Possum up a ’simmon tree, The raccoon on the ground. The raccoon says, “You son of a gun, Shake them ’simmons down.” — Boil Them Cabbage Down (American Folk Song) Last Tuesday morning, when John went out to feed our animals … Read More
Our first interactions with wild predators took place in 1976, when we moved to our small farm in Michigan and bought a box of chicks at the local feed store. We learned very quickly that we weren’t smarter than a raccoon. Confronted on several mornings … Read More
Confession time: I love dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). I mean, let’s think about this little weed for a moment (and just a reminder: all herbs are weeds). First, the dandelion isn’t merely the first green of spring, but often also the first flower (I say this … Read More
BEETLES, FLIES, AND WASPS are thought to be the first pollinators, accidentally spreading pollen while feeding on flowers. This set the stage for more complex plant-pollinator relationships to evolve. Enter the Bees The widespread distribution of diverse flowering plants 100 million years ago coincided with … Read More
With school out for the summer, now is a great time for kids to dive into a good book. Why not spark their interest in a different type of summer reading and hand them an activity book? Not only will kids enjoy a little carefree … Read More
Some books start changing the world before they even leave the editor’s desk, and 100 Plants to Feed the Bees is a prime example. I’ve already learned that two garden plants I impatiently cut back every year — false indigo and spiderwort — … Read More
Water is essential to a butterfly, and any way it can be offered is good. Ponds, fountains, misters, or birdbaths will supply what rain and morning dew cannot. Here are a few ways to give visiting butterflies a place to stop and sip. Birdbaths Birdbaths … Read More
This time of year, hummingbirds are a highlight of backyards and gardens, darting furiously from feeder to flower. Colorful and feisty, these feathered pollinators are tiny dynamos, known to dive-bomb Bald Eagles, which weigh 1,600 times as much as they do. Here are a few … Read More
The arrival of May in my neighborhood means it’s time for our annual bird walk. My neighbors and I started it five years ago to acquaint ourselves with the birds and other wild things living in our yards and gardens and treetops. Now we’re better acquainted with … Read More
Picture this: six maple trees hanging upside down over your head, an inverted reality strung up over a stretch of green grass in a sea of pavement and industrial buildings. If you’ve ever been to the Storey offices or visited the