What is nest parasitism?

All living things need to accomplish two things to keep the natural world running: (1) they need to survive, and (2) they need to reproduce. There are lots of amazing and bizarre examples of adaptations to solve the first problem. For ex...

What is a life cycle?

Getting to know your natural world can be like learning a new language. Nature experts like scientists and naturalists use all sorts of words that may not be familiar to readers. Learning some of these words can go a long way in building...

An 8-step guide on how to identify bugs in your house or yard

Invertebrates like spiders, insects, centipedes, and worms are some of the most abundant and diverse living things on Earth. While many people might find them hard to love, these “creepy-crawlies” help keep our planets ecosystems ticking...

Why do mushrooms grow so fast?

Fungi are among the most fascinating and mysterious living things in nature. Neither plant nor animal, their ways of life can be hard to understand, and seem counterintuitive. I tend to see this in the types of questions I get from reade...

How to keep a Nature Journal

Have you ever kept a nature journal? The nature journal is one of the best tools for naturalists of all experience levels. They are a great place to record your adventures, observations, and reflections on the natural world. If you are s...

13 wild owl facts

While I get frequent requests for bird posts, one group of birds has recently been the top. Owls are a fascinating and in some ways mysterious group of raptors that has captured peoples’ cultural imagination for millennia. It’s about tim...

6 incredible carnivorous plants

Nature is filled with “exceptions to the rule”. Whenever we think we know something about the natural world, we are confronted with oddballs that break the mold. Carnivorous plants do precisely that. Although you may be familiar with the...

What’s the difference between frogs vs. toads?

Frogs and toads are exciting animals to come across in the wild. Although widespread, they can be hard to find, but are cute and entertaining for nature lovers of all ages. I love coming across these critters on nature walks for the many...