Wildlife

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 …

The ability to weave your own baskets is one of the many self-reliant skills that you shouldn’t be missing out on. Why? Because basket weaving requires few tools, making it …