In this first StarDate Susitna of 2013, host Kathleen Fleming looks ahead to anticipated astro – events, including two new potentially bright comets.

sds 01-06-13

In this Year End edition of StarDate Susitna, Kathleen Fleming looks back at her favorite astro events of 2012, and forward to this weeks meteor shower.

sds 12-30-12

In this edition of StarDate Susitna Kathleen Fleming talks about the “Long Night Moon”, which planets can be seen, and possible explanations for the Christmas Star. sds 12-23-12

This week on Stardate Susitna Kathleen Fleming shares information about the Mayan Calendar, Winter Solstice and what’s up in the night skies in the Susitna Valley.

sds 12-16-12 solstice

On this week’s Earth and Beyond program, host and producer Robin Song learned about how birds’ eyes and metabolism are uniquely suited to their lives. Audio runs  about 7 minutes. Text follows. Photos by Robin Song.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

This is the time of year when I put up my bird feeders and help the winter birds make it through the tough times ahead. Watching the chickadees, red polls, woodpeckers, gray jays, magpies and ravens coming to the food I put out each day, I ponder the details of these amazing creatures. (more…)

In this week’s Earth and Beyond program, host and producer Robin Song introduces us to a couple new members of her family…ring-necked doves. Audio is about 7 minutes. Text follows. Photos by Robin Song.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

In early June this year an albino Ring-Necked Dove joined my family. I hadn’t planned on owning a dove, but when a friend called saying this young bird was in dire need of a home, I decided to say yes. (more…)

This week’s Earth and Beyond writer and producer, Robin Song, tells about some of the little rodents so important in the food chain of the northern latitudes. Audio runs about 5 minutes. Text follows audio.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Opening the lid on Jody’s grain bin one morning recently, a vole and I startled each other. (more…)

In this Earth and Beyond program, a flock of Bohemian Waxwings and a Bald Eagle sighting make for a special day. Robin Song is host, producer, and photographer. Text follows audio, which runs about five and a half minutes.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A walk along the Talkeetna River on November 7^th with friends, so our dogs could have a play date, turned out to be a day of extraordinary birding for me. (more…)

On this week’s Earth and Beyond program, host and producer Robin Song thinks about how wildlife might all follow the Number One Rule of Squirrels in getting ready for the coming season. Audio runs about 5 and a half minutes.  Photo by Robin Song. Text follows.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The change of seasons is certainly happening in dynamic fashion this year. The autumnal flooding in our area gave way to an early snow and early cold temperatures. The rains finally stopped and we experienced two full weeks of continual sunshine. With the early dusting of snow, the world turned into a fairy- land of frost crystals coating every twig and branch. The snow shimmered with rainbows and walks along Montana Creek to view the flood damage revealed amazing geometric patterns of ice and snow around the rocks along the shoreline. (more…)