Bird Kelleys Island - KIAC

10/17/2026

10/15/2026

🦈 Happy National Fossil Day!
Meet Cladoselache (clad-oh-sell-ack-ee), a shark-like fish that lived in northeastern Ohio during the Devonian Period (~360 million years ago), when it was a tropical ocean south of the equator.

These fossils are found in rocks all over northeastern Ohio called the Cleveland Shale. Cartilage doesn't usually preserve well, but the cartilaginous fish fossils we find in the Cleveland Shale are so well preserved that you can see exactly what they looked like. Sometimes, even their last meal (small fish and invertebrates) is preserved in their bellies!

Want to see these incredible fossils for yourself? You can find Cladoselache and other animals from its ancient ocean home in our galleries.

10/15/2026

🌙 Have you ever noticed the faint outline of the whole Moon beside a bright crescent?

That soft glow is called earthshine. Sunlight bounces off Earth and gently lights the part of the Moon facing away from the Sun. Look for it on a clear evening shortly after sunset—the bright crescent is easy to spot, but the rest of the Moon takes a closer look.

Have you seen earthshine before? ✨

10/15/2026

Old weather saying: Fat rabbits in October and November foretell a long, cold winter. 🐇❄️

Have you spotted any especially plump rabbits lately? Tell us what you’re seeing where you live!

It’s a curious piece of weather folklore.

10/15/2026

Dianne Rozak’s photo of turtles at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area was chosen as one of only ten winners in the statewide Life on Lake Erie Photo Contest hosted by the Lake Erie Commission. The photo will be displayed in venues across the state. Learn more at the link in the comments.

10/15/2026

Wildly Spooky Series: Owls & Silent Flight 🪶

Imagine being outside at night and having an owl fly right over your head without ever hearing it!

Unlike most birds, owls have specially adapted feathers that allow them to fly almost silently. The leading edges of their wing feathers have tiny comb-like structures that help break up airflow and reduce noise as they fly.

This gives owls a huge advantage when hunting, allowing them to approach unsuspecting prey without giving away their location. It also helps them listen for prey without the sound of their own wings getting in the way!

So, the next time you're outside after dark, just remember… there might be an owl flying nearby, and you'd never even know it! 👻

10/14/2026