Stories

American robins are some of the earliest migratory birds to return in spring, often showing up while the world still feels locked in winter’

My eyes snap open, and I catch the flash of tawny fur darting between the still-bare brambles. A chipmunk!

Amidst the serene winter landscape, a small, vibrant figure appears—a flash of red against the white. It’s a young red squirrel, his russet

The chickadee lands on a branch near the back door, its bright eyes scanning the scene with keen intelligence.

I realize I have come face-to-face with a red fox. The creature, with its vibrant red fur and bushy tail, is a stunning sight against the ba

There, crouched regally on a moss-covered log and intent on something in the downed trees, is a bobcat.

Silhouetted against the darkening sky, a flurry of small, darting shapes emerges. Brown bats, their wings beating rapidly, swoop and flutter

Fascinated, I watch as a raccoon scrambles from the top of the feeder to the tree trunk with surprising agility in the moonlight.

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

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

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

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

Ruffed Grouse. Known scientifically as Bonasa umbellus, these birds captivate with their drumming displays and natural adaptation

Wild turkeys, often associated with Thanksgiving, are more than just a holiday symbol. They are an integral part of our ecosystem, and their

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, the American Woodcock, scientifically known as Scolopax minor, is a fascinating bird that thrives in...

Praying mantises belong to the insect family of Mantidae ("mantids"). All mantids have enlarged forelegs (“raptorial legs”) adapted for...

Gray tree frogs live in forested areas throughout the eastern United States and southern Ontario. They are about two inches long and have...

Wood frogs are found only in the United States and Canada. They are about three inches long and have bumpy skin that comes in several...