Less than 30 years later, the species was apparently extinct. Sightings often placed their swarms in numbers far larger than any other locust species, with one famous sighting in 1875 estimated at 198,000 square miles (510,000 km 2) in size (greater than the area of California), weighing 27.5 million tons and consisting of some 12.5 trillion insects, the greatest concentration of animals ever speculatively guessed, according to Guinness World Records. The Rocky Mountain locust ( Melanoplus spretus) is an extinct species of grasshopper that ranged through the western half of the United States and some western portions of Canada with large numbers seen until the end of the 19th century. One of the most interesting persons I have met in my life.Ĭlick on his name in the scroll down, or click on "our members" and he is top row, middle. He is an artist in his retirement, and has works in major galleries around the country. If you go to the link below, you can click on his name on the left side, and see him and some of his wildlife artwork. He and an associate had to scale a snow covered mountain and grab handfulls of nests, take them back to their laboratory and photograph every stage of the fleas life. He actually discovered a previously unknown Antartic Flea that lives their entire life in the nest of certain birds there. One of my favorites is when he was sent to the Antartic to look for fleas.Yes, fleas. To listen to his stories and exploits is truly awe inspiring. The individual I am speaking of is Devere Burt. But it happens dozens of times a year, I understand.Īs a side note. Personally I hope that both the Passenger Pigeon and the IBW are still around. Here is a link to the youtube video of this possible amazing find, that I dispute. The lack of a lightining bolt pattern on the body, etc, etc. Press stop ont he video when you get a good head shot and compare it to the Pileated Woodpecker. Here are side by side photos Check them out for yourself. I also believe that the bird in the video is obviously a Pileated Woodpecker. In a telephone pole! They seem to be 90% certain, but not 100%. Unconvinced because it seems to be nesting in a telephone pole and surely if that is the case, naturalists could ascertain for certain its existence. There is video evidence from Arkansas that seems to show a very good image of an IBW, yet I am unconvinced. There is a naturalist who is also very knowledgeable on the subject, that claims he observed one in Arkansas. Some of them also "believe" they have heard the call of an IBW, but again. But no photo or other evidence has been gathered as of yet. Members of his team "believe" they have witnessed an IBW from afar, flying by. He goes twice a year to a certain part of Florida with a team, to locate and verify the existence of the IBW. He is the former (now retired) President and CEO of the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. One of the worlds most knowledgeable experts on the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, just happens to be in my pigeon club. Heck, my best friend claims to have seen a ghost! There have been more sightings of Big Foot (should be called "Big Feet" I think), little grey aliens, and Elvis, than there have been of the IBW.
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