Stories

But those who fish the Rifle river, or any river, in September know a different story. The air is crisper, the river quieter.

It doesn’t take long before I see the first Monarch flutter by, its distinctive orange and black wings standing out against the blue sky.

Their eerie, haunting calls echoed only briefly through the stillness, a sound that was both beautiful and melancholy. A perfect reminder th

Despite its many benefits, goldenrod is often mistakenly blamed for causing allergies. The real culprit behind late summer and early fall ha

At first, I was puzzled by this change in color. The brown birds at my feeder looked so different that I wondered if I was seeing an entirel

That’s when I saw it – a large snapping turtle, half-submerged in the shallows, basking lazily in the morning sun. Its shell was encrusted w

The turkey moved with purpose, and soon, I realized why. It had discovered a patch of wild blueberries, the tiny berries hidden among the gr

Each July and August I collect seeds from the tickseed, which indeed do look like ticks, and then start them indoors each spring and plant t

Leaning over the edge of my kayak, I peer into the depths and spot numerous small depressions scattered across the sandy bottom. These are t

This post is part of a project in the works; " An Ogemaw County Year". The blog and eventually the book will encompass nature noticing,...

Explore the natural beauty of Ogemaw County through "An Ogemaw County Year," a project celebrating its diverse flora and fauna across the se

The American robin is most abundant songbird in North America. It was named the state bird of Michigan in 1931. Some robins spend the...

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a small songbird found throughout much of North America. It is gray-blue on top with a white belly and...

These birds are just about everywhere. From cities to suburbs to the peaceful pair in our forest, they are able to thrive in most...

This owl has a distinct presence with a round face and large yellow eyes.

The Great Horned Owl, scientifically known as Bubo virginianus, is a formidable predator that thrives in the varied landscapes of the...

The Barred Owl (Strix varia), is a resident of North American woodlands. It draws attention not only for its distinct appearance, but also

Contrary to its name, the Red-bellied Woodpecker sports a striking red cap on its head, while its belly, though tinted with a blush of pale

Hairy Woodpeckers are skilled foragers, primarily feeding on insects like wood-boring beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders found beneath

Pileated Woodpecker boasts a wingspan of up to 30 inches and can measure around 16-19 inches in length. Its prominent red crest, black body,