​Toxicodendron radicans
 
Today’s Wishlist Wednesday species is probably a bit unexpected. I would really like to see (but not touch) Poison Ivy. The reason is that I have never seen it. I don’t know what it looks like, and I’m worried that someday I will unknowingly encounter it and suffer the consequences.  

I thought maybe I had never lived somewhere where Poison Ivy doesn’t, but that isn’t true. It lives in Arizona and then from South Dakota south and east. There is also a second species, Western Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii), which lives in every state but California and the Deep South. So why haven’t I seen it? Or have I and not known it?

I looked up the description. I had heard the rhyme “leaves of three, leave it be” which is also used for Poison Oak, which I have no issues identifying. In Poison Ivy, the stalk of the middle leaf is longer than the other two, the leaves are pointed, they have hard white berry clusters, and vibrant fall color. However, the leaves can be glossy or dull, the leaf edges can be smooth or toothed, and it can be a vine or a shrub. This does not help me! With this description, almost any three-leafed plant could be Poison Ivy.
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Poison Ivy, like Poison Oak and Sumac are members of the cashew family and contain urushiol, a chemical which can cause a weepy rash. I (knock wood) have been very fortunate and have never had a Poison Oak rash. This is actually amazing, considering I have been hiking and camping in Poison Oak country since I was a kid. I don’t want to break my streak by accidentally brushing against Poison Ivy. If you have any suggestions on a good way to identify Poison Ivy, please put them in the comments!

Update: May 17, 2025
I finally saw Poison Ivy! No one could believe I had never seen it before. Someone had described the leaflets as being mitten-shaped and they totally are. It was everywhere! It was on the ground and climbing up trees. Now I finally know what it looks like!
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Sialia currucoides vs. Sialia Mexicana

On a recent walk in our neighborhood, I saw some large flocks of bright blue birds. I couldn’t tell if they were Western Bluebirds, or Mountain Bluebirds. Some had rust colored chests and other were all blue. Turns out, we have BOTH species in our neighborhood!

We are very fortunate that both species overlap here. Colorado Springs is at the far Eastern edge of the Western Bluebird’s range, while being smack in the middle of the Mountain Bluebirds. They live in similar habitats, both preferring open woodlands.

It turns out the Western Bluebirds have the rusty chest, and the Mountain Bluebirds do not. In both species, the female is not as colorful. They have different hunting habits, too. While both eat insects, the Western Bluebird tends to drop suddenly to the ground to hunt, and the Mountain Bluebird hunts from perches or on the wing.

Both species are cavity nesters. Bluebirds will find holes in trees created by woodpeckers and use them for nesting. However, with dead, holey trees harder to come by, they have taken to using nest boxes. CornellLab’s NestWatch has some great nest box plans so you can invite some of these striking birds into your garden!

Ambystoma mavortium

Meet Lucy. She is a Western Tiger Salamander who lives in my mom’s pond in Colorado Springs. I have only seen just a peek of her head once before when she came up for air, probably because they are usually nocturnal, but today, she was out in full view. It might be because Lucy is going to be a mother. She has laid eggs in the pond (see photo below).

I first heard about Lucy when my mom called me and said my step-dad had seen a giant lizard in the pond. I thought that was highly unlikely and thought it was probably a salamander. When they finally snapped a photo of Lucy’s face, I confirmed my suspicions.

I saw Western Tiger Salamanders on rare occasions while hiking in Southern California, too. Turns out, they are native all over the western United States and Southern Canada. As amphibians, they require water to lay their eggs, but the adults are found in a variety of habitats, from forests to open grasslands.

I hope I get to see the babies hatch. When the babies hatch, they are called larvae, but look similar to frog tadpoles. It will take four to six months until they metamorphose into sub adults during which time they develop lungs and an additional two to three months until they can leave the pond and be fully terrestrial. Western Tiger Salamanders don’t reach breeding maturity until they are four and a half!

You should never pick up a Salamander. Not only can amphibians breathe and absorb any chemicals on your hands through their skin, they also secrete toxins. Their bright coloration lets potential predators know they are poisonous and would not be an appetizing snack.

I’m a little sad I won’t be around to see Lucy’s children grow up since I will soon be moving out of state. I’m hoping my mom sends me pictures of all my Salamander nieces and nephews.

Eschscholzia californica

Have you ever seen a field of flowers so bright, you couldn't look directly at them? This happened to me at Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve several years ago. It's past peak viewing there for this year, but worth a visit in future if you are anywhere nearby.

So, why am I mentioning Poppies if it past their prime? Because they are starting to sprout in Colorado Springs! I have loved California Poppies since I was a child. Their bright, shiny orange flowers are always so cheery. The California Poppy was named the California State Flower in 1903 due to its golden color, but it actually grows in 30 of the 50 US States.

California Poppies bloomed all over our yard in Southern California. I liked when the flowers were just about to bloom because I would pull off their hats and watch the petals unfold. Their "hats" were actually its calyptra or bud cover which protect the petals until the flower is ready to bloom. I'd also help explode the seeds later in the season. They are fantastic self-seeders and once, established, should return year after year.

I can't wait to see the bright orange flowers again this year. Unfortunately, Kansas is not one of the state where they grow, but that doesn't mean I am not going to try!

Microtus pennsylvanicus

Today’s Wishlist Wednesday species is . . . the Meadow Vole! I’m sure you are wondering why I would wish to see such a small, unassuming animal. Well, they live all around my parent’s house and neighborhood. There is evidence of them everywhere and I have never seen one! They can be active in the day and they don’t hibernate, I just haven’t been lucky enough to see them. I mean, look at that face! Who wouldn’t want to see one?
 
Meadow Voles, also called field mice, are rodents that are five to seven inches long, counting the tail. They are heavier-bodied than mice and have a shorter tail. Meadow Voles live across most of North America and inhabit grassy fields and eat grains, seeds, roots and fruits, as well as insects and slugs.

Because they tear up the ground, I hear people talking about what a nuisance they are, but they actually provide quite a few benefits! They aerate the soil with their tunnels, which improves soil quality. All those insects and slugs they eat are garden pests, and they provide food for larger predators such as birds of prey and coyotes.

If you really can’t have Meadow Voles in your garden, you have a few options.

1. Exclusion
Put fencing around areas you are trying to protect and bury the fencing at least a couple of feet deep. This also works for Rabbits, Moles, and Gophers.

2. Habitat modification
While giving the Voles an opportunity to escape, destroy their tunnel system. Repeat until they get the picture and stop building their tunnels in that location.

3. Deterrents
Put things in the tunnels that the Voles don’t like, such as castor oil or capsaicin (the compound that makes hot peppers hot).

Do not, DO NOT use rodenticide poisons! This will not be the last time I harp on this. Rodenticides do not kill their intended victims right away. What it does do is make them easier prey for predators such as owls, hawks, bobcats, coyotes, or even your dog. The victim still carries the toxin in their system which then poisons the animal that eats them. This can make the predator sick, impair their immune system which can lead to other infections, or kill them slowly and painfully. Rodenticides aren’t fast, they aren’t humane, and they aren’t safe. Please, please PLEASE don’t use rodenticides. There are always better alternatives.
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Climbing off my soap box, I am going to keep checking the Vole tunnels in the hopes that I see one. If anyone has seen one, please share in the comments. This will give me hope!

Colaptes auratus

All it takes is a flash of russet wings and I am so excited. It's a Northern Flicker! The first time I remember seeing one was in Arizona. We lived next to the National Forest, which was mostly pine trees, so it was their common habitat. I had seen a western Northern Flicker, which have the red wings, as opposed to the eastern Northern Flicker, which have yellow wings. I have never seen an eastern in person and would love to see pictures!

Northern Flickers are woodpeckers, but they don't really peck wood. They tend to eat insects off the ground instead. And even though they live in most of North America year-round, I usually only see them when the weather is fine.

These Flickers are very beautiful birds. The western birds have a red "whisker" on the side of their face, and a black chest. They are tan with gorgeous black spots, and, of course, their colorful wings.

I usually hear Northern Flickers before I see them. Thankfully my Merlin app (which I highly recommend) lets me id them from their piercing call.

Just the sight of a Northern Flicker brings me such joy. I hope you get to see one so it can bring you joy, too!

Primula clevelandii

Apart from my friends and family, the thing I miss most about California is the wildflowers in the spring. The first one I remember learning was the Shooting Star because it looks just like its name suggests. I was participating in a National Park Service-led hike of the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains. Ten feet from the trailhead of the third leg of our hike, there they were in all their glory! They were not the most impressive specimens I have seen, but they were the most memorable.
 
Shooting Stars normally pop up in early March, but according to my most trusted California wildflower source, they are only just now blooming to the delayed rains.

They definitely grow in the Santa Monica Mountains, in some places in crazy numbers, but you can also find them throughout California and northern Baja Mexico in Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Oak Woodlands, and Grasslands. I won’t reveal specifically where they are because I don’t want them all getting crushed by some influencer who needs a photo of herself lying in the flowers. (This happens A LOT!)
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There are other species of Shooting Stars throughout the country. They all look similar and are in the primrose family. They come in a variety of shades of pinks and purples and are just such a fun flower to find. Happy hunting!

Mephitis mephitis

Have you been noticing more Skunk funk lately and it isn’t your downstairs neighbors waking and baking for a change? That is because it is Skunk breeding season! You’ll probably also see more Skunks along the side of the road, likely because male Skunks are so focused on finding a mate they are paying less attention to potential dangers such as cars.

Contrary to popular belief, Skunks would rather not spray you. They usually give you lots of warnings. Skunks will charge and do handstands and only spray as a last resort. It takes a while for their scent glands to “recharge,” so they would rather not use their caustic musk. The most noticeable warning they provide is their black and white coloration. These warning colors, or aposematism in animals, are nature’s danger signs. You see these contrasting colors in many unpalatable or potentially dangerous animals such as bees, poison dart frogs, and coral snakes.

Skunks get a bad wrap that is undeserved. They may be stinky, but they are mostly sweet. When I was a child, a mother Skunk had her babies in our garage. Every evening, she would either lead kits through the gap under our garage door, or wander into the connected laundry room if my mom was there and wait for her to open the door leading outside.

Skunks can be kept as pets in some states once their scent glands are removed. We had an education Skunk at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary. Her name was Minkers and she was the sweetest thing ever! That being said, you should never attempt to pick up or handle a wild skunk, even babies, not only because of their spray, but they are also rabies vectors, meaning they can carry the rabies virus, which is fatal to humans.

Skunks can sometimes be considered a nuisance animal because they can live in suburban areas. I had a friend recently contact me about a Skunk under her deck. Skunks cannot be relocated due to potential disease transmission, so any pest control agency that tells you they are doing that is either lying to you or they are breaking the law. Your best bet is always exclusion, sealing off any areas an animal might enter. If they are already there, try some gentle hazing with lights and noise. They are looking for somewhere dark and quiet, so if you make it uninviting, they should leave and you can seal up the entrance.

People also don’t like them around because they may tear up part of your garden. They have long claws for digging, but they are using them to find grubs, rodents, and other garden pests to eat, so Skunks are actually quite beneficial to have around!

I’ve always liked Skunks, but I really fell in love with them the season at California Wildlife Center when I was tasked with feeding all the orphaned babies. I was one of the few staff members with the rabies pre-exposure vaccine, so I got the job. I had to wear two sets of gloves because even as babies, Skunks have very sharp teeth. Had I been bitten, we would have had to euthanize the baby to test them for rabies, and we didn’t want that.

I learned quickly that if you tuck their tail under, they can’t spray. It didn’t mean they didn’t still lunge and threaten me, which was more adorable than scary. It was bittersweet to return them to the wild, but that was where they needed to be.
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Next time you see a Skunk, give them a second look because they are adorable, but from a safe distance!

Trichechus manatus

Today’s Wishlist Wednesday species is the West Indian Manatee. I have never seen one in the wild or in-person anywhere, so they are on my wish list.

My first memory of having any awareness of manatees was in elementary school. In second or third grade, we all brought in our coins and symbolically adopted a Manatee called Sweet Gums. We learned all about manatees and would periodically get updates on her. Sadly, she passed a year or two later when she was hit by a boat propeller. It was pretty scaring as a little kid. That’s really what I remember most was seeing photos of propeller scars on the Manatees’ backs and not understanding why people didn’t just not hit them with boats. That was the very beginning of my realizing the ongoing conflict between animals and humans.

Manatees are ridiculous and I love them. They are underwater grazers, which is why they are also called sea cows. They do sometimes ingest small animals in their diet of sea grass. They are chubby, slow, and spend most of their time eating. They might be my spirit animals. Apart from the other species of sirenians, such as Dugongs, they are most closely related to Elephants. If you look at the nails on Manatees’ front flippers, they look like Elephant toe nails.

Manatees are members of the Order Sirenia, which comes from the Latin word siren or mermaid. Apparently, early European sailors mistook Manatees for mermaids and, I know what you are thinking, “Manatees look nothing like mermaids!” If you were to think about it, if mermaids existed and were warm-blooded, they would need to have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm. Hair wouldn’t serve any useful purpose underwater, so they would probably be bald. They would want to blend into the color of the ocean to avoid predators, so they would likely be grayish-blue. Put those traits together and what do you get? Manatees!
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I am hoping I will get to cross Manatees off my wish list at some point. I’ll need to plan a trip to the coastal waters and rivers of Florida and the Caribbean. If you have been lucky enough to encounter a Manatee, please share in the comments!

Sceloporus occidentalis
 
For those living in the western United States and northeastern Mexico, now is the time you start seeing a proliferation of Western Fence Lizards. They are so common, especially in California, that I don’t think people even notice them. They definitely don’t think they are special in any way, but they are! Plus, isn’t it exciting to have wildlife in your yard?

For starters, they are quite pretty. The males have blue bellies, so they are often called blue-bellies. The males may also have iridescent, turquoise patches on their backs, too. While the females and juveniles are not quite as colorful, they change color from tan to dark brown to absorb or repel heat.

The males are often seen doing push-ups. This is not because they love working out, but because they are flashing that bright blue belly to show dominance.

Here is where Western Fence Lizards become superheroes. They fight Lyme disease. They have this special protein in their blood which kills the Lyme infection in any tick that might feed on them. The tick is then no longer infected and can’t pass the disease on to other people or animals. Cases of Lyme disease are rarer in areas where Western Fence Lizards live.

As a child, I remember watching the lizards sunning themselves on rocks and concrete walls. Even though they were all over the place, it was still fun to have these wild animals in our yard. Every once in a while, we would startle one while playing, and its tail would drop off and keep twitching. We would scream and be grossed out, not realizing that it is a defense mechanism to protect it from predators.
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While they might be common in your area, and you may have seen them all your life, I hope you can appreciate how special these little lizards are.