More than forty years ago, when I reached what my grandfather estimated to be the eve of puberty, I was summoned to spend the weekend with him at his house in rural Connecticut. I knew what to expect because my four older brothers had undergone … Read More

This is an extraordinary time to be a naturalist. By naturalist, I simply mean someone who is attuned to and enthusiastic about the natural world. Never before could the average person pick up an unfamiliar insect, flower, or mushroom and, without even leaving the forest, … Read More

It’s been a month since we became surrogate parents to seven little opossums whose mama was killed by our livestock guardian dogs. Since then we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes baby possums tick. Opossum babies, called joeys, can live for a time … Read More

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