Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
Have you ever wondered what role birds have played in American literature? Well it turns out, quite a lot. That is why the Library of America, a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting, publishing, and providing readers with opportunities to engage in American writing, is hosting an online conversation with Olivia Gentile, poet Sidney... Continue Reading →
As we launch into this next week, I wanted to recap some of the news stories and events I came across last week. This is just a small sampling of all the work that is going on out there to help the earth and support our connection to nature. Each one of these stories is... Continue Reading →
Hummingbird at our feeder - June 09, 2021 My research this week have been focused on pollinators species and pollinator gardens. Hummingbirds, as it turns out, are also a vital part of the pollinator population. There are approximately 328 different species(1) of these amazing little birds, which are a part of the larger order of... Continue Reading →
One of the things I appreciate the most about the internet is that it allows me to connect and learn from people that I probably would have never met without it. For example, I now have a morning yoga practice because of several online yoga teachers, and my vegan cooking skills have skyrocketed as a... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: From the distant treesA melodic musicalA winter wren song I had recently heard a friend describe the Winter Wren song as the electric guitar solo of the bird world. I think that is a good description of their cascading, bubbly song that last anywhere between 5 - 10 seconds. Click the link below... Continue Reading →
When I was as a young boy there was this thing we did at night called a Snipe Hunt. A Snipe Hunt is where you headed into the woods after dark looking to see, or catch, a Snipe. Part of the challenge with this “hunt” was that no one knew what a Snipe was or... Continue Reading →
The crows have captured my attention this week. I have been noticing these birds a lot when I have been out in town or at my sit spot. Yesterday afternoon, as I was wandering through the woods enjoy the warm weather, I was jolted by the sound of a crow. This experience inspired me to... Continue Reading →
Getting to know the birds in your neighborhood is a great way to start connecting with nature. Bird watching has seen an increase in popularity during the pandemic and there are a lot of resources out there to get you started. Bird identification apps such as ibird Pro, or websites such as Audubon.org, can provide... Continue Reading →
I think the common grackle is anything but common. It is a medium sized black bird with yellow eyes. These birds are slightly larger than your common blackbird, at about 12 inches long, with a tapered bill and a glossy metallic look to their feathers. Photo: cwatts/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) Grackles are omnivorous birds and often... Continue Reading →
The Black-Capped Chickadee is a small songbird common to the Northern United States and Southern Canada. Its characteristic black cap and throat with white cheek makes it fairly easy to recognize. The Chickadee, who feeds on seeds, insects and spiders, can often be seen sharing its space with other small birds such as the Nuthatches... Continue Reading →
