One evening at a friend's house, my friend jumped up and flung open the patio door, and with great exasperation she asked, "Can someone please tell me what kind of crazy bird is that sings at night?” Stone-faced, the most senior woman in our midst answered: “A frog.”

Night sounds are tricky. Cicadas, crickets, foxes, owls, frogs, raccoons, coyotes, the occasional mockingbird can really enliven the darkest part of the day. But honestly, it is difficult to distinguish one critter from another.

Not long ago I was hearing a night call that sort of made the hairs on my arm stand up, and I just assumed it was an owl of some sort. I recorded it to play for one of the park rangers at Hungry Mother State Park, and she quickly fixed my assumption: it was a fox!

Practice makes perfect, and professionals perfect the practice. Hungry Mother State Park is known for doing wonderful education programs, some of which include nighttime Owl Prowls. If you think these well-informed interpreters will limit the education to owl calls, think again. While participants are gathered in the dark they have a chance to check out all sorts of chirrs, chirps, hoots, howls, buzzes, and barks. And they’re treated to having the best answer-people in the business at their beck and call.

Check the event listings for awesome upcoming educational events near you. Hungry Mother has a robust calendar of learning events year-round – which is especially great because the nighttime noises change with the season. So don’t be in the dark about what you’re hearing; come to the Park and be enlightened by a ranger!