For myself, I find that as the summer turns into fall and the fall gives way to winter, my photography switches from primarily pollinators and lush green plants to the textures of dying flower seed heads and birds! Birds hang around my garden, flit through the tree farm in my backyard, and of course the …
Category: Animals, birds, Climate Change, conservation, Endangered Species, Special Conservation Designated Events, The Art of Ecology Tags: #BringBirdsBack, bird walk, bird your world, birding, birds, christmas, christmas bird count, citizen science, conservation, ebird, great backyard bird count, ornithology, populations, songbirds, winter, winter bird feeding, winter birds
As the vibrant fall foliage fades and the trees are left bare, a certain type of tree stands out amongst the gangly, naked maples and oaks – Evergreens! The greens and blues of their needles provide a welcome burst of color in a now grey and brown world. Other than just providing a welcome splash …
Category: DIY Creations, Gardening, Health, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology, Wild Edibles Tags: botanical cocktails, botany, conifer, evergreen, forage, foraging by season, foraging etiquette, medicinal plants, trails to tasting, wild edible, winter, winter landscape, winter plants
As an avid gardener who loves nothing more than to stick my hands in the warm soil and making sure that the plants provide a great space for wildlife, I have SUCH a hard time in the winter! I’ve overwintered my perennials, spread out leaves, and keep a careful eye out for little buds to …
Category: Gardening, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology Tags: aquaponics, diy, Gardening, houseplant, hydroponics, indoor gardening, natural living, plant care, plant therapy, Plants, winter
Birds are amazing – and if you read my previous winter bird blog, you’ll know that birds can definitely take care of themselves, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t feed them and give them a little help! After all, just because I can cook for myself and know how to grow a veggie garden …
Category: Animals, Backyard Habitats, birds, conservation, Gardening, Plants, The Art of Ecology Tags: backyard habitat, bird seed, birds, calories, food, native plants, protein, Seasons, songbirds, winter, winter bird feeding, winter birds
If you’re a gardener, you understand how much time and effort you put into your plants and hate seeing it go to waste come winter! Fortunately, there are ways to keep your beauties alive, even if they’re not winter hardy! The best way to keep your tender garden plants alive is to bring them inside. …
Category: Backyard Habitats, Flowers, Gardening, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology Tags: Flowers, Gardening, green living, herbs, houseplant, native plants, overwintering, Plants, winter, zones of hardiness
About this time (maybe even earlier!) each year, I start missing the sunshine and heat like crazy! Fortunately, nature’s got my back and I can get my “spring fix” even during the last dreary winter days. A few flowers get tired of the grey like I do and do something about it; they heat up …
Category: Adaptations, Flowers, Gardening, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology Tags: Adaptations, cold, crocus, Flowers, metabolism, nature, Plants, Seasons, skunk cabbage, snow, snow drops, spring, thermogenesis, warm-blooded, wildflowers, winter
Typically, we think of winter as a time for plants and animals to go dormant and settle down. Really there are hundreds of thousands of organisms growing during these cold, wet, dreary months! During the winter, we can go out and see so many different types of (drum roll, please…) – FUNGUS! Did you know …
Category: conservation, Gardening, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology Tags: decomposer, ecology, ecosystem, fungi, fungus, interconnection, mold, mushrooms, mycology, nature, nutrients, parasite, Plants, science, spores, trees, winter
We always think of birds as migrating south for the winter (wish I could too!), but obviously, some birds do stick around. These birds are able to adapt to the colder temperatures and can find enough food to stick around chilly Pennsylvania! Birds adapt in many ways that are similar to humans. They eat yummier …
Category: Adaptations, Animals, birds, Seasons, The Art of Ecology, Wildlife Behavior Tags: Adaptations, Animals, bird feeding, birds, cardinal, chickadee, cold, ecology, education, photography, Seasons, songbirds, sparrow, weather, wildlife, winter