Field observations recorded July 14, 2026. Habitats Explored: Wet Prairie • Dry Sand Prairie • Oak Woodland • Oak Savanna Learning to Read a Landscape When I first pulled into Salamander Flats, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. The name immediately made me picture water—perhaps a marsh, a vernal pool, or at least a […]
Exploring Salamander Flats at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve Read Post »
If I could recommend one perennial for attracting pollinators in a Northwest Ohio garden, Virginia mountain mint would be near the top of the list. Despite its name, it isn’t a mountain plant in the way many people imagine. It naturally grows throughout much of eastern North America in prairies, open woodlands, meadows, woodland edges,
Habitats Featured: Backyard Habitat • Brush Pile • Silver Maple • Woodland Edge • House Wrens A Tiny Bird’s First Day Sometimes the smallest moments reveal the biggest lessons. I was watering one corner of my garden when I heard wrens calling nearby. It immediately caught my attention, so I looked up. One of the
The House Wrens That Chose My Backyard Read Post »
As my garden moves into midsummer, certain plants naturally begin to stand out. This year, one of those plants has been Culver’s root. I planted it last year, knowing it would likely spend its first season establishing roots before putting on much of a show. This summer, that patience has been rewarded. Growing in full
Field observations recorded June 20, 2026. Habitats Explored: Oak Savanna • Oak Woodland • Seasonal Wetlands • Sand Dunes • Prairie • Pond Some places don’t reveal themselves all at once Some parks greet you with sweeping overlooks, rushing water, or an abundance of wildlife. Lou Campbell State Nature Preserve takes a different approach. It
Exploring Lou Campbell State Nature Preserve: Patience Among the Oaks Read Post »
Field observations recorded June 18, 2026. Habitats Explored: Floodplain Forest • Oak Woodland • Oak Savanna • Riparian Creek Corridor • Seasonal Wetlands • Successional Thickets • Lowland Oxbow Depressions First Impressions There are places that feel preserved, as if time has slowed down long enough for nature to remain untouched. Swan Creek Metropark feels
Exploring Swan Creek: A Landscape Still Being Carved Read Post »
Field observations recorded June 17, 2026. Habitats Explored: River Gorge • Limestone Riparian Bluff • Floodplain Forest • Upland Hardwood Forest • River Edge Flats • Wet Meadow Patches • Historic Canal Corridor Habitat The First Thing I Noticed Was the Smell The first thing I noticed wasn’t a bird or a wildflower. It was
Exploring the Hidden Habitats of Side Cut Metropark Along the Maumee River Read Post »
My backyard is about an eighth of an acre. Technically, I don’t even own it. I rent it from someone who purchased the property years ago. There are property lines, legal documents, and county records that determine exactly where one person’s land ends and another begins. Maddie, the resident fox squirrel, doesn’t care about any
The Fox Squirrel Doesn’t Care About Property Lines Read Post »
If you’ve noticed small, bright yellow birds showing up in your yard late summer into fall, chances are you’re seeing American Goldfinches. They’re one of the most recognizable backyard birds in North America, and one of the most rewarding to attract. But what many people don’t realize is that goldfinches don’t just show up randomly.
Why Are Goldfinches in My Yard? (And How to Attract Them) Read Post »
One of the most common questions gardeners ask is: “What plants repel pests?” And while some herbs can influence insect behavior, the reality is usually more complicated than the internet makes it sound. There’s no magical plant that completely stops pests from showing up in your garden. But certain herbs can help reduce pest pressure
🌿3 Herbs That Help Reduce Pest Problems Naturally (And What Actually Works) Read Post »
