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, Animals, bird walk, bird your world, birding, christmas, christmas bird count, citizen science, Climate Change, ebird, Endangered Species, great backyard bird count, ornithology, populations, songbirds, The Art of Ecology, 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, Wild Edibles Tags: botanical cocktails, botany, conifer, evergreen, forage, foraging by season, foraging etiquette, Gardening, Health, medicinal plants, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology, 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 …
Tags: aquaponics, diy, Gardening, houseplant, hydroponics, indoor gardening, natural living, plant care, plant therapy, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology, 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: Backyard Habitats, birds, conservation Tags: Animals, backyard habitat, bird seed, calories, food, Gardening, native plants, Plants, protein, Seasons, songbirds, The Art of Ecology, 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 Tags: Flowers, Gardening, green living, herbs, houseplant, native plants, overwintering, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology, 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 …
Tags: Adaptations, cold, crocus, Flowers, Gardening, metabolism, nature, Plants, Seasons, skunk cabbage, snow, snow drops, spring, The Art of Ecology, thermogenesis, warm-blooded, wildflowers, winter
Fungi in 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! …
Category: conservation, Gardening, Plants, Seasons, The Art of Ecology Tags: decomposer, ecology, ecosystem, fungi, fungus, Gardening, interconnection, mold, mushrooms, mycology, nature, nutrients, parasite, Plants, science, Seasons, spores, The Art of Ecology, trees, winter
We always think of birds as migrating south for the winter (wish I could too!), but obviously, some birds do stick around. There are many bird adaptations to the cold to allow them to stick around chilly Pennsylvania! How do Birds Adapt to the Cold? Birds adapt in many ways that are similar to humans. …
Category: Adaptations, Animals, birds, Seasons, The Art of Ecology, Wildlife Behavior Tags: Adaptations, Animals, bird feeding, cardinal, chickadee, cold, ecology, education, photography, Seasons, songbirds, sparrow, The Art of Ecology, weather, wildlife, Wildlife Behavior, winter