Tropical rainforests: What makes them special?

 Tropical rainforests capture people’s imagination as exotic, mysterious natural places. They conjure up images of hanging vines, colorful birds, big cats, huge flowers, and areas vibrant with life. But what makes a tropical rainforest...

What to do if you find a bird nest at your house

While you can enjoy backyard birds year round, the warmer seasons give a more intimate window into their lives. For resident and migratory songbirds, Spring and Summer are the peak times for breeding. This can mean birds nesting around y...

How does climate change affect wildlife?

Experts consider climate change to be one of the biggest threats to the environment. But understanding the links between a changing climate and things like species extinctions can be difficult. How can changing weather patterns have such...

What’s the difference between millipedes and centipedes?

When people send me photos of creepy crawlies for identification, I often see some usual suspects. Among the most common invertebrates that people encounter in gardens and households are millipedes and centipedes. After I have explained ...

17 amazing nature facts about bats

One of my favorite things about summer nights is spotting bats against the evening sky. Although people often give them a bad rap, bats are helpful and important parts of the natural world. They also make up a large and diverse group of ...

7 ways that being outside boosts brain power

So far, my post series on Nature and Health covered ways that nature makes us healthier. It can protect our bodies from disease and improve out mental health. However, immersion in nature does more than just prevent problems. It can also...

12 tips on how to do a sit spot

One of the best lessons that time in nature can teach us is that life can’t always be “go, go, go”. In fact, often times slowing down is crucially important to connecting with the outdoors. Sit-spots are a popular and highly effective pr...

Why do birds fly South in the Winter?

Nature is filled with seasonal changes. Every year, predictable events happen like the first wildflowers blooming that signal particular seasons. One of the most familiar for many people is the arrival of many new backyard birds in Sprin...

8 insect orders every nature lover should know

Bugs are everywhere in the natural world, and their variety can be overwhelming for beginner naturalists. However, learning a few basics can go a long way in making sense of them. What’s more, becoming familiar with insects unlocks a w...

How to attract songbirds to your backyard

Birds bring joy and color to any environment. This is especially true in our gardens and backyards, where they make for entertaining wildlife-viewing. Backyard birds make excellent neighbors. They can feed on pest insects, help us relax ...

Do lobsters really mate for life?

Has anyone ever told you that you’re their lobster? After an episode from the second season of the famous sitcom Friends, lobsters have been an unexpected symbol of true love. In episode 14, Phoebe tells Ross that his love for Rachel i...

The 12 most common bird calls in movies and TV

Wildlife sounds like birdsong are common background sounds in our everyday lives. In fact, they make such a good ambience for natural spaces that they are often used to simulate the outdoors. This is especially true in movies and on TV, ...