Short Wave

Come critter spotting with us on a cold winter's night

January 19, 2026

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  • Certain lichens fluoresce neon colors under UV light as a protective response against sun damage, revealing hidden diversity on tree bark. 
  • The barred owl's call mnemonic is "who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?", and community science events like the City Nature Challenge encourage multi-generational participation in nature observation. 
  • The honey mushroom (*Quesophilum comune*), which can have up to 20,000 sexes, typically exhibits bioluminescence (foxfire) in the summer to attract nocturnal creatures for spore dispersal, but shuts down this energy-intensive process in winter. 

Segments

Night Hike Introduction
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(00:00:17)
  • Key Takeaway: The Short Wave episode features host Emily Kwong on a winter night hike in Patuxent River State Park, Maryland, guided by naturalists.
  • Summary: Host Emily Kwong introduces the premise of the episode: a late-night reporting trip focused on winter wildlife. The hike takes place in Patuxent River State Park in Maryland. The group is led by naturalists trained in environmental education.
Lichen Fluorescence Discovery
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(00:04:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Lichen, a symbiotic colony of fungi and algae, exhibits fluorescence under UV light, with different colors indicating different species like Pyxine subsinaria (yellow) and Pyxine seridiata (orange).
  • Summary: Lichen is identified as a hybrid colony of fungi and algae growing on trees. When exposed to UV light, certain lichens fluoresce, absorbing UV light and emitting visible light as a protective response against sun damage. Two species, one yellow and one orange, were specifically identified by their fluorescence.
Moth Attraction and Owl Calls
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(00:07:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Moths are attracted to mercury vapor lamps because they use celestial bodies for navigation, and barred owls can be called using the mnemonic “who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”
  • Summary: A sheet lit by mercury vapor lamps was used to attract various moths, which normally use the moon and stars to navigate. Naturalists use specific calls to elicit responses from territorial owls. The mnemonic for calling a barred owl is provided.
Community Science and Fungi Diversity
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(00:08:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Learning to identify local life forms deepens one’s relationship to the land, often facilitated by apps like iNaturalist and events like the four-day City Nature Challenge.
  • Summary: Community organizers promote nature observation through initiatives like the Great American Campout and the City Nature Challenge, a global species identification sprint around Earth Day. The iNaturalist app is a popular tool for documenting and identifying species. Identifying life forms is presented as a key way to deepen one’s connection to nature.
Salamander Adaptations and Fungi Sexes
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(00:11:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Eastern red-backed salamanders absorb oxygen through their skin and may burrow deep in winter for warmth and moisture, while the fungus Quesophilum comune possesses an astonishing 20,000 different sexes.
  • Summary: Eastern red-backed salamanders require moisture to absorb oxygen through their skin and may bury themselves deeply in winter near decaying roots for insulation. The fungus Quesophilum comune is noted for having approximately 20,000 sexes, far exceeding typical expectations. This fungus is described as very successful and abundant.
Bioluminescent Mushroom Search Conclusion
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(00:12:08)
  • Key Takeaway: The sought-after bioluminescent honey mushroom does not glow in winter, demonstrating an energy conservation adaptation by shutting down light production during the cold season.
  • Summary: The group located a honey mushroom, which normally produces green light (foxfire) in summer via bioluminescence to attract animals for spore dispersal. However, in winter, the mushrooms cease all bioluminescent activity. This lack of glow serves as a natural example of conserving energy when resources are scarce.