I guess I was the typical inquisitive youngster. I often asked Dad: “What is that?” or “Why did it do that?

But know that most of my questions were nature related. It’s no wonder, though. Dad hunted, fished and even dabbled a little at trapping. I tagged along as much as I could. If I wasn’t asking him questions, he was quizzing me about something new near us in the woods.

It is no wonder that I became a biology major.

While at East Stroudsburg State College in the early 1970s I took nearly every field biology and aquatic courses offered that would fit into my schedule. That was my passion.

I still try to learn more, so when I decide on a topic to submit to this paper, even though I felt I knew most everything about it, I still research the topic more.

There is much that I didn’t know. So, I thought this week I’d throw out some things that maybe you didn’t know.

Bird migration may be the topic that amazes me the most, from the marvels of hawk migrations along our ridgetops to the millions and millions of birds flying over us in their nightly migrations.

I knew that some birds were amazing long-distance fliers, but in my quest to find more info, I found out that one bar-tailed godwit actually flew 11 days without stopping. I didn’t know. I thought our hummingbird’s flight across the Gulf was phenomenal. Well, it still really is.

For one article, I read information on the tiny ruby-crowned kinglet that weighs less than 0.3 ounces, and yet lays up to 12 eggs in one nest. Or, that many bat species could eat 8,000 insects in one night.

I did some research about bird eggs. Did you know that besides cowbirds, which lay their egg in another bird’s nest, that the yellow-billed cuckoo can do the same? However, the cuckoo still builds its own nest, while the cowbird doesn’t.

Also, bird eggs are classified into nine different shapes. Some species have eggs that are noticeably pointed at one end (pyriform shape). These eggs are shaped in that fashion because those birds nest on cliff edges, often where it is very windy. If bumped by a parent bird or dislodged by the wind, the egg will not roll off the edge but pivot around the “pointed” end. Amazing adaptation!

In contrast, did you know that the eggs of birds that nest in cavities (like a hollow tree trunk) may be nearly spherical? They aren’t going to roll off a cliff edge there.

With our area finally receiving some needed rains, you may notice mushrooms popping up almost everywhere.

But did you know that the mushroom you see in your lawn is only the fruiting body, the structure where the spores are formed and released?

The unseen part of the mushroom is an underground network of fine, thread-like fibers called mycelium.

These structures absorb nutrients and break down organic matter, aiding in decomposition.

More amazing is that the mycelium may extend a dozen feet or more, and only when conditions are right (ample moisture and proper temperature range) does the mushroom, of which you are familiar, appear.

Check a few of my photos for some more, Did you know?

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: True/False Some wild birds lay more than two eggs a day.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: It may surprise you that the honey bee is not native to North America but the fisher is.

Email Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com