Bay Journal - Opinion

Eating on the fly

Ever been in such a rush that you said, “After I eat, I have to fly?” These birds have you beat. They capture and eat their prey on the fly. Here are the descriptions of an Acadian flycatcher, chimney swift, chuck-will’s...

Kathleen Gaskell
June 28, 2019
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The wonderful, weird world of water-dwelling worms

The mud flats, waters and shores of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers are home to more than 100 species of benthic or “bottom-dwelling” worms. Here are five of those fascinating worms. Match them with their descriptions. Answers...

Kathleen Gaskell
April 12, 2019
Wildlife + Habitat
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The world beneath your feet

Which is greater — the number of organisms in a handful of healthy soil or the number of people on Earth? If you said organisms, you are correct! Know some more dirt on soil? Take this quiz to see how well you are grounded on the world...

Kathleen Gaskell
March 04, 2019
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Reef sweet reef

Oysters, which grow on reefs, play an important role in filtering the Chesapeake Bay’s water. But oyster reefs also provide habitat for a large variety of marine life. Here are seven of the more unusual creatures that are found on...

Kathleen Gaskell
February 08, 2019
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Night Moves

Let’s call it a night. For many, this means the day’s activities are done and it’s time for rest. Yet for many of Earth’s inhabitants, activity is just beginning. This quiz will test you on how much you know about...

Kathleen Gaskell
December 28, 2018
Wildlife + Habitat
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Take this otterly fun quiz!

If you want to learn more about the North American river otter — or test how much you already know — you otter take this quiz. Answers are below. 1. The river otter is one of 13 otter species found around the world. They are...

Kathleen Gaskell
November 30, 2018
Wildlife + Habitat
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Odd-standing in their crowd

For some, October is the month to dwell on the odd and unusual. In each list here, three of the items have at least one thing in common. You are asked to pick the odd man out. Answers and explanations are below. 1. Winnie Estelle, Dee of St....

Kathleen Gaskell
October 18, 2018
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Sharp as a needle? This bald cypress quiz is for you

The September Bay Naturalist column is about the bald cypress. How much do you know about this tree? Take this quiz to find out. Answers are below. 1. The tallest known bald cypress, at 145 feet, is found near which Virginia city? A. Newport...

Kathleen Gaskell
September 14, 2018
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You dolphinitely need to take this quiz!

Several Atlantic bottlenose dolphins showed up off Cove Point, near Solomons, MD, at the end of April. Since its launch last summer, ChesapeakeDolphinWatch.org — a website run by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental...

Kathleen Gaskell
July 20, 2018
Wildlife + Habitat
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Chesapeake corsages

It’s June, when prom dates and mothers of the brides and grooms are bedecked with spectacular corsages, many of them featuring orchids. The orchids for these corsages are propagated under special conditions in greenhouses. Native...

Kathleen Gaskell
June 07, 2018
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