Anacostia Park

01/25/2023

Photos from Harry S Truman National Historic Site's post

01/25/2023

Red-tailed hawk: "I’m not an eagle, but I play one on TV.⁣"
⁣
Did you hear that? Must’ve been a soaring bald eagle! Wait. You say the loud screech associated with a bald eagle may belong to a different bird? True story.

Whether on a hike or watching a bald eagle soar across your TV screen, you're most likely hearing the call of the red-tailed hawk. The smaller hawk has a mightier voice than its larger cousin. Our eagle friend usually goes with a series of high-pitched whistling or piping notes, while the hawk makes the familiar hoarse, screaming kee-eeeee-arr! Do it with us. ⁣KEE-EEEEEe-ARR!!!! Now that everyone in the house is awake, go tell them about the red-tailed hawk.

What's a bird call that you know instantly who it belongs to?

Image: Young red-tailed hawk stares at camera at Colonial National Historical Park, VA. NPS/Linda Williams⁣

01/24/2023

Photos from Capulin Volcano National Monument's post

01/23/2023

Photos from Reconstruction Era National Historical Park's post

01/22/2023

Ever wonder what these black, palm-sized leathery cases are that sometimes wash up on Gateway beaches?

Sometimes known as “mermaid’s purse,” these pouches are the egg cases of skates, a wide, flat fish that resemble rays. Each species of skate has differently shaped egg cases. These egg cases are probably from the Little Skate (Leucoraja erinacea), a skate commonly found along the Jersey shore.

Skates lay eggs year-round, so these egg cases can be found at any time of the year along Gateway’s beaches. Each egg case has four “horns” on each corner, which help anchor the case to seaweed on the bottom of the sea floor, as well as facilitate with gas and waste exchange of the growing skate embryo. When the skate embryo has finished developing, the pouch opens on one end, and the skate emerges. Most of the time, the egg cases you find washed up on shore are empty.

The egg cases pictured above were found on Sandy Hook after the Christmas Eve flooding, most likely washed ashore by the rough surf and tall waves.

NPS image: 4 black, leathery egg cases lying in the sand

LT

01/22/2023

Photos from Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area's post

01/21/2023

I believe I can fly….

Aww, nuts!!!

Flying squirrels are found in many national parks. But this is a rock squirrel. Although the rock squirrel belongs to the ground squirrel family, it can be seen reaching for the sky by climbing boulders, rocks, and trees. Although they may look cute and come right up to you, please remember that squirrels are wild animals—don't feed them, and keep your distance—because they can bite, usually from the front, or “bitey end.”

Image: A rock squirrel attempting to sploot but ending up with a splat at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM. NPS/Anthony Mazzucco

01/20/2023

Just horsing around...

Have an “itch” to travel? Come on over to Assateague Island!

Make sure to stop into the National Seashore visitor center to check out the exhibits, aquariums, and bookstore before grabbing a map and heading out to explore!

The Maryland District visitor center is open daily from 9am-4pm and the Tom’s Cove visitor center is open Fridays through Mondays from 9am-4pm.

NPS Photos: C. Cook

01/19/2023

Cool story, Poe.

On this day in 1809, Edgar Allan Poe, notable writer, poet, editor, and literary critic best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Poe lived in several places where he left his mark, including Richmond, Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland, and New York City. Have you visited a site connected to Poe?

The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia preserves the home once rented by Poe. The site is managed part of Independence NHP, Edgar Allan Poe NHS & Thaddeus Kosciuszko NM. Though he lived in many houses over several years in Philadelphia (1838 to 1844), it is the only one which still survives. While living in Philadelphia, Poe published some of his most well-known works, including "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," and "The Gold-Bug." What’s your favorite literary work written by Poe?

Are you an avid reader? Did you know the National Park Service preserves the work and world of many great writers, poets, and storytellers? Explore the places and stories that inspired their most-notable works at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/literature

Epilogue: Did you know Poe enlisted in the US Army in 1827? During his time with the Army, he was assigned several different posts, including Fort Moultrie and Fortress Monroe which today are managed by the National Parks Service as Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument.

Image: The home once rented by American author Edgar Allan Poe, located at 532 N. 7th Street, in the Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

01/19/2023

01/19/2023

Photos from Yosemite National Park's post

01/18/2023

📣 If you’re interested in biology, fisheries, aquaculture, ecology, or environmental science, this new Fish and Feathers program might interest you! The program is funded by the National Park Service (NPS) and administered by Environment for the Americas! Interns will focus on supporting, implementing, and possibly leading community outreach programs that focus on fishing and birding activities. The overall goal is to increase diverse community engagement with NPS partners during the program and in years to come.

Through this program, interns will get to:
✅ Reach out to local communities to increase engagement in fishing and birdwatching
✅ Understand regulations regarding fishing and ethical birding and communicate this information to program participants
✅ Lead and/or support the implementation of fishing and birding program
✅ Manage and maintain program equipment

Apply by Monday, February 6th to work as a Fish and Feathers intern at national parks, such as Niobrara National Scenic River, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Indiana Dunes National Park, Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Everglades National Park, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, American Memorial Park, Gateway National Recreation Area, Grand Portage National Monument, Big Thicket National Preserve, War in the Pacific National Historical Park, and Bandelier National Monument ➡️ https://environmentamericas.org/diversity-internships/available-internships/

📸 Courtesy of Environment for the Americas - Fish and Feathers program flyer

01/17/2023

When you leave a bag of potatoes in the pantry for a month…

The walrus spends almost its entire life in the sea, primarily relying on sea ice for resting spots. Several adaptations help them with this aquatic lifestyle. Air pouches located in their upper necks keep them afloat when they are sleeping. Their head is small in comparison with its heavy body, and the upper lip is thick and fleshy with a stiff moustache made up of bristles which are important sensory
organs. Although there are other teeth in the upper jaw, it is the greatly enlarged canine teeth, called tusks, that give the walrus its distinctive “spout-like” appearance. Spudtacular!

Image: A group of walrus with long tusks at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, AK.

01/17/2023

Arrowhead Jazz Band Presented by the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

Arrowhead Jazz Band Presented by the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

01/17/2023

“So you better make that call to the Plow King!” - Barney Gumble and Linda Ronstadt

Barney, how could you? When not using their large head and massive neck muscles to upend tourists who get too close, bison also use their head as snow plows to forage and make some extra “d’oh” by clearing their neighbor’s driveway.

During the cold winter season, bison also develop thick, woolly coats that help protect them from freezing temperatures and harsh winds. It’s said that a bison's winter coat is so thick and provides insulation so effective that when snow accumulates on its coat, it will not melt from the heat of the bison's skin. Their skin also thickens in response to cold temperatures and fatty deposits appear to insulate the animal.
⁣
⁣Image: When the snow starts a'falling, there’s a bison you should be calling! Bull bison make their way through snow in Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley. NPS/Neal Herbert

01/16/2023

When we celebrate , we honor Dr. King’s legacy in the Civil Rights Movement, as well as his dedication to public service.

What will we do for others today? Join the thousands of volunteers giving back at the National Park Service on this fee-free day by visiting our website: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm.

Anacostia Park

01/15/2023

Park Rangers wear many hats, literally and figuratively. The summer straw hat that we call a flat hat is part of our signature look, but did you know there's also a felt flat hat that's part of the winter uniform? On extremely windy days, flat hats transform into frisbees and we turn into track stars 🏃‍♂️.

Park Rangers have a variety of responsibilities and job titles. Need hiking trail information or Junior Ranger books? Does a trail require maintenance? Notice someone off-trail? We've got it covered! No matter what hat a park employee wears, it's an invitation to start a conversation. What does the flat hat symbolize for you?

01/15/2023

The house at 501 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia was where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. The home is one of several buildings at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park that preserves where Dr. King was born, lived, worked and worshipped. Dr. King’s influence reached far beyond his Atlanta neighborhood. In many locations, people have preserved places that are associated with King. Many of these sites are managed by the National Park Service.

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama commemorates the historic 1965 march led by Dr. King and other leaders after the tragic events surrounding “Bloody Sunday.” Dr. King’s most famous speech, “I Have A Dream,” was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., a short walk from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial part of National Mall and Memorial Parks. These places -- and many others -- are tributes to Dr. King and all who took part in the Civil Rights Movement. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/civilrights/parks.htm

In honor of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., all national park sites will offer free admission on Monday, January 16, 2023. Join parks across the country in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through special programs and a day of service. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm

Image: The two-story house at 501 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born.

01/14/2023

Photos from Great Smoky Mountains National Park's post

01/14/2023

Photos from Harpers Ferry National Historical Park's post

01/13/2023

In honor of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., national parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on Monday, January 16, 2023, as the first fee free day of the year. It is also a day of service when thousands of volunteers participate in service projects across the country, including at national parks.

Learn more about Dr. King’s legacy and stay updated on volunteer events near you at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm



Image: NPS/Kurt Moses

01/13/2023

Camping on Friday the 13th? What’s the worst that could happen?

Nah. You got this. Camping can be “in-tents,” but there are lots of ways you can be prepared and plan ahead for a safe and memorable experience. Always remember to:

⛺️ Plan for your park visit—careful planning will prevent many safety issues.

⛺️ Research and learn about possible risks with the park environment and your camping trip before you go.

⛺️ Don't poke things with sticks.

⛺️ Seek and listen to the information, advice, and ALL warnings provided by park staff.

⛺️ Know your physical and mental limits.

⛺️ Wear comfortable shoes.

⛺️ If you’re running in the woods and trip, get back up.

⛺️ Avoid cornfields. But I really like corn?

⛺️ Use good judgment and avoid reading out loud from old books in order to summon otherworldly forces. Keep it to yourself. Manners.

⛺️ Check the weather forecast.

⛺️ If you're in the woods and see someone wearing a hockey mask, resist the urge to ask them to explain the offsides rule.

⛺️ Be realistic and always stay within your swimming abilities.

⛺️ Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Unless its a doll asking if you wanna play.

⛺️ Have fun!

Find more camping tips at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/camping/staying-safe.htm

Image: Two tents under tall pines, along a sandy beach with a swimming area and dock at Lake Roosevelt NPS. NPS/ Chelsea Brauner

01/12/2023

When people tell me, “You’re going to regret that in the morning,” I sleep until noon because I’m a problem solver.

This Screech owl has seen things. (Just not in the morning.) Like many owls, Eastern Screech Owls are mostly nocturnal. They hunker down in tree cavities and mainly spend their days sleeping. At night, Eastern Screech Owls emerge from their nests to search for food.

Yum. That was good. Screech-owls regurgitate the bones, fur, and feathers of their prey in an oval pellet, usually once or twice a day. The ground beneath habitual owl roosts can be littered with pellets, and you can learn a lot from them about the owl’s diet. Whooooo remembers dissecting an owl pellet in school? Good times.

Image: A wide-eyed Screech owl sits on a tree branch at Wind Cave National Park, SD.

01/12/2023

Timeline photos

Across "the pond" it's Hot Tea Day! One of the best-known beverages in the world, tea was also popular among miners. Cornish miners, hailing from the southwest coast of Britain, tended to be particularly fond of tea. Cornish families brought underground mining traditions with them to the . These could include a pasty lunch--- and some tea in the bottom of their pail to help it stay warm!

How do you take your tea?

📷NPS/L Webber

01/11/2023

Photos from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park's post

01/11/2023

How do you keep warm during the winter months? One of our resident roadrunners has taken to cozying up in the corner of one of the visitor center windows.

NPS Photo / Daniel Leifheit

01/10/2023

Visit a park near you on January 16 for MLK Day of Service!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honors the life and legacy of a civil rights movement leader and works toward creating the beloved community of Dr. King’s dreams through service.

Many National Park Service sites across the country are hosting projects. Visit our website to search for volunteer opportunities and events on this fee-free day: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm.

Anacostia Park

01/10/2023

“Get on your feet
Get up and make it happen…”

Whether it’s hiking, skiing, sledding, tubing, or ice skating, stand up and take some action this winter. No matter what you choose, be careful out there. Everybody smile and wave.

What are some of your favorite winter activities (besides staying indoors)?

Find inspiration at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/wintersports/visit.htm

Image: A snowshoer walking in snow with another having in the snow at Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA.

01/10/2023

90% of a relationship is deciding where to eat…

“I picked the wheatgrass yesterday. It’s your pick.” What’s for dinner? Prairie dogs feed primarily on plants, selecting forbs (flowering, broad-leaved plants) and grasses high in moisture content and nutritive value to supply their needs for water and energy. As winter comes around, they will transition to seeds and insects that are sources of high fiber.

Most prairie dog species don’t hibernate through the winter, but they do put on weight (umm, it’s called layering) in preparation for the colder months, and they can go into periods of deeper sleep during particularly lean and cold periods of time.

Image: Two white-tailed prairie dogs standing upright and surveying the landscape of Fossil Butte National Monument, WY.

01/09/2023

On National Law Enforcement Day, we would like to thank all NPS Protection Rangers for their service.

01/08/2023

Accomplish your goals one step at a time!

Ewe got this! A new year means new goals and adventures to embark upon. With more than 400 unique national parks and hundreds of programs and partnerships nationwide, the opportunities are endless to enjoy parks visiting in person or in your neighborhood.

Find inspiration at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/envisioning-your-park-experience.htm

Image: That escalated quickly! Several desert Bighorn sheep spotted on the side of a rocky cliff at Colorado National Monument. NPS/Molly Murphy

01/07/2023

Why did the bear cross the bridge? To get to the other side, and nothing more, we hope!

During the winter, some bears will come and go from hibernation, while others may just never tuck in for the season if there’s enough food to go around. This means that, just like us, they’re willing to wander through the snow from time to time to see what they can find. It’s unclear whether they appreciate Yosemite Falls in the same manner that we do this time of year, but we certainly do know that they’ll enjoy your lunch, perhaps more so than you, if they can get to it. Since it’s bad for both you and the bear if the bear succeeds, here are some food storage guidelines that’ll keep everyone happy and healthy during your winter visit to Yosemite:

❄ Please keep all food and scented items, regardless of packaging, within arm’s reach. If there’s food in your pack or cooler, that means your pack or cooler is within arm’s reach.

❄ Food and scented items can be stored out of sight in your vehicle during the day. Overnight, please store these items inside your hotel room with windows closed or secured in a food locker.

❄ Dispose of all trash in proper bear-resistant trash can or dumpster, reattaching the clip of the can or dumpster if it has one. If no trash can is available, please pack your trash with you until you find one.

❄ Maintain a safe and respectful distance of about fifty yards away from any bear you may encounter. If you are unable to safely retreat if a bear approaches within that distance, please scare it away by shouting loudly and aggressively.

❄ Please report bear encounters by calling 209/372-0322. If a bear is lingering in a developed area or is trying to acquire human food, call 911.

These practices encourage our bears to have longer, healthier lives. You can read more about food storage policies here: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bears.htm

Also, check out www.keepbearswild.org to learn further how you can help protect these beloved creatures in Yosemite.