of both hemispheres, and also widely distributed in temperate North American forests. They are usually found under, or inside, old logs or stumps and are rarely observed outside of their wooden habitats.

The sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) is a small hawk, with males being the smallest hawks in the United States and Canada.

This fairly common fungus is widely distributed in Australia and across many islands in the Pacific Ocean, including New Zealand. From its natural habitat it appears to have travelled to other parts of the world in garden or soil products.

This fungus usually grows on cherry or related trees.

If you find one of these egg cases, leave them in place. The mantis will emerge in spring.

Saccharum is a genus of tall perennial plants of the broomsedge tribe within the grass family. The genus is widespread across tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions in Africa, Eurasia, Australia, the Americas, and assorted oceanic islands. Several species are cultivated and naturalized in areas outside their native habitats.

You'll often find this fungus on fallen tree branches.

This is a good time of year to spot Crane-Fly orchids.

Now is the time to keep an eye on your bird feeders, to see many winter migrators.

Many treasures are easier to find when the leaves are off of many trees.

January, the month that "looks two ways." Rudy quotes the words of Phil Robinson.

This non-native fungus probably hitch-hiked to North America from Australia via ornamental plants.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is an extremely adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.

Rudy wishes you a happy 2020.