Navigating the maze of conservation agencies
One of the frustrations of wildlife conservation is determining who's in charge. At the state level, state agencies are responsible for managing most wildlife...
Warbler numbers grow with habitat management
Among birders, Kirtland's warblers are a top priority. They are rare because they have very specific habitat requirements -- young jack pine forests five...
A hayfield stroll displays midsummer blooms
Most summer evenings, shortly before dark, my wife and I take a walk through the hay field on the highest point on our property....
A conversation with ornithologist and author
I met Bridget Stutchbury in the early 1980s at the University of Oklahoma Biological Station. I was teaching ornithology, and she was a...
Nature’s fireworks: Fireflies’ bioluminescence
The first firefly of the year appeared in my yard a month ago. As fireworks commemorate Independence Day, I’m reminded of the natural fireworks...
An unexpected Indigo treat is found
One of the unexpected treats of collecting the first blackberries of the season is stumbling upon an active bird nest. Bramble thickets are prime...
It’s been a strange year for ruby-throated hummingbirds
Some observers report more birds than ever. Other ask why none have returned. My experience has been equally confounding. I saw my first hummer...
A nature lover’s guide to a summer reading list
Whether your summer leisure time is spent on the beach, in the mountains, or on the back porch, a good book is a great...
Making environmentally friendly seafood choices
My wife and I dine out more often during the summer, especially when we’re on vacation. And for some reason, we favor the seafood...
Insects could be the answer to a nature deficit
“I like to play indoors better ’cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are.” Those words, by a fourth-grader in San Diego, are the...
