Category Archives: animals

Wildlife Viewing over the Years

Posted on by | No Comments

Two small brown owls sitting close together, wide‑eyed and alert, with round faces, speckled feathers, and a soft green blurred background.

Wildlife Viewing upclose (but not too) and personal

This has been quite a year for wildlife. Stories have been popping up from all over the map — bears wandering through Connecticut, moose strolling around Gardner, and all kinds of unexpected visitors showing up in places they normally avoid. It’s made me think about the trips I’ve taken where I got to see animals in their natural habitat instead of behind zoo glass. Honestly, it makes me want to go on a safari someday. Lions and tigers and rhinos… oh my.

I’ve always looked for wildlife when I travel — whale watches, manatees, anything with fins, fur, or feathers. But two vacations stand out above the rest: South Dakota and Wyoming.

South Dakota: The Highway Wildlife Parade

South Dakota was the first place I ever saw so many wild animals just… out and about. Pronghorn grazed right beside the highway. Deer darted across the Badlands and Black Hills. We even watched a whole herd of Big Horn sheep crossing the road, stopping traffic like they owned the place.

Five big horn sheep crossing a paved mountain road while a white car waits, with rocky hillsides and green forest in the background.

And the best part? People actually stopped for them. There was a respect for wildlife I don’t often see around here. Even with all those animals, there was surprisingly little road carnage — unlike Massachusetts, where you can tell the seasons by how many dead deer line the roadside.

Here’s what we saw in South Dakota:

Four wild horses running across a grassy field, their manes blowing as they move together through open terrain with low shrubs in the background.

  • White‑tailed deer
  • Mule deer
  • Pronghorn
  • Rabbits
  • Bison
  • Big Horn sheep
  • Wild horses
  • Wild burros (the famous “beggin’ burros”)
  • Prairie dogs
  • And Birds, lots of birds.  Meadowlarks, Blue Birds, Swallows  and a Road Runner (where’s Wile E. Coyote?)

Wyoming: The Elk Jackpot

Wyoming happened because it was the only place with elk available for a timeshare exchange. I’d started looking in Utah, but I ended up near Jackson Hole — and I hit the wildlife jackpot.

I wanted elk, and I got elk. I didn’t hear the iconic bugle — the rut was over — but I did get to see part of the elk migration. A huge herd of does, calves, and bulls moving across open fields toward their wintering grounds. It was breathtaking.

A large herd of elk moving across a grassy field in a wide panoramic scene, with tall leafless trees in the background.

Elk were #1 on the list, but Wyoming had more:

  • Grizzly bearsA mother brown bear and two cubs walking across rocky ground with autumn foliage in the background.
  • Black bears (not always black, which got confusing)
  • Mule deer
  • Pronghorn
  • Chipmunks
  • Bison
  • Moose

One of my favorite moments was seeing a mixed herd — bison, pronghorn, and deer — all grazing peacefully together like they’d formed a temporary wildlife union.

I looked for wolves in Yellowstone, but the Lamar Valley was quiet that day. Beautiful, but empty. I found geysers instead.

Old Faithful geyser erupting in a tall column of steam and water against a bright blue sky, with rocky geothermal ground and forested hills in the background.

Wild Kingdom, Dusty Edition

I’ve had so many wildlife adventures over the years that I could practically write my own Wild Kingdom scripts. But that’s enough reminiscing for now.

With bears in Connecticut and moose in Gardner, maybe the next wildlife story will be closer to home than I think.

 

California Builds Wildlife Overpass

Posted on by | No Comments

 

A newly built wildlife crossing bridge stretches over a highway, with three mule deer walking across the top. Cars travel beneath the structure, and forested hills rise in the background. Construction equipment is still visible on the bridge, highlighting how quickly wildlife began using it.

Wildlife Overpass comes to California

 

Good Morning, Readers

I love good‑news stories, and there never seem to be enough of them. Recently I’ve shared updates about Colorado’s new wildlife overpass and the incredible success they’re seeing — fewer crashes, less carnage on the roads, and migratory animals like pronghorn returning to their historical routes.

Then I learned about Arizona. They already have more than twenty wildlife overpasses and tunnels. I had no idea they were so conservation‑forward, but apparently they’re planning another one because the existing crossings work so well.

And now California has joined in. Up in Siskiyou County, their new wildlife overpass isn’t even officially open yet, but it’s already proving its worth. Just 15 hours after construction wrapped, three mule deer crossed. They were followed by a bobcat… and then a black bear.

I guess it really is a case of: If you build it, they will come.

A forested highway runs beneath a wide wildlife overpass covered in soil and vegetation. Dense pine trees surround the scene, and a snow‑capped mountain rises in the background under a bright blue sky.

 

WMEO Weekend Edition- With Special Guest

Posted on by | No Comments

Two cats sit behind an angled WMEO Weekend Edition news desk styled like a TV broadcast. The orange long‑haired cat, Banner Salcoon, wears a black bow tie, and the black short‑haired cat, Balboa, sits beside him with a microphone, teddy bear, and toy mouse on the desk. A blue armchair stands next to the desk for guests. Behind them, a large screen displays the headline ‘WMEO Weekend Edition’ and a photo of Chef Merengue Snuggleumpkins, a white cat with heterochromatic eyes wearing a WMEO chef’s hat and wooden spoon. The studio background shows bright skies and treetops.”

🐾 This is WMEO 9 Weekend Editon with Special Guest Chef Merengue Snuggleumpkins!

We Meow – You Listen

🎙️ Announcer:

“Welcome to your Weekend Edition of WMEO News — We Meow, You Listen.”

Banner: “This is your Weekend Edition of WMEO, and today we have a real treat for you.”

Balboa (interrupting): “A treat? Banner, did you say treat? Where? I don’t see any treats.”

Banner: “We have a special guest joining us in the newsroom.”

Balboa: “Did our guest bring treats? You promised treats.”

Banner: “Please give a warm WMEO welcome to Chef Merengue Snuggleumpkins. Chef Snuggleumpkins comes to us from the renowned Maison du Cordon Meu. Welcome, Chef.”

“Wide studio shot of the WMEO Weekend Edition set. On the left, Banner Salcoon, an orange long‑haired cat in a black bow tie, and Balboa, a sleek black cat with green eyes, sit behind an angled news desk with a WMEO 9 logo. A microphone, teddy bear, toy mouse, and name card sit on the desk. On the right, Chef Merengue Snuggleumpkins, a fluffy white cat with one blue eye and one yellow eye, sits regally in a plush blue guest chair wearing a WMEO chef’s hat with a wooden spoon tucked into the band. Behind them, a large studio screen displays ‘WMEO Weekend Edition’ over a scenic landscape. The lighting is bright and professional, capturing all three cats as if mid‑broadcast.”

Chef S: “I’m happy to be here, Banner. It’s a pleasure to meet everyone at WMEO. By the way, Pumpkin Spice — did you know there’s no pumpkin in pumpkin spice?”

An orange and white cat wearing a black hat with an orange band and a press badge that reads “WMEO PRESS PUMPKIN SPICE REPORTER” poses as a news reporter. The cat has a blue lanyard and holds a camera, while a microphone labeled “WMEO NEWS” sits nearby. The softly blurred background suggests an outdoor setting, creating a humorous scene of a feline journalist at work.Pumpkin Spice (offended): “What do you mean? Of course there is. My name is Pumpkin Spice. There’s the pumpkin.”

Chef S: “No, no — pumpkin spice is made of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and maybe a dash of allspice. No pumpkin.”

Balboa (delighted): “So Pumpkin… you’re just a common orange reporter. Common, common, common!”

Chef S (realizing the faux pas): “That’s not to say Pumpkin Spice isn’t special — especially this time of year! It’s everywhere: coffee, muffins, donuts, pie…”

Pumpkin looks slightly mollified.

 The Great Pasta Question

Banner (clearing throat): “Well, Chef, that’s very interesting. But we do have a controversy brewing in the newsroom that you may be able to help us with.”

Banner: “Where do you stand on the Great Pasta Question… To break or not to break spaghetti noodles?”

Chef S (lifting her spoon like a judge’s gavel): “Ah, the Great Pasta Question. To break… or not to break. At Maison du Cordon Meu, we never break spaghetti. Jamais. Spaghetti is meant to be long, elegant, dramatic — like a good story or a cat’s tail. You place it gently in the pot, and as it softens, it lowers itself with dignity. Breaking it is culinary chaos.”

Balboa: gasps!

Chef S leans in, conspiratorial.

“But… if your pot is too small, and you must break it… I will not judge you. I will simply recommend a larger pot next time.”

She taps her spoon lightly.

“Spaghetti deserves respect. But cooks deserve mercy.”

Banner: “We’ll be back after a word from our sponsor.”

“Wide studio shot of the WMEO Weekend Edition set. Banner Salcoon, an orange long‑haired cat in a bow tie, and Balboa, a sleek black cat, sit behind an angled news desk with a WMEO 9 logo. A Mueller’s Pot‑Sized Spaghetti box sits on the desk beside a microphone, teddy bear, and toy mouse. Chef Merengue Snuggleumpkins, a fluffy white cat with one blue eye and one yellow eye, sits regally in a plush blue guest chair wearing a WMEO chef’s hat with a wooden spoon tucked into the band. Behind them, a large screen displays ‘WMEO Weekend Edition’ over a scenic landscape.”

📦 Pot‑Sized Spaghetti

Narrator (dramatic, over-the-top): “Today’s WMEO Weekend Edition is brought to you by… Pot‑Sized Spaghetti! For cooks who refuse to buy a bigger pot.”

Mueller’s Pot‑Sized Thin Spaghetti box centered against a glowing golden background. Soft sparkles and twinkling lights surround the package, giving it a dramatic commercial-style spotlight. The red, white, and blue box sits on a reflective surface, with the Mueller’s logo, ‘Pot‑Sized Thin Spaghetti’ label, and ‘Half Length Pasta – No Need to Break’ badge clearly visible.”

Narrator: “Why wrestle with long noodles? Why perform the Leaning Tower of Pasta balancing act? Why snap spaghetti and send shards flying across your kitchen like tiny edible javelins?”

Narrator: “Pot‑Sized Spaghetti — the noodle that fits your pot and your lifestyle. Available wherever sensible spaghetti is sold.

In Closing

Back to the news desk.

Banner: “Thank you again to Chef Merengue Snuggleumpkins for joining us today. We’re sure this won’t be her last visit to the WMEO newsroom.”

Chef S gives a polite spoon salute.

Balboa (whining): “Okay but… where are the treats? Pumpkin, did you take the treats? I didn’t get any treats…”

Banner (sighing): “And that concludes your Weekend Edition of WMEO News. We Meow… You Listen.”

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

 

WMEO News Commentary- Daylight Savings Time

Posted on by | No Comments

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk for a “DST Debate” segment. The orange cat on the left wears a black bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a toy mouse and small teddy bear. A microphone is centered between them. Behind the desk is a festive fall backdrop featuring pumpkins, leaves, coffee cups, and a large clock reading 2:00 with a wooden “FALL BACK” sign above it.

Live from Taunton, this is a WMEO 9 news update – Daylight Savings Time bill stalled in Senate

WMEO News Commentary – Daylight Savings Time

Banner (serious, calm): “Only weeks to go before the clocks fall back and Daylight Saving Time ends for another year. And despite years of debate, nothing has changed.”

Banner continues: “The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make Daylight Saving Time permanent year‑round. However, the proposal stalled in the Senate, with no vote scheduled. Nineteen states have already approved measures supporting permanent DST, but federal law prevents any of them from taking effect until Congress acts.”

Balboa (outraged): “So basically… nobody can agree on what time it is?”

Banner (deadpan): “That is correct. As a result, it appears we have another year of changing our clocks.”

Balboa (panicking): “FALLING BACK MEANS BREAKFAST WILL BE LATE.”

Pumpkin Spice, an orange tabby cat dressed as a WMEO field reporter, stands in a cranberry bog surrounded by floating red cranberries. He wears a white “Boogie in the Bog” T‑shirt and a black WMEO press hat decorated with an orange leaf. He holds a WMEO‑branded microphone in one paw and looks directly at the camera with a serious expression. Behind him are water, trees, and a partly cloudy sky.Pumpkin Spice (remote, exhausted): “I’ve survived storms, bogs, and bears. Now I have to survive a government‑mandated time shift? This job is hazardous.”

Balboa (dramatic): “I CAN’T LIVE LIKE THIS.”

Banner (closing, dry): “With only weeks to go, it’s not looking good for the Sunshine Protection Act. Viewers are advised to prepare for the annual confusion. You may also need to look up how to adjust the time on your stove, microwave, and other appliances. Those are notoriously difficult to change, and we expect widespread frustration.”

Banner (final reminder):Cartoon illustration of a large clock showing 12:00, with a cartoon person hanging onto the minute hand as it lifts them off the ground. The clock face is light blue, and the scene humorously suggests someone trying to hold onto time.

So remember folks, on November 1 at 2 am you’ll once again be turning your clocks back 1 Hour. Forewarned is forarmed. 

Two cats sit behind a WMEO 9 news desk as if hosting a broadcast. The orange cat on the left wears a dark blue bow tie, while the black cat on the right sits beside a small gray mouse toy and a brown teddy bear. A sheet of paper with red markings lies on the desk. The front of the desk displays the text “WMEO 9” in large yellow letters and “Thank you for watching” in white. The blurred newsroom background features blue and red tones.

This Has Been A WMEO  9 Public Service announcement. We Meow- You Listen

 

 

 

 

A Halloween Caution

Posted on by | 2 Comments

Black cat sitting in a pumpkin patch

Halloween brings spooky stories, ghostly wanderings, and old superstitions. But black cats are not evil. They are loving companions and symbols of good luck.

Sadly, black cats are often the last to be adopted from shelters. And during this season, some people target free‑roaming black cats. It’s cruel and heartbreaking.

A sleek black cat lounges on a dark wooden mantel in front of a fireplace, front paws stretched out as he gazes calmly to the side. A TV and small digital clock sit behind him, with a blue wall and plants adding a cozy backdrop.

Please keep your black cats indoors and safe. They deserve protection, love, and a world that sees their beauty — not outdated fear.