SCORES & OUTDOORS: The history behind Santa’s flying reindeer

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

With all of our Christmas chores wrapped up (pun intended) on Saturday and Sunday mornings, my wife and I binged watched various old, standard Christmas-related films in the evening. While watching these, the thought went through my mind about where did the myth of Santa Claus and his reindeer come from, and when did they start to fly?

As everyone knows, the character of Santa Claus is largely based on St. Nicholas of Myra and Sinterklaas of Dutch lore. Both of those figures traveled via a noble, white stallion. Yet in some Western cultures, particularly America, Santa Claus travels the world on Christmas Eve delivering gifts in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer.

In 1812, American author Washington Irving refers to St. Nicholas as “– riding over the tops of the trees, in that self-same wagon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children” in the revised version of A Complete History of New York written under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker. Yet no mention is made of what propels the wagon. So where did the story of flying reindeer originate?

The first known written account of reindeer in association with the legend of Santa Claus occurred in 1821. That year, New York printer William Gilley published a 16-page booklet titled A New Year’s Present, to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve Number III: The Children’s Friend by an anonymous author. In the book, reindeer are introduced into the Santa Claus narrative:

Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night.
O’er chimneytops, and tracks of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you.

During an 1822 interview, New York’s Troy Sentinel, editor Orville L. Holley questioned Mr. Gilley regarding the booklet’s author and the topic of reindeer. Though he did not identify the author, Mr. Gilley responded:

“Dear Sir, the idea of Santeclaus was not mine nor was the idea of a reindeer. The author of the tale but submitted the piece, with little added information. However, it should be noted that he did mention the reindeer in a subsequent correspondence. He stated that far in the north near the Arctic lands a series of animals exist, these hooven and antlered animals resemble the reindeer and are feared and honored by those around, as you see he claims to have heard they could fly from his mother. His mother being an Indian of the area.”

In 1823, the Troy Sentinel published the poem A Visit From St. Nicholas, commonly known as The Night Before Christmas. The poem features eight flying reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh and, for the first time, they are identified by name:

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Dunder and Blixem!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!”

Though originally called ‘Dunder and Blixem’ in the 1823 publication, Santa’s seventh and eighth reindeer are commonly known as ‘Donner and Blitzen’ today. Dunder and Blixem are Dutch words that translate to thunder and lightning.

Reindeer were once viewed as mysterious creatures linked to lands in the northern part of the world. Their population was widespread in Scandinavian and Eastern European countries where, during the 18th century, they were domesticated. They were often used in transportation, pulling sleds and sleighs, and are still an important aspect of some indigenous northern European cultures, particularly to the Sámi people (commonly known as Laplanders to non-Europeans).

Taking these bits of knowledge into account, one can see how reindeer might have come to be used in early writings as the wondrous, flying creatures propelling Santa’s sleigh.

Ah, the magic of Christmas.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The Patriots are 7-24 in the last two seasons to date, what was the worst regular season record in franchise history?

Answer
1990. Under first-year coach Rod Rust, the Patriots went 1-15 that season.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: How do these animals survive the winter?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

It’s become obvious that the warmer weather is behind us, and winter is patiently waiting in the wings. The other day, after doing some fall chores outside, I watched as squirrels scampered around, up and down trees, and were just plain busy.

Last week on my security cameras around my house, during the early morning hours, I saw a skunk and a very well fed raccoon, on two different occasions, pass before the lense of the camera. That got me to thinking, what do these animals do during the cold months of December, January and February?

You may already know the cold weather could drive rodents like mice, rats and squirrels into your home this season. But what about other mammals? Do you have to worry about raccoons in winter?

Unfortunately, it is possible. They might sneak into your attic or crawl space during colder months. Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat other animals, insects and vegetation. However, their meal of choice is going to depend on where they live. For example, raccoons that live near the water may snag crawfish or frogs from streams and creeks. These mammals may also steal eggs from birds’ nests or sniff out insects or mice. And urban raccoons are definitely not above rummaging through your trash can or eating any pet food you might keep outside. To put it simply, raccoons will take whatever they can get.

Raccoons are not true hibernators, meaning they do stay active year-round. That being said, you may see fewer raccoons in winter. This is because some raccoons, especially those in more northern states, may store up body fat in the spring and summer so they can spend most of the winter sleeping in their dens. In the winter months, they’ll sleep several weeks at a time, and it is possible to find several raccoons sharing a single den.

Skunk males, for their part, spend the winter alone in their own hole. Generally, skunks enter their lethargic sleep phase from December to March. They lose about 30 percent of their weight over that period. They look for places like patios and garden sheds, under which they can dig a hole to hide until spring.

During winter months, skunks enter a phase of lethargic sleep, without falling in a complete state of hibernation. We can sometimes smell a skunk’s odor during wild weather, when it gets out of its hiding place to feed. Females get together to spend the winter, and there can be as many as 12 of them in a single hole.

Youngsters will share a den with their mother during the winter months. In warmer climates, skunks will stay active most of the winter. In colder areas, they will sleep through the coldest periods, but do not hibernate. Often skunks will use the same winter den used the previous year.

Gray squirrels sleep in tree nests during the winter and only venture out during the morning and evening. Instead of hibernating, they rely on sheltered nests or dens in trees, fat reserves, and stored food to survive the long, cold winter.

These critters are homeotherms, which means that unlike some mammals, their body temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the year; they don’t hibernate. In the winter, squirrels spend less time foraging outside their dens, and it’s more common for several squirrels to share a den.

Squirrels can survive temperatures as low as -40°F, especially those adapted to Arctic environments. Their thick fur and hibernation behaviors help them endure such extreme cold.

Now, recently we discussed opposums and what seems to be a growing population in our area. So what do thet do?
Because their fur doesn’t provide much insulation from the cold, opossums typically spend the winter in dens that are dry, sheltered and safe. Opossums are vulnerable to frostbite on their hairless tails, ears and toes, so they often “hole up” during extremely cold spells. Their dens may be in hollow logs or trees.

Opossums do not hibernate. Their greatest challenge during winter, especially in colder climates, is simply to survive. Very often opossums will alter their foraging habits during winter, coming out during the day when it is warmer rather than at night.

So, there you have it. Some of your “favorite” critters that rummage around your yard, and how they survive the winter.

Roland’s trivia questionn of the week:

Who was the tallest player ever to play for the Boston Celtcs?

Answer
Tacko Fall 7’ 6’’ (Seven feet six inches.)

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Are there carp in Webber Pond; affect of climate change on our lakes

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Common carp

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Earlier this summer, in a Facebook post, I saw where someone suggested there might be carp in Webber [Pond], based on a conversation with an angler.

Carp have long been an important food fish to humans. Several species such as the various goldfish breeds and the domesticated common carp variety have been popular ornamental fishes. As a result, carp have been introduced to various locations, though with mixed results. Several species of carp are considered invasive species in the United States, and, worldwide, large sums of money are spent on carp control.

At least some species of carp are able to survive for months with practically no oxygen (for example under ice or in stagnant, scummy water) by metabolizing glycogen to form lactic acid which is then converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The ethanol diffuses into the surrounding water through the gills.

I reached out to Jason Seiders of Inland Fish and Wildlife about it and to follow up on the lab results from the spring fish kill. Here is his response:

“Maine does have carp – common carp, not the Asian carp that they deal with in the Midwest. Common carp are numerous (and invasive) in the lower Kennebec River which makes them an ever-present threat to Webber. Carp feed by stirring up sediment and they do it on a large scale. It would be very evident if carp were in Webber because you would see them feeding in near shore areas; the plumes of sediment would stand out as well as the large fish themselves. I’m not sure who said they were in Webber, but we’ve never seen nor heard of one, or seen evidence of them in the pond. I think it’s wise to keep the fishway closed when alewives are not present (we do) because that would be the most likely vector for introduction. Common carp would make an already bad water quality situation far worse!”

Speaking of water quality, here is some interesting information from Maine Lakes and Maine Public Radio on the impact of climate change on Maine’s lakes:

– The risks to the future health of our lakes in Maine and beyond are growing due to climate change.
– Warming air and water temperatures coupled with earlier ice-out are lengthening the growing season for algae and invasive aquatic plants.
– More frequent and intense storms deliver more rain over a shorter period of time, increasing stormwater runoff and worsening soil erosion that carries phosphorus and other nutrient-laden sediments into lakes.
– Periods of drought between storms can alter soil structure, making soils less stable and more likely to erode in the next big storm.
– Excess nutrients from eroding soils along with warmer water make lakes more hospitable to the explosive growth of algae, resulting in extensive algal blooms that put lake health in jeopardy.
– Some of those blooms may be classified as “harmful algal blooms” (or HAB’s) that produce toxic or harmful effects on people, pets, and wildlife.

Fortunately, there are many organizations working on climate change impacts and ways our communities can become more resilient to these changes.

Recently, Maine Public published a series on that subject, in one of the articles they reported:

“On a forested path from a seasonal camp down to Great Pond, in Belgrade, a small, but critical construction project is underway.

“A trio of workers from the Youth Conservation Corps struggled to dig a shallow trench. Once they remove the stubborn roots and rocks, it will be lined with gravel and mulch.

“The upgraded path doesn’t look like much, but looks can be deceiving, said Max Comis, a junior at the University of Maine and worker on the crew.

“‘The mulch and the rocks we’re going to put on top of this, it’s going to filter the water. We have further filtration below it, and it is going to stop the bad things from going into the water,” Comis said.

“Human-caused climate change is overheating Maine’s lakes and ponds, changing their biology and threatening their health.”

Much work still needs to be done before we can restore our lakes, as is witnessed by on-going projects in China Lake, Three-mile Pond and Webber Pond.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who is the all-time leading goal scorer for the Boston Bruins, Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Johnny Bucyk or Patrice Bergeron?

Answer
Johnny Bucyk (The Chief), scored 545 goals.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Canada geese make their presence known

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Canada geese

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Sometime between 5 and 5:30 a.m., a few weeks ago, I was unceremoniously reminded the season on Canada geese had begun in Maine. It’s rather startling when you’re awakened from a sound sleep with the clapping of gun fire. For a second, I thought I was back in Vietnam. There was either a lot of hunters, or they were bad shots.

Hunters had positioned themselves in a cove just below from where our camp is located and the rapport from the shotguns sounded like it was right under our bedroom window.

The Canada goose is a wild goose which is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, having a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and brownish-gray body. (For your edification, the proper name of the bird is Canada Geese, and not Canadian Geese.)

The black head and neck with the white “chinstrap” distinguishes the Canada goose from all other species of goose. They are generally 30 – 43 inches long with a 50 to 71-inch wingspan. The male usually weighs 7 – 14 pounds, and can be very aggressive in defending its territory. The female looks virtually identical to the male but only smaller, and has a different “honk.”

The species, native to North America, breeds in Canada and the northern United States in a variety of habitats. Its nest is usually located in an elevated area near water such as streams, lakes, ponds and sometimes on a beaver lodge. Its eggs are laid in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down.

By the early 20th century, over-hunting and loss of habitat in the late 19th century and early 20th century had resulted in a serious decline in the numbers of this bird in its native range. The Giant Canada goose subspecies was believed to be extinct in the 1950s, until, in 1962, a small flock was discovered wintering in Rochester, Minnesota. With improved game laws and habitat recreation and preservation programs, their populations have recovered in most of their range.

In recent years, Canada goose populations in some areas have grown substantially, so much so that many consider them pests (for their droppings, the bacteria in their droppings, noise and confrontational behavior). They have a tendency to attack humans when they feel themselves or their goslings to be threatened. First, the goose will stand erect, spread its wings and produce a hissing sound. Next, the goose will charge. They will either bite or attack with their wings.

The problem is partially due to the removal of natural predators and an abundance of safe, man-made bodies of water (such as golf courses, public parks and beaches, and in planned communities).

Like most geese, the Canada goose is naturally migratory with the wintering range being most of the United States. Although a migratory bird, some flocks in Canada choose not to migrate, even during the winter, if food (such as human leftovers) is constantly available throughout the season.

The calls overhead from large groups of Canada geese flying in V-shaped formation signal the transitions into spring and autumn.

By the way, should you see Canada geese flying north this time of year, it doesn’t signal early spring. Some will winter in this area, fly down the Kennebec River, looking for food, then fly back north to their nesting site.

Canada geese, Branta canadensis, are primarily herbivores, although they sometimes eat small insects and fish. Their diet includes green vegetation and grains, such as wheat, beans, rice and corn. When in the water, they feed from silt on the bottom, and aquatic plants such as seaweeds. In urban areas, they are also known to pick food out of garbage bins.

Properly prepared, the meat of Canada geese is very tasty. I had some once at a wild game dinner, and, after being awarkened in the early-morning hours by those hunters, I sure wouldn’t mind having one on my dinner plate.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who is the all time leader in career touchdowns for the New England Patriots?

Answer
Rob Gronkowski, with 80 touchdowns.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Conversation always seems to turn to the weather

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Isn’t it amazing how when you begin a conversation with someone, inevitably, it always leads to the weather. What would we do if we didn’t have the weather to talk about. Maybe some of us would never speak.

Whether you’re at the supermarket, church, or just bumping into a friend on the street, the conversation always goes something like, “What a nice day,?” or “boy it sure is hot enough.” Get the idea?

Well, the other day, a colleague and I started talking about whether this recent stretch of weather constituted an “Indian Summer.” Which prompted me to think, “what really is an Indian summer and what determines whether we have one or not?”

An Indian summer is unseasonably warm, dry and calm weather, usually following a period of colder weather or frost in the late autumn, in September, October or early November. The Old Farmers Almanac describes it as taking place between November 11 and 20. It states, “During true Indian summer, the atmosphere looks hazy or smokey, and the weather is calm and dry.”

Modern ideas on what an Indian summer constitutes vary, but the most widely accepted value for determining whether an Indian summer is occurring is that the weather must be above 70 degrees for seven days after the autumnal equinox (September 21).

The term Indian summer has been used for more than two centuries. The origin of other “Indian”phrases are well-known as referring to North American Indians, who prefer to be called Native Americans, or, in Canada, First Nations. The term Indian summer reached England in the 19th century, during the heyday of the British Raj in India. This led to the mistaken belief that the term referred to the Indian subcontinent. In fact, the Indians in question were the Native Americans, and the term began use there in the late 18th century.

Indian summer is first recorded in Letters From an American Farmer, a 1778 work by the French-American soldier-turned-farmer J. H. St. John de Crevecoeur: “Then a severe frost succeeds which prepares it to receive the voluminous coat of snow which is soon to follow; though it is often preceded by a short interval of smoke and mildness, called the Indian Summer.”

There are many references to the term in American literature in the following hundred years or so. In the 1830s Indian summer began to be used figuratively, to refer to any late flowering following a period of decline. It was well enough established as a phrase by 1834 for John Greenleaf Whittier to use the term that way, when in his poem Memories,” he wrote of “The Indian Summer of the heart!.”

Or, Thomas DeQuincey, in a republishing of Bentley’s Works of Thomas DeQuincey, 1855, wrote: “An Indian summer crept stealthily over his closing days.”

Also, in his story The Guardian Angel, Oliver Wendell Holmes mentions “an Indian summer of serene widowhood.”

As a climatic event it is known throughout the world and is most frequently associated with the eastern and central states of the U.S., which have a suitable climate to generate the weather pattern. For example, a wide variation of temperature and wind strength from summer to winter.

Why Indian? Well, no one knows but, as is commonplace when no one knows, many people have guessed.

Some say it was from the prairie fires deliberately set by Indian tribes; from raids on European settlements by Indian war parties, which usually ended in autumn; or, in parallel with other Indian terms, it implied a belief in Indian falsity and untrustworthiness and that an Indian summer was a substitute copy of the real thing.

But my grandfather, who could spin a yarn with the best of them, had the best I’ve ever heard.

It seems an Indian chief was concerned about a hunting party that was delayed in returning from a late summer gathering of meat for the winter. The year had been an extremely difficult one and the tribe needed the buffalo, deer and turkey meat for their winter consumption, and the hides for clothing and shelters. Fearing the crops in the fields would go to waste before the braves returned to harvest, the chief sat at his campfire and began to feverishly smoke a pipe, and did so for days, until the air was filled with smokey, warm air. Once the hunting party made its return, the air was still warm enough to gather the crops that had not been damaged by frost, that the chief feared would be destroyed by the impending cold weather. By warming the air with the smoke from his pipe, the chief, essentially, extended the summer, and saved the crops.

Makes sense to me.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

With the possibility this year of an all New York World Series (Yankees and Mets), when was the last time two teams from the same city faced off in the fall classic?

Answer
2000. The New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets. (FYI: It has happened 16 times.)

SCORES & OUTDOORS: What are all the cries and tail wagging about?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about different colored squirrels and what was the cause. That prompted an email from a reader who wrote, “Might you consider writing about their various calls? A week ago Thursday, I heard something making noise in my far tree line. After listening for about a half hour, I started to walk out and look, and it stopped. Sounded like a pained cry followed by what sounded like repeated pants. Happened over and over. I kept watching for someone on my neighborhood watch page to report a missing pet. On Saturday, I heard the same noise and could see a gray squirrel up in my maple tree making the same sound and flicking its tail in agitation. Mystery solved and feeling relieved that what I first heard wasn’t something dying. Still don’t know what agitated it either time.”

Well, let’s take a look at their tendencies.

A high-pitched squeal can indicate fear or pain, while a low-pitched growl can indicate aggression.

Most likely, the crying is coming from a female who is, let us say, lonely for a little male companionship. But whether it’s a come-hither cry, conversational chattering or a high-pitched chirp to get off their turf, there is nothing we need do for them except let them be.

Red squirrels are known to produce both loud and soft “chucking” noises, a vehement “wrruhh-ing” as well as various moans and teeth chattering. Piercing screams have been documented during particularly aggressive encounters and red kittens produce “shrill piping calls”.

Not moving or moving very slowly if you approach it is a sign a squirrel is sick or injured. Obvious injuries, for example, if it’s been hit by a car or caught by a cat or dog. Swollen or sore areas on the face, which can be a sign of infection. Hunched-over posture.

On the flip side, what sounds do squirrels make when they’re happy?

Squirrels may make barking sounds when they feel threatened or when they want to communicate with other squirrels. Squirrels may make whistling sounds when they are happy or content.

When distressed, squirrel kits make high-pitched, chirping noises similar to birds. Squirrels use sound to protect themselves and their territories. Their alarm calls are made up of screeches, rattles, barks, and snorts.

Squirrels express frustration by twitching their tails when they are angry. Those familiar with these expressive rodents know how they let their anger be known: a guttural growl, a chattering of teeth, a stamping of feet. But the key to interpreting their emotions may also lie somewhere else: in the curve of their majestic, bushy tails.

Ever notice a squirrel staring at you? Mainly fear, but he’s also sizing you up. Squirrels have a lot of predators, which means that to survive, they constantly have to stay alert to potential dangers. When a squirrel encounters a new potential threat, it may stand perfectly still to determine the danger level.

When they are mad, researchers believe tail flagging may be an expression of frustration. Aggression is another big sign of frustration, which explains why many of the squirrels given locked boxes actually attacked the box by biting and dragging it.

Screaming? Squirrels use high-pitched screams or screeches to alert other squirrels of danger. Deep, guttural barks are a squirrel’s way of protecting their territory but may also be part of a mating ritual.

What does it mean when a squirrel barks at you?

The sound can resemble a dog barking but is much more high-pitched. This can be heard when they feel threatened by another animal coming near their territory, or if someone comes too close to them while they are eating. It usually means they are warning other animals to stay away from the area.

Also, shaking their tails is basically a squirrel’s way of shaking a fist at you. They usually do this when they sense a threat somewhere.

What does it mean when a squirrel stands up?

Squirrels also present themselves with a puffed-up, enhanced and erect posture when defending territory. They will often stand on their hind legs to let intruders know they are a formidable enemy should advances be made further into the territory.

So now, when we see those clever, sometimes mischievous critters in the backyard, or those bird feeders they seem to enjoy so much, you might be able to tell what is going through their little heads.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What New England Patriots coach took the team to the Super Bowl in his first year of coaching?

Answer
Raymond Berry.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Woolly Bear update and other folklore winter predictions

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Photo by Roland Hallee, taken on Sunday, September 22.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Well, my article on Woolly Bear caterpillars in the September 12, 2024, issue of The Town Line, generated some emails.

One reader wrote: “According to your article in this week’s issue of The Town Line you haven’t been seeing any Woolly Bear caterpillars. Maybe it’s because they all migrated to my boyfriend’s house on the Ward Road, in Augusta. We have been spotting many of them since last week and the orange band on all of them is quite long. I guess that means we’ll have a mild winter. Personally, I would prefer snow over rain that freezes over. Snow is much easier to deal with.”

Another wrote: “Seeing lots of woolly bears. Everyone has a long brown stripe.”

Still another: “I saw one large healthy-acting woolly bear a couple days ago, and am pleased to report his orange band was at least half his body length.”

Another reader, who lives in Palermo wrote: “I live on Hostile Valley Road, in Palermo, and I just wanted to let you know the ‘bears’ are doing well over here. I walk many days and do a lot of gardening. I’ve seen at least a dozen so far these past two weeks. Most have been the traditionally marked version with a mid-body red/brown combined with the two black ends. Look very proportional with the blacks together equaling the red. I have seen one that was black on one end with the rest of the body red/brown.”

So, with all of that, guess what happened last Sunday? I saw two woolly bears, and managed to photograph one of them. Again, large rust colored band compared to the black tips.

From all reports, all the woolly bear sightings have mentioned a long rust-colored band, one e-mailer saying the band occupied at least half of the body.

Let’s hope the little critter is correct and we will have a relatively mild winter, as in the last couple of years.

Old farmers’ folklore states the severity, or mildness, of an upcoming winter is predicted with the woolly bear’s markings. The wider the rust-colored band, the milder the winter.

Other folklore to consider, the height of bee hives. The higher from the ground, the more snow can be expected. I have seen a few bee hives this year, one was in the ground, the others attached to the corners, in the rafters under the roofs, which is pretty normal.

Also, the amount of difficulty peeling an onion. My wife and I eat a lot of onions, and this summer, they have peeled easily, another sign of a mild winter.

Moose sighting on Killdeer Point

How many people witnessed the moose sighting on Killdeer Point last week? According to those who did, the moose took a swim, emerged on Killdeer Point, then went for a stroll up the road. Where it went from there, nobody seems to have seen that.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The Boston Red Sox have won nine World Series. Only two other teams have more. Who are they?

Answer
New York Yankees (27), St. Louis Cardinals (10), (Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics, has 9 also).

SCORES & OUTDOORS: A squirrel by any other color is still a squirrel

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Gray squirrel

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

While driving to work on the Cross Hill Road, in Vassalboro, one morning last week, I saw a black squirrel. This caused me to remember an email I received a little while back from a reader who said, “I have red, black gray and a new one – dark gray with a brown belly – what is this one? How many litters can they have? I am almost overrun with them all.”

Well, first off, mother squirrels typically have two to four babies in a litter, and have one or two litters a year.

Squirrels are different colors due to genetics, which control the amount of melanin, or pigment, in their fur. Here are some reasons why squirrels have different colors:

Red squirrel

– Gray and red squirrels: These squirrels have a mixture of light and dark bands in their fur, which create their overall color and pattern.
– White squirrels: These squirrels can be albino, leucistic, or fail to deposit pigment in their fur.
– Black squirrels: These squirrels have a genetic mutation that causes them to produce too much melanin, a dark pigment. This condition is called melanism.
– Brown-black squirrels: These squirrels have one copy of a black gene and one copy of a gray gene.
– Jet black squirrels: These squirrels have two copies of the black gene.
– Interspecies breeding: Some squirrels’ black coloring may be due to interbreeding with fox squirrels.

The MC1R gene controls how much dark pigment is added to a squirrel’s fur as it grows. A missing piece of DNA in this gene increases the production of dark pigment, resulting in darker fur.

Black squirrel

Eastern grey squirrels come in a variety of color morphs, including grey and black. All individuals contain a gene, MC1R, that controls how much dark pigment is added as a squirrel’s hairs grow. When a tiny piece of DNA is missing from this gene, it boosts the production of dark pigment and makes the fur darker.

Albino gray squirrels are the rarest form of white squirrel. Mammalogists estimate the odds of a female gray squirrel giving birth to an albino offspring are 1 in 100,000.

Biologists estimate the black squirrel is unusually rare with only one squirrel in 10,000 wearing the dusky coat. This mutant of the gray squirrel resides primarily in northern climates.

Western grays are predominantly cool gray and white and don’t have brown on their faces, in contrast to the two introduced species who have a lot of orangey-brown all over their faces. The black squirrels that are common in some areas are simply a melanistic (hyper-pigmented) version of a regular eastern gray squirrel.

As for the dark gray with a brown belly, that one is a mystery. The closest I can come is called the Prevost squirrel, but it is only found in Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and northern Sulawesi.

White squirrel

Here are some things you should know about squirrels:

– What does it mean when a squirrel holds its tail on its back? In most cases a good first guess is the behavior relates directly to an individual’s survival or to its reproductive success. One suggestion has been the tail behavior has to do with protection from predation. If you look at a squirrel with its tail up, the silhouette appears to be the head looking backward.
– If a juvenile squirrel continuously approaches and follows people, then mom is probably gone. In this case, you should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator because the baby is very hungry and needs care.
– While squirrels born in the wild may not be particularly friendly, they do seem to remember their human hosts. In some cases, they even return to reconnect with their human saviors. Squirrels are also more than willing to return to a food source over and over again.
– Do not attempt to catch a squirrel. If you try to touch it or grab it, it will likely do anything it can to escape. This will likely cause the squirrel great stress and fear and may even provoke it to attack you or contort its body in a way that will cause it pain.

Squirrels are everywhere, but do we understand them? Maybe now we can.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Combined, how many championships have Boston pro teams won?

Answer
39. Celtics 18, Red Sox 9, Bruins and Patriots, 6 each.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: With the woolly bear MIA, what are we seeing in its place?

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wooly bear caterpillar

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Send out a BOLO! I got that from NCIS, it means “be on the lookout”, what they used to call an APB (all points bulletin – those of you my age will remember).

Has anyone seen a woolly bear caterpillar this year? Usually, by mid-September they are everywhere. I haven’t seen a one.

However, I have been seeing a yellow, fuzzy caterpillar that has me curious.

Now that the days are getting shorter and the night time temperatures are dipping into the 40s, It’s Woolly Bear Caterpillar season once again! Remember, the woolly bear caterpillar, according to folklore, predicts the severity, or mildness, of the approaching winter with the size of the rust-colored band it wears. The wider the band, the milder the winter. Since we haven’t seen any black/rust woolly bears, let’s take a look at the yellow woolly bear.

There are actually a lot of different fuzzy caterpillars out and about right now looking for a last meal and a good place to hibernate for the winter. One of which is the Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar. While they may look like your favorite pair of fuzzy slippers they are so much more interesting.

Yellow Woolly Bear

The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar is part of a whole tribe of caterpillars named for their fuzzy appearance. The tribe name actually derives from the Greek word “arktos”, which translates to “bear”. It’s not until the Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar matures and goes through metamorphosis that it turns into a tiger – moth. The Virginian Tiger Moth to be precise.

Changing from a bear to a tiger isn’t this critter’s only trick. The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar isn’t always yellow. Sometimes it’s a reddish or brownish color. While some caterpillars may decide they like yellow and stick to it, others start out yellowish and then change to a darker color when they molt. They are either all yellowish, all orangish/reddish, or all brownish. If you find a super fuzzy caterpillar that is part black and part orange, or some other mix of hair colors, it’s a different critter.

The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar is native to the United States and can be found throughout much of North America, from Canada through Mexico. There are even some records on iNaturalist of the species being found in the more northern parts of South America.

Orange Woolly Bear

The Yellow Woolly Bear can live in many habitats as well, anywhere from wooded and forested areas, to meadows, fields, gardens, and occasionally agricultural areas. The broad distribution range of and variety of favorable habitats for this species is likely due to its generalist feeding behavior. The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar will eat a wide range of plant leaves from basil, to the clover in the yard, to maple trees – it will even occasionally eat milkweed plants. Luckily the caterpillars are not particularly numerous, preferring to put distance between themselves and their siblings, so the caterpillars rarely cause enough damage to be considered a pest.

The fuzzy Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillars eventually turn into lovely white moths with yellow and orange patches on their bodies. While not nearly as hairy as the caterpillar, the moths do retain some fluffy looking leg warmers and hats. Once the caterpillars turn into moths, they are usually called Virginian Tiger Moths.

Virginian Tiger Moth

The moths don’t eat. At the most, they may take a quick drink of nectar from a nearby flower. While the caterpillar’s primary goal was to eat and grow as big as possible (without being eaten itself), the moth’s goal is to find a mate and bring the next generation of woolly bears into existence. Here’s where it gets really interesting, though. Remember those pictures of crazy looking moths with tentacles coming out of their butts that went viral for a while? Yeah, these moths can do that, too. Or at least a similar variation of the tentacle butt thing.

The tentacle looking things are actually organs the male moths have and can inflate to produce and spread pheromones that attract female moths. Kind of like a cologne. While they look different depending on the species, some are tentacle-like, others more like pencils or feather dusters, most male moths have them.

So, now that we know a little more about these woolly bear variations, I will know they are of the woolly bear family. The only thing I wasn’t able to find was if they have the weather predicting powers like the traditional woolly bear.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In 2014, which versatile Red Sox player become the first to start in seven different positions in a single season?

Answer
Brock Holt.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The discovery of a rare mushroom in central Maine

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Recently, at camp, a friend showed me photos of a mushroom – an unusual mushroom – she had seen on the grounds. The mushroom had a blue hue and was seen in a wet area. So, it was research time.

It turns out to be an Indigo milk cap, Lactarius indigo, a type of wild mushrooms that are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. They typically grow in deciduous or mixed forests, and are often found in association with hardwood trees such as oak, beech, and maple.

Indigo Milk Cap is a widespread but uncommon, distinctively colored mushroom. In the summer and fall it can be found on the ground alone, scattered, or in groups, in oak and pine woodlands. It grows on the roots of hardwoods, including oak, ironwood, and blue beech; and pines.

These mushrooms look out of place in nature. Sure, mushrooms come in all kinds of different colors, but blue mushrooms are pretty rare.

Indigo milk cap mushrooms are a beautiful and intriguing species of fungi that grow in temperate forests around the world. While they are widely admired for their striking blue color and unique flavor, many people are unsure if they are safe to eat. In this article, we will explore the question, “are indigo milk cap mushrooms edible?”

First, it is important to note that not all mushrooms are safe to eat. Some species contain toxins that can cause serious illness or even death. It is therefore essential to correctly identify any mushroom before consuming it. Indigo milk cap mushrooms are generally considered safe to eat, but there are some important factors to consider.

One of the main concerns when it comes to eating indigo milk cap mushrooms is their latex, a milky substance that is exuded from the mushroom when it is cut or damaged. The latex of some Lactarius species can cause a burning sensation in the mouth or throat, while others can cause gastrointestinal distress. However, the latex of indigo milk cap mushrooms is generally considered non-toxic and is not known to cause any adverse effects.

Another factor to consider is the age and condition of the mushroom. Young, fresh mushrooms are generally safer to eat than older, more mature specimens. Look for mushrooms that are firm and have a fresh, fruity smell. Mushrooms that are slimy, discolored, or have a foul odor should be avoided.

It is also important to cook indigo milk cap mushrooms thoroughly before consuming them. Like many other mushrooms, they contain chitin, a tough, indigestible substance that can only be broken down by cooking. Raw or undercooked mushrooms can cause digestive upset or even be toxic.

When cooking indigo milk cap mushrooms, it is recommended to sauté or roast them to bring out their unique flavor. They pair well with garlic, butter, and herbs like thyme and rosemary. Some people also enjoy using them in soups and stews.

While indigo milk cap mushrooms are generally considered safe to eat, it is important to take precautions to ensure their safety. Here I will repeat what was written above. Make sure to correctly identify the mushroom, choose young and fresh specimens, and cook them thoroughly before consuming. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the unique flavor and beauty of indigo milk cap mushrooms while staying safe and healthy.

When sliced with a knife, the mushroom stains an even darker blue. They’re truly one of the most interesting mushrooms I’ve ever seen, let alone eaten.

As an aside (and it’s funny I even have to say this) cooking or visually enjoying these mushrooms will be the only thing you do with them.

Just because a mushroom is blue, doesn’t mean it’s magic (hallucinogenic). The only trip you’ll be taking is probably to the grocery store to get some garlic and parsley.

The amount of truly blue foods in the world is pretty slim, and these have to rank among the most interesting.

Long story short, the key to finding indigo milkcaps is timing. These mushrooms need a lot of rain to produce a decent fruiting, so after you’ve found a place where one or have been spotted, make sure to go there after a good rainfall, and you might get lucky. Milkcap mushrooms love the same habitat.

When harvesting, the most important thing to look for is the stem. More often than not, milkcaps will probably have been visited by bugs before you get to them. This may mean you cut off and discard the stems, or you may just have to pass on them. Timing is tricky, and a day or two can be the difference between mushrooms for a meal and compost.

The color and shape of these mushrooms is really distinctive – -there really aren’t any other blue mushrooms that you could easily confuse with them. That being said, certain types of dangerous mushrooms can have slightly similar colors, but mostly they’re purple-ish-not nearly the same striking blue as indigo milkcaps.

The indigo can be cooked like any other mushroom, and you can substitute them just about anywhere mushrooms would be welcome. These are relatively clean since they grow in coniferous forests, but you’ll want to check for the occasional pine needle.

The big problem here is that bugs like these guys, and more than likely what you find may be past prime. You could make some stock out of the buggy ones, or dry them, but there’s many other nice mushrooms out there.

If you really want to eat these, make sure they are the right mushroom, and you can find recipes online.

As for me, I will stick with the ones you buy in the supermarket. You can’t make a mistake with those.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Catcher Doug Mirabelli formed a famous tandem with which Red Sox pitcher?

Answer
Tim Wakefield (whose primary pitch was the finicky knuckleball.)