Nature Moments

Nathaniel T. Wheelwright

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Galls, Cankers and Witch’s Brooms

April 9, 2018


Have you ever noticed tumor-like growths on plants? Fungi, insects, mites and bacteria are like “body snatchers,” penetrating plant cells and manipulating them to produce galls, cankers and witch’s brooms for the parasites’ benefit. Fortunately, most are benign.

Filed Under: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter Tagged With: April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, Plants, September

The Odd Thing About Mosses

March 30, 2018


Mosses are among the most ancient plants on earth, and their peculiar biology shows it. The lovely leafy green plant that all of us are familiar with? It has just half the normal number of chromosomes, like an egg or sperm!

Filed Under: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter Tagged With: April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, Plants, September

Keeping Your Own Nature Journal

March 9, 2018


Taking “forest baths” and recording your observations can be wonderful therapy for modern times. Here are some tips from acclaimed natural history writer Bernd Heinrich for keeping your own nature journal.

Filed Under: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter Tagged With: Animals, April, August, Birds, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, Plants, September

Fungi, The Original Recyclers

January 16, 2018


If it weren’t for fungi, dead trees might not decompose and nutrients would be locked up, unavailable for other plants and animals to use. You can easily find (and make art with) wood-rotting bracket fungi even in winter.

Filed Under: Fall Tagged With: December, February, Fungi, January, March, November

A Deer’s Day

December 14, 2017


Most mammals are only active after dark, so it’s harder to get to know them than, say, birds, which are active and conspicuous during the day. But you can figure out how mammals like white-tailed deer spend their time by noticing subtle signs of their behavior.

Filed Under: Fall Tagged With: December, January, Mammals, November

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Amphibians & Reptiles Animals April August Birds Bumblebee Climate Change December Environment February Flora Flowers Fungi Illustrations Insects Invertebrates Iris Irises January July June Ladyslippers Mammals March May Meadow Naturalist Nature Nature Moments November October Outdoors Plants September Spittlebug Summer Turtles

Acknowledgements

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