Great Smoky Mountains National Park Podcasts & Blog » Bunglesome Biologist – Fauna – Critters

Round and Round It Goes…

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:46:10 +0000

There’s no telling what you’ll see in the park if you look around. This spider caught my eye during a walk on Little Brier Gap Trail. It was spinning its web over a small creek amid the glossy leaves of rhododendron. I do believe this is an Elongate Long-jawed Orb Weaver, but any of you spider experts out there can tell me if I’m wrong. My field guide says these spiders are usually found near running water. Click here to see the spider in action. See if you can catch what makes it stop spinning…

Tagging Monarchs for Science

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:41:43 +0000

It’s time for GSMA’s Annual Membership Weekend!!! Registration deadline is September 3. Call (865) 436-7318, extension 222 or 254.

Thanks to all those Great Smoky Mountains Association members who came along on a trip to Cades Cove for monarch tagging during our annual meeting last year. Special thanks to the Sheffield family for bringing along some extra energy and small hands for attaching the tags! And extra special thanks to the stealthy Bob Russell who caught all three of the monarchs that day and Wanda DeWaard for leading the way! Click here to experience the fun and see how these tags help us learn about monarchs.

Closed captioning is available for this video by clicking the caption button in the lower right-hand corner of the video controls.

A Snail Does a Flip

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:26:16 +0000

What happens when a snail comes to the end of his rope–or leaf? He gets creative. He’s not as immobile as you might think! Click here to watch this clip filmed on Balsam Mountain Road and see how a snail deals with being a snail in 5x speed and actual speed. By the way, how did he get up there in the first place?

What Bears Do…

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:07:39 +0000

So many of you are sharing your great bear pictures with us on our Facebook page! Well, here’s a short clip I captured while driving through the park this week. This bear is doing what they always seem to be doing when I see them–EATING. The bear was leisurely grazing amongst the ferns and may-apples in the woods near the road. But when it got more interested in sampling the plants right next to the road (and quite close to our little group of bear watchers), picture time was over!

By the way, the video camera is zoomed way in for this. Always keep a safe distance from bears. Click here to share the exciting experience of bear watching in the Smokies!

Bird Talk… Spring Is On Its Way!

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:32:20 +0000

Go on a birding adventure and find out where some of those bird songs and calls are really coming from. Filmed during last year’s Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. Click here to watch!

You can also watch the video in QuickTime or on YouTube or iTunes!

Closed captioning is available for this video by clicking the caption button in the lower right-hand corner of the video controls.

A Year in the Smokies: 2009

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:50:17 +0000

Experience a year’s worth of Smokies moments in this short film. Take a look back to the many places 2009 has taken our video blog. Click here or on the photo to see it all.

Closed captioning is available for this video by clicking the caption button in the lower right-hand corner of the video controls.

Wild Bear Wanders Onto Film Set Unexpectedly

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:33:34 +0000

Students and teachers can now enjoy a fun, educational virtual field trip to the Smokies. While filming this in-depth educational program in the park, a wild bear surprised everyone by visiting the film set. Click here or on the photo to see what happened when the bear tried to steal the show.

First Snowfall in Cades Cove

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:58:31 +0000

The Smokies awoke to a layer of snow last Saturday! Although we had seen our mountaintops get a nice dusting already, this was the first snow of the season for most parts of the park. Click here or on the photo to experience the beauty of first snowfall in Cades Cove.

Closed captioning is available for this video by clicking the caption button in the lower right-hand corner of the video controls.

Bears Eat Trees?

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:47:24 +0000

Not exactly, but you’d be surprised at how creative bears can be when searching for food. Click here or on the photo to see how these bears tear apart a fallen tree to get to the goodies inside!

Closed captioning is available for this video by clicking the caption button in the lower right-hand corner of the video controls.

Fun Time for Elk in Oconaluftee

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:24:45 +0000

Elk like to have fun in the park, too! These fine fellows were seen frolicking near Oconaluftee Visitor Center recently. Click here or on the photo and see if you can find the two elk in the background trying to steal the scene.