Wildlife

This past summer, a colony of bald-faced wasps took up residence right next to my garage door. Because I know how beneficial wasps are, I decided to leave it alone. …

We all remember making pine cone bird feeders as kids, whether it was at home or school. But did you know these easy and inexpensive feeders are actually an excellent …

If this is your first year feeding hummingbirds, first of all, welcome to the club. They’re pretty great, right? But as summer turns to autumn, you’ve likely begun to notice …

While weeding the other day, I had the welcome distraction of a fat bumblebee foraging nearby for nectar and pollen. Among the sea of blue violets that is my lawn, …

There are folks who feed the birds, and then there are folks who feed hummingbirds. I know quite a few people who have hummingbird feeders but not seed feeders. That’s …

Bears on the homestead is a unique problem to have, but a challenging one too. These predators are big, strong, scary, and can be incredibly persistent. If you have bears …

As summer fades and autumn takes center stage, big changes start happening in the world of our feathered friends. Some species prepare for migration and take flight, while others get …

For many backyard bird watchers, feeders sit empty during the summer months. But for birders in the know, this is a great time of year to attract birds to your …

What could be better than a beautiful dragonfly zooming about the garden to brighten your day? Well, a flight of dragonflies or a static swarm has been known to top …

A century ago, bluebirds experienced a steep decline due to habitat loss. We’re lucky to have them with us still today. Before our contemporary understanding of ecology, narrow management goals …

Attracting ladybugs to your garden is one way to maintain diversity and manage it organically. Organic gardening always involves recognizing that we are not alone in our gardens. Successful gardens …

Can you automatically recall, with a shiver down your spine, the sound of an object flying straight into your living room window? The thud, followed by the drop, and the …

Ask any child over seven, and I’ll bet they can tell you what plant the Monarch butterfly eats. At 43 years old, I still remember learning about the Monarch butterfly’s …

There’s nothing worse than putting out a fresh feeder full of birdseed and, moments later, looking up to see this guy staring back at you. What was supposed to be …

Setting up suet feeders is a great way to attract birds to your backyard. With their high metabolic rates, these tiny creatures need high-fat food content. Think of how quickly …

There was a time when birdwatching was a hobby strictly for our grandparents and the serious ornithologist. But, like many things, the pandemic changed all that. While we were stuck …

As a backyard bird enthusiast, I’m sure you’ve stood at your window, watching a handful of birds nibbling away at your feeder, only to see them scatter when a squawking …

Every Christmas, it seems we all receive at least one card with a familiar scene on it. There’s a snow-covered tree or branches, sometimes with glitter, and amid the white …

A thriving garden ecosystem is like a world in miniature. Right under our noses, there’s a constant struggle for survival going on. Between battles for food and territory, mating rituals …

From sun up to sun down, bees are doing important work for the health and safety of the hive. Foraging bees will travel up to 5 miles from the colony …

You are soon to discover that as enchanting as No Mow May is, it’s about so much more than beauty or helping the bees. Though for those two reasons alone, …

Butterflies are among the most appealing insects found in nature. As indispensable members of the beneficial insect crew, butterflies are essential pollinators that pick up tiny grains of pollen on …

Would you invite an owl to your garden party? If so, it’s time to add a new item to your checklist of gardening chores: how to create an “owl-friendly yard”. …

For decades the pursuit of the perfectly manicured lawn has consumed many a sunny weekend. Nary a dandelion could be found on the immaculate green carpet spread out in front …