Bees and flowering plants have been co-evolving for tens of millions of years, shaping each other’s physical forms, behaviors, and futures.
The Secret Lives of Bees: Inside the Hidden Work of Pollination Read More »
On Liddie, Lovelace, and Ocean Pollution — and 10 Tips to Reduce Plastic Use
Plastics in the Ocean and Liddie the Seal Read More »
If you’ve ever wandered through a forest and spotted an oddly-shaped, bulbous growth protruding from a tree trunk, you’ve encountered a fascinating oddity called a burl.
The Secret Life of Tree Burls Read More »
One year ago, with a mix of excitement and trepidation, I launched “From Flora to Fauna.” Twelve months, eight posts, and countless moments of awe later, I’m reflecting on a year of learning, growth, and a deeper connection to the wild.
I jumped as something crashed in the shadowy woods nearby. Bear? Nope, just acorns. So, so many acorns this year! But why?
On Abundant Acorns and Bumps in the Night Read More »
“Oh, you have touch-me-nots in your garden!” said a recent visitor to our house. “I should say so!” I answered, hearing only the “touch-me-not”. Okay, maybe I only thought that. Turns out she was talking about the jewelweed by our door, a ‘weed’ that has a number of names but even more benefits, especially for our pollinators.
This Place is Going to the Weeds – and Making Pollinators Happy Read More »
I’ve been thinking a lot about praying mantises. Yes, it’s true! Somewhat odd, I guess, rather unexpected, but true. I’m decidedly in awe of their hunting abilities and strangely adorable faces. But that’s not why I’ve been thinking about them lately. It’s all my son’s fault.
Praying Mantises – Friend or Foe? Read More »
I stood spellbound, watching the images pop up on the back of my camera. A tweak of the settings here, a shift of the tripod there, another *click* — and up popped another wondrous image of this magical, miraculous moment. I stood outside under a dark, slightly cloudy sky, craning my head back and back,
Aurora Awe – or How I Overcame Inertia to Go Look at the Night Sky Read More »
As the snow melts and the days get longer, there’s another sign of spring that might not be as cheery as blossoming flowers or chirping birds: the return of Turkey Vultures. Often overlooked and sometimes even shunned for their scavenging habits, Turkey Vultures play a vital role in our ecosystems and have some fascinating traits
Turkey Vultures: Not-So-Cheery (but still amazing!) Harbingers of Spring Read More »
Valuing the Journey, Not Just the Destination I stood on the trail alone, holding my camera and scanning the trees, listening carefully. I could hear birds in the distance, a crow calling sharply, a titmouse’s high-pitched peeps. But I heard nothing closer; saw no birds in the branches and bushes around me. I savored the
Letting Go of Goals Read More »
