This was a joint project between Christine and I last year. The falcon that is currently on the Vermont 'Endangered' license plate is apparently no longer in trouble according to the folks that make such decisions. The Burlington Free Press ran an art contest for ideas for the next plate.
Since she does a lot of work surveying native endangered mussels we thought this would make a cool plate. I did the Illustrator work and she provided biological consultation for accuracy. In case you are wondering. The thing hanging out of the mussel shell is designed to attract fish (natural lure if you will) to attack the mussel. These lures can look like minnows or other fish food sources. When attacked the mussel releases glochidia. The glochidia are sort of like larvae that are obligate parasites. Some of the glochidia will land on the fishes gills where they will develop for a period of time and then fall to the bottom and begin life as a free living mussel. The mussel is essentially fishing for host that will serve as a 'free' nursery for young developing mussels.The image was published in color in the paper, but Catamount was by far the most popular plate. I like the mountain lion, but there is debate as to whether any currently even inhabit the state of Vermont.
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