CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Likebeeseverywhere,populationsofthisMinnesotaresidenthaveplummetedduetoa
reduction in pollen sites resulting fromintensivefarmingandclimatechange;humanbeachgoershavea tendencyto
stand on or drive over this plover’snestssosafeareasarebeingdesignated;animportantfoodformanycreatures,
unfortunately, these crayfish live inpollutedwaters;thiswoodpeckerwasthoughttobeextinctasearlyas 1944 but,
like Elvis, sightings keep coming inand,despitelogging,it maybeprospering;lookinglikeStarWarsDarthMaul,this
beetle’s eating habits are suitably sinister– it feedsona decreasingsupplyoffreshcorpses;NewYorkState’ssmallest
venomous snake is oftenkilledonsightdespiteonlyoneortwopeoplebeingbittena year.
This piece first appeared in Positive News no 97. (positive.news)GALLERY