Going Woodcocking (And Making Memories)

Dave Anderson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

One of the rituals I shared with my children when they were growing up was stalking woodcocks during their spring courtship display. I guess I was sort of emulating a hero of mine named Aldo Leopold.

At twilight on April evenings, the woodcocks perform what naturalist Aldo Leopold described as "The Sky Dance" in an essay of the same title from his book A Sand Country Almanac, it's a sort of Bible for conservationists.

The Maligned Fisher

Chris Martin and Francie Von Mertens — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:11:26 +0000

The "fisher cat": ferocious predator of house cats whose bloodcurdling screams pierce the dark of night. Facts about this one wildlife species have mutated a long way into fiction. For starters, fishers are members of the weasel family—not feline. Properly referred to, they're "fishers," not "fisher cats."

Gifts for the Budding Naturalist

Chris Martin and Francie Von Mertens — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

As the year draws to a close, it's a great time to reflect on Rachel Carson's Silent Spring once more. 2012 marks the books 50th anniversary. The book encouraged many young naturalists and, with the holidays approaching, we've come up with two gifts to further one's love of nature: a pair of binoculars and a bird guide.

Local Farm-Raised Christmas Trees

Dave Anderson — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

According to the National Christmas Tree Growers Association, buying a natural, farm-grown Christmas tree is a traditional custom for up to 30 million American families who celebrate the holidays with the fragrance and beauty of locally-raised, farm-grown Christmas trees. Today, the majority of Christmas trees are plantation-grown. There are an estimated 350 million Christmas trees growing nationwide.

Azure Crescendo

Chris Martin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Generations ago, when people lived closer to the natural world, more outdoors than in, mild October days were called "bluebird weather. "The eastern bluebirds' gentle, quizzical notes were familiar and their distinctive habits recognized. A bluebird family remains together this time of year when most other bird species disperse. They favor field or open habitat, and typically perch on branches at field edge when they feed. Family members take turns dropping down to the ground then return to perch, one after another, most likely in pursuit of grasshopper or cricket.

Something Wild

Going Woodcocking (And Making Memories)

The Maligned Fisher

Gifts for the Budding Naturalist

Local Farm-Raised Christmas Trees

Azure Crescendo