Most birds can fly because their bodies are adapted to be lightweight, not just because they have feathers. Except for penguins, ostriches, and other flightless species, birds have hollow bones with internal bracings rather than heavy, solid bones. You can see this characteristic for yourself after eating a chicken or turkey dinner, simply by snapping a bone in half. Other features that prevent birds from being weighed-down include lightweight beaks (rather than a mouth full of heavy teeth) and egg laying (rather than carrying several young in a womb). Good eyesight, balance, and muscle coordination also help birds take flight.
WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division based at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wild Fact: Flight Adaptations
Friday, January 23, 2009
All New Show! Georgia Outdoors: This Land is your Land
On GPB Knowledge
From the Georgia mountains to the coastal barrier islands, Georgia has a lot of opportunities to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. On this episode, we feature a few ways to get away from it all in an environmentally friendly way. We start with the Coastal Plain Meander, an annual trip down the Savannah River from Augusta to Savannah by pontoon boat. Along the way, we'll learn about the ecology of this great river.
Next, we visit the Hike Inn, a mountain getaway that's accessible only by foot. Finally, we stop by an environmentally friendly "green" hotel on Jekyll Island and explore some ways to enjoy this protected island.
Watch Georgia Public Broadcasting on these nine stations across Georgia: Atlanta - WGTV/8; Albany - WABW/14, Augusta - WCES/20, Chatsworth - WNGH/18, Columbus - WJSP/28, Dawson - WACS/25, Macon - WMUM/29, Savannah - WVAN/9, Waycross - WXGA/8.
GPB Knowledge is GPB's an all-new digital channel! The new channel features quality educational content for teachers and students, great documentaries, as well as public affairs and lifestyle programming. In the Atlanta area, viewers can enjoy GPB Knowledge by setting their digital tuners to 8. 3. Viewers in other markets can also enjoy GPB Knowledge as well at the following digital channel destinations: Albany (14.3); Augusta (20.3); Chatsworth (18.3); Columbus (28.3); Dawson (25.3); Macon (29.3); Savannah (9.3) and Waycross (8.3). For cable and satellite channel information, viewers should check with their local providers.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wild Fact: Winter Fishing
Although Georgia’s lake fish are most active in spring and fall, you can hook one in the winter with a little patience. Fish are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature matches their environment (in this case, the cold water). Although colder fish are a bit sluggish and don’t require as much food to survive, they may still bite. Many fish huddle close to the bottom of the lake during the cold months, so try using a weighted line to fish deeper, and slowly drag your bait along the bottom. Good-sized largemouth bass and crappie may be caught this way in the winter.
WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division based at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia.
Friday, January 16, 2009
This Week on Georgia Outdoors: Green Georgia Getaways
Georgia Outdoors: Green Georgia Getaways
On GPB-TV
On GPB Knowledge
From the Georgia mountains to the coastal barrier islands, Georgia has a lot of opportunities to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. On this episode, we feature a few ways to get away from it all in an environmentally friendly way. We start with the Coastal Plain Meander, an annual trip down the Savannah River from Augusta to Savannah by pontoon boat. Along the way, we'll learn about the ecology of this great river.
Next, we visit the Hike Inn, a mountain getaway that's accessible only by foot. Finally, we stop by an environmentally friendly "green" hotel on Jekyll Island and explore some ways to enjoy this protected island.
Watch Georgia Public Broadcasting on these nine stations across Georgia: Atlanta - WGTV/8; Albany - WABW/14, Augusta - WCES/20, Chatsworth - WNGH/18, Columbus - WJSP/28, Dawson - WACS/25, Macon - WMUM/29, Savannah - WVAN/9, Waycross - WXGA/8.
GPB Knowledge is GPB's an all-new digital channel! The new channel features quality educational content for teachers and students, great documentaries, as well as public affairs and lifestyle programming. In the Atlanta area, viewers can enjoy GPB Knowledge by setting their digital tuners to 8. 3. Viewers in other markets can also enjoy GPB Knowledge as well at the following digital channel destinations: Albany (14.3); Augusta (20.3); Chatsworth (18.3); Columbus (28.3); Dawson (25.3); Macon (29.3); Savannah (9.3) and Waycross (8.3). For cable and satellite channel information, viewers should check with their local providers.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wild Fact: Squirrels
Gray squirrels and fox squirrels live throughout Georgia. Both species are breeding this time of year and will have a second mating season from June – July. An average litter size is 3, and only the mother squirrel raises the young. Their home is either in a leaf nest or in a cavity of some sort (a hole in a tree, a nest box, or perhaps your attic). Some folks enjoy watching the antics of squirrels while others get annoyed when their birdfeeders are raided. Still others find these furry-tailed rodents tasty, so they hunt them during Georgia’s squirrel season from August 15 – February 28.
WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division based at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia.
Friday, January 9, 2009
This Week on Georgia Outdoors: License to Fish
Georgia Outdoors: License to Fish
On GPB-TV
On GPB Knowledge
Saturday, January 10, 9 PM
Sunday, January 11, 9 AM
Fishing in Georgia is a tradition that's been enjoyed from generation to generation throughout the years. Whether you're fishing for bream in a small pond or public fishing area, striper or largemouth bass in one of our many large reservoirs or angling for tarpon or shark in our coastal waters, there's something for everyone in Georgia's waters. All you need is a fishing license and you can enjoy fishing across the state.Watch Georgia Public Broadcasting on these nine stations across Georgia: Atlanta - WGTV/8; Albany - WABW/14, Augusta - WCES/20, Chatsworth - WNGH/18, Columbus - WJSP/28, Dawson - WACS/25, Macon - WMUM/29, Savannah - WVAN/9, Waycross - WXGA/8.
GPB Knowledge is GPB's an all-new digital channel! The new channel features quality educational content for teachers and students, great documentaries, as well as public affairs and lifestyle programming. In the Atlanta area, viewers can enjoy GPB Knowledge by setting their digital tuners to 8. 3. Viewers in other markets can also enjoy GPB Knowledge as well at the following digital channel destinations: Albany (14.3); Augusta (20.3); Chatsworth (18.3); Columbus (28.3); Dawson (25.3); Macon (29.3); Savannah (9.3) and Waycross (8.3). For cable and satellite channel information, viewers should check with their local providers.
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