Selected NatureWatch Features by Topic
BIRDS
Desert Sparrow
Meet a happy desert camper who can withstand hot, dry conditions.
Purple Martin Homes
Purple Martins have come to depend on manmade birdhouses for nesting.
Snowy Egrets
These graceful birds display some fancy footwork when hunting for food.
Mockingbird Attack
This aggressive bird is known to dive-bomb intruders.
Elegant Trogon
Meet an elegant bird that brightens up the southern Arizona landscape with its beautiful plumage.
Sunbathing Birds
Sunbathing is more than a pleasant pastime for many birds.
Birds and Cars
Surprisingly, your car can be quite attractive to some birds.
Night Hunting of Owls
Barn owls are well equipped to hunt in the dark.
Unusual Bird Names
We use a number of interesting – and sometimes comical – terms to describe groups of birds.
Hummingbird Bathing
Hummingbirds relish both a good shower and a good bath.
Stellar's Jay
This resident of the western forest seems to enjoy hearing the sound of its own voice.
Territory Size
Most birds stake out and then defend the territory they call home.
Bird Temperatures
Birds’ temperatures vary from bird to bird and from day to night.
Kids and Birdwatching
An early introduction to birds can lead to a healthy respect for nature.
Mockingbird Dance
A unique “border dance” is one way that the mockingbird stakes out its territory.
Yellow-Headed Blackbird
When it comes to attracting attention, one bird has all the goods.
Bird Feet
Bird feet range from webbed toes to sharp-clawed talons.
Whip-poor will Feeding
Whip poor wills can be seen at twilight, swooping and diving in pursuit of flying insects.
Chimney Swift
Checked your chimney lately? You may be unwittingly sheltering a family or two—up the flue.
Kern Valley Vultures
Birders gather in California’s Kern River Valley to assess turkey vulture migration through the southern Sierra Nevada.
Dummy Nests
A male wren builds up to a dozen nests, inviting a prospective mate to choose the one she likes best.
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl’s vision and hearing make this bird a lethal hunter.
Grebe Dances
Courting grebes dance energetically if they like each other.
Pigeons
Pigeons are believed to be the first birds ever domesticated, and have been helping humans for thousands of years.
Butcher Birds
In spite of its whistled calls and songs, the loggerhead shrike often behaves more like a bird of prey than a songbird.
How to Eat a Seed
Different birds use a variety of techniques to crack open a seed and get to the kernel inside.
Oyster Catcher
A flock of hungry birds is busily prying open shellfish along the Atlantic shore. Meet a bird that can shuck oysters better than a clam bar prep chef.
Ruddy Duck
People often celebrate romantic moments with a glass of champagne. Courting ducks do not indulge in spirited beverages, but one duck does create some bubbly stuff.
Attracting Birds
People can attract a wide variety of birds to their yard if they provide the four elements birds need to survive.
Pebble Poachers
Adelie penguins, who build nests of stones, often try to steal particularly nice stones from their neighbors' nests.
Aerial Combat
In turbulent aerial battles, black-chinned hummingbirds fight for the succulent nectar found in saguaro cactus blossoms.
Scarlet Tanager
The male scarlet tanager’s plumage dazzles females during courting season, but it doesn’t last long!
Avian Contractor
The male house wren pulls out all the stops in his effort to find a mate and settle down.
Hidden Food
It seems that some birds have a talent for finding hidden food. But they probably don’t just rely on luck.
Avian Merlin
The Merlin is a medium-sized member of the Falcon family.
Intelligent Crows
The expression “bird-brained” is used to describe someone of less than average intelligence. But users of this phrase may need to do some homework when it comes to crows.
Crow vs Raven
The American crow bares a strong resemblance to its cousin, the common raven. Here’s how you can tell the two apart.
Horned Lark
The only lark species found in North America, the horned lark is characterized by its enchanting habit of singing on the wing.
Red-Eyed Vireo
A tribute to one of summer’s star singers, the red-eyed vireo.
Double-Crested Cormorant
The double-crested cormorant is a large, black water bird.
Solitary Sandpiper
The solitary sandpiper has a unique world perspective—at least, among other sandpiper species.
Migrating Swallows
Autumn is the time to watch birds migrating South, and swallows form some of the biggest flocks of all.
Marsh Hawks
Fall is a great time to observe all the activity in your local wetlands. Birds are especially busy as they migrate to warmer climates.
Puffin Nests
Each year Puffin pairs return to their old nests or dig new ones.
Gulls
The gulls we see most commonly are very adaptable. They do well in urban areas where they nest in any isolated, flat area.
Black Rail
Members of the Avian Rail family are well known for their secretive habits.
Wild Turkey
North America’s largest game bird, the wild turkey, was once so widespread it was considered for the U.S. national emblem.
Dunlin
The Dunlin is one of the smallest shorebirds, but it has a big talent for flight.
Bird Eggs
Birds are not the only animals that lay eggs, but all birds do lay eggs. And their variety is greater than the eggs in any Easter basket.
Golden-Crowned Kinglet
It takes a careful eye to spot the golden-crowned kinglet. This bird is so tiny that it’s often heard but not seen.
Winter Warblers
In the dead of winter, most birds are gone from the colder climes. But some delicate myrtle warblers may over-winter even way up north.
Bald Eagle - Winter Breeding
We usually think of bird mating and breeding as springtime activities, but one population of Bald Eagles breeds in the winter.
Common Woodpeckers
Even though few birds have more potential for destruction than the common woodpecker, conflicts with these wood-drilling noisemakers are few and far between.
Starlings
Though not native to North America, Starlings are now so numerous here that they have become a serious problem in some areas.
House Finches
The well-named house finch is known for nesting near homes and hanging out at backyard feeders. But their lifestyle once was very different.
Nest Fauna
Nests are homes for avian families, but smaller animals sometimes take up residence in the cracks and crevices.
Mixed Flocks
“Birds of a feather flock together,” but at certain times of year, birds of a different feather may also end up together.
Winter Robin
The robin has long been considered the harbinger of spring, yet in many parts of North America, this well-known bird may be spotted year-round.
Parrots
Other than their ability to “speak” human words, the most amazing thing about parrots may be their bright and diverse colors.
Crows at Home
The American Crow is one of the most adaptable birds in the world. From the wide-open prairies in the west to the wooded areas in the northeast, it can be found all over the U.S.
Birdseed Preferences
Feeding the birds this winter? Here are some ideas for what to include on the menu.
Sapsucker Drumming
The drumming a woodpecker uses to maintain territory and attract a mate can help us identify him.
Shakespeare's Starling
America’s wild world was changed forever when a Shakespeare enthusiast introduced a European bird into New York City.
French Fry Birds
Fast-food restaurants attract more than people looking for a quick meal; they also attract birds.
Redwing Badge
When an officer flashes a badge, we submit to the higher authority. Some birds use a similar signal to establish rank.
Sleeping Ducks
Birds need to sleep just like people do, but they also need to stay on the alert for predators.
Frightmolts
In cartoons, we sometimes see scared birds jumping right out of their feathers. As it turns out, this actually happens.
Nuthatch
This bird maneuvers through branches and leaves with an acrobatic flair.
Racing Pigeons
This highly-trained aerial athlete sometimes flies in high stakes races.
Feeder Maintenance
We’ll have some tips for keeping a clean and healthy bird feeder.
Valentines From Birds
Although they can’t send cards or candy, birds possess a wide repertoire of interesting courtship strategies.
Feather Structure
The construction of feathers is very complex - all the pieces fit together to form a Velcro-like mesh.
Acorn Woodpecker
These industrious birds stash a supply of acorns and nuts in holes in trees and poles.
Day Active Owls
Most owl species are nocturnal hunters, but there are some smaller types that do their best work under the sun.
Sparrows
This group of small, fluttering brown and white birds isn't a true "family.”
Ruffed Grouse
To attract a mate, the ruffed grouse male stands on a log, leans back on its fanned tail, and beats the air with its wings.
Winter Feeding
During winter, birds have to withstandharsh conditions and frigid temperatures. Instead of feeding the fireplace, they stoke their body furnace with food.
Northern Pine Siskin
This finch species is a bird of erratic habits.
Avian Pirates
Some birds are known for bullying tactics such as chasing smaller birds and stealing a hard-won catch from them in mid-air.
Golden Eagle
With its awesome seven-foot wingspan, the golden eagle is every bit as powerful and fearless as its cousin, the bald eagle.
Robin Nesting
Robins can hatch and raise a batch of young so quickly that they often have two or three sets of chicks in two months.
Eastern Goshawk
Second to none among the hawks of North America, this strong hunter will attack medium-sized birds on the wing.
Bird Banditos
Robins are so highly skilled at snaring earthworms that other birds sometimes stalk them and steal the robin’s catch.
Roost Turkey
After a long day of feeding on the ground, wild turkeys take to the trees. But it's no haphazard affair.
Hunting by Ear
The common barn owl hunts its prey by sound--by ear and not by eye.
Crows: Pros and Cons
When it comes to human reactions, one creature doesn’t have much to crow about.
Spring Hawk Migration
Hawks find it easier to travel over land than water because of the land's warm air currents or "thermals."
Fledglings
When feathers replace down, birds are ready to try a first flight, but some birds leave the nest even before they can fly.
Precocial Young
Though many bird hatchlings are helpless, precocial types are on the go almost from day one.
Nesting Materials
From bare earth to a mixture of mud and dung, birds use an incredible array of materials to build and decorate nests.
Cedar Waxwing
This bird has unique secondary feathers that look like they’re tipped with red wax.
Sandhill Cranes
These birds can now be seen in abundance along the Platte River in Nebraska as part of their annual migration to Northern Canada.
Bombastic Courtship
Male prairie chickens congregate in a special place to strut, twirl, stamp, and boom in an elaborate mating display.
Birds Without Nests
Many birds, such as whip-poor-wills and least terns, don't build a nest at all. They lay their eggs on the ground.
Drab Duds
Although some male birds come dressed in plain packaging, they often produce some of the most beautiful of all avian songs.
Lazuli Bunting
This member of the finch family is known for its exquisite plumage.
Bain du Soleil
You aren’t the only one who likes to catch a few rays – birds also enjoy sunbathing.
Sky Acrobatics
To capture the attention of females, male birds put on some incredible aerial displays.
Choosing a Mate
When a female sage grouse selects a mate, she has the luxury of a line-up.
Song Serenade
Why do birds sing so much in the springtime?
Hanging Nest
A Baltimore Oriole’s nest seems to hang almost in thin air.
Birds and Baseball
People aren’t the only ones who like to attend an evening baseball game.
Preening Process
Learn how birds keep their flight equipment ready for take-off.
Cleanup Baby
After bird babies hatch, their parents must quickly dispose of the shells and fecal sacs.
Feeding Instinct
In birds, feeding is a very strong, dependable instinct.
Martin Landlords
A purple martin house can be compared to an apartment house – with many tenants and one martin “landlord.”
American Woodcock
American Woodcocks woo their mates at twilight.
Willow Ptarmigan
This small arctic grouse, which changes its plumage from brown to white to suit the season, is the state bird of Alaska.
Trash Compactors
To save space, some birds dispose of solid waste much like some households compact their trash.
Thin as a Rail
Thisbird uses secrecy for protection so well that many people never even notice it.
Fledgling Found
A baby bird that looks abandoned is most likely a fledgling whose parents continue to feed and defend the young bird.
Killdeer Nesting
When its nest is threatened, the female killdeer will attempt to lead the predator away by pretending to be hurt.
Whippoorwill
Calling once per second, and often 50 to 100 times in a row, the whippoorwill’s song is constant.
Snipe
This secretive bird lives in the dense vegetation of marshes, and has an atypical courtship display.
Hummingbird Feeders
A feeder containing a simple homemade mixture of sugar and water is all you'll need to attract these tiny birds.
Helpless Nestlings
Songbirds like robins and bluebirds produce altricial offspring: blind, featherless, and helpless.
Barn Swallow
A barn swallow’s nest locale of choice is a ledge or beam inside a barn or other human-built structure.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Some birds are noted for their wingspan, plumage, or song. This bird is known for its graceful aerobatics.
Seeing Red
For a baby gull, seeing red can be the beginning of a satisfying experience.
Pecking Order
Birds that flock together and share common sources of food establish certain rules of social conduct. One of these rules is called “the pecking order.”
White Ibis
The white ibis is one of the most numerous wading birds in Florida.
Syrinx
Birds produce a wide variety of sounds, from sweet songs to chirps to squawks, with the use of a vocal organ called the syrinx.
Brown Creeper
If you have ever seen tree bark that seems to move of its own accord, you may have spotted the well-camouflaged brown creeper.
Where do birds go at night?
Everyone needs a good night's sleep after a long, hard day - even birds.
Winter Wren Facts
This small songbird is the source of the longest and most complex bird song in North America.
Woody Woodpecker
One of the biggest and most spectacular woodpeckers is also a familiar face.
Indigo bunting
Male birds are almost always more colorful than females, but one finch-like bird really shines in comparison to his drab mate.
Common Murre
Not all birds forage the same way. Many take to the sky, but the Murre is one bird that makes its living underwater.
Black-Crowned Night Heron
While other birds are getting some sleep, this bird searches for a midnight feast.
Long-Tailed Jaeger
This bird is as comfortable in the ocean as humans are on land.
Birds and Spider Webs
One feathered thief likes to steal food from spiders - sometimes, to its detriment.
MAMMALS
Chipmunks
We’ll provide a window into the life of this small creature.
August Whales
This the best time of year to watch whales off New England’s coast.
Squirrel Den
Come visit the home of this common forest resident.
Mousy Muskrat
Despite its name, the muskrat is not a true rat. It is a large field mouse that has adapted to aquatic life.
Don't Feed the Animals
We see the signs prominently displayed in park areas across North America: “Please don’t feed the animals.” There's good reason.
Autumn Moose
Moose are generally quiet creatures—gentle giants of North America's northern forests. But beware of the moose in love.
Chipmunk Chatter
This autumn, keep both an eye and an ear open for the antics of chipmunks.
Otter Foraging
These mammals find the shellfish they crave by feeling around rocks and between crevices on the ocean bottom.
Going to Bat for Bats
The University of Florida's stadium was home to thousands of bats until officials there devised a relocation plan.
Beaver Building
One aquatic animal does such fine construction work that even human builders consider their skills impressive.
Kaibab Squirrel
Walk softly through the forests of the Grand Canyon’s north rim. You may spot a squirrel that’ll make you look twice.
Armored Armadillo
People have long protected vulnerable parts with hard, shell-like coverings—emulating the many shelled creatures observed in nature, such as the naturally armored mammal—the armadillo.
Wild Boar
Believe it or not, in some states wild boars are the most powerful wild animals around.
Arctic Fox
In spite of its remote habitat, this fox bears strong family resembles to other members of its family.
Moles
If you have a nice green lawn, you may hate the thought of moles--those little mammals that burrow underground--but they do have some admirable qualities.
Beach Mice
Beachfront property is highly sought after—and not just by people. Some rodents feel at home only in seaside dunes.
Minks
Minks are often raised on farms for the fur trade, but many can still be found in the wild, in marshy areas throughout much of the country.
Polar Bear Cubs
The bear cubs are born in a den in the middle of winter, but the family doesn’t come out to explore until spring.
Red Wolf Returns
Over the past 10 years, red wolves have been reintroduced to the Smoky Mountains through a captive breeding program.
Beaver Comeback
Many decades ago, beavers faced extinction, hunted for their pelts and meat. Today, they can be found in most areas of the United States and in Canada.
Striped Skunk
The skunk has one of the stinkiest reputations in the animal world. But this much-maligned creature can be beneficial to humans.
Imported Nutria
The Nutria is an aquatic rodent native to parts of South America. So what is it doing in the U.S. Gulf states?
Mountain Sheep
Skilled climbers are often compared to mountain goats. But have you ever heard anyone say, “She’s as sure-footed as a mountain sheep?”
Small-Clawed Otter
The smallest otter species in the world, the small-clawed otter inhabits the waterways of Southeast Asia.
Muskrat Design
With dense fur, large webbed feet and sharp teeth, this small rodent is well designed for life in its semi-aquatic habitat.
Baleen Whales
These large mammals with big appetites capture the tons of food they require with a unique filtering mechanism.
Northern Nevada River Otter
The Northern River Otter survives on its own except in the vast stretches of desert in northern Nevada, where it needs a helping hand from a fellow river dweller.
American Bison
Herds of bison thundering over the plains symbolize the American west, but they actually have a specific purpose in the route they take.
Sea Lions
Some animals are solitary types, but other animals, like the sea lion, are quite sociable.
Talking Apes
Some apes have been trained to communicate – what does this mean in terms of the animal’s thought processes?
Red Squirrels
This little animal leaves little to chance when it comes to its winter food supply.
Porcupine Defense
For an animal in the wild, the porcupine lives a long time. The secret lies in its defense strategy.
Prairie Dogs
In the Western flatlands the commonly sighted prairie dog standing upright beside his burrow is actually a sentinel who reports from the field back to the burrow.
Wolf Pack
Both wolf parents watch over their offspring, but other members of the pack often help to feed, protect, and educate pups.
Galloping Gait
This method of motion involves moving four feet in a very fast action, but not all animals that gallop use the same style.
Otter Grooming
The sea otter spends a great deal of time grooming its fur – not for appearances, but for survival.
Playing Possum
When meeting a predator face-to-face, the opossum uses an unusual defensive strategy – it keels over in a dead faint.
Call from the Wild
Mountain lions are quiet by nature, but their repertoire of vocal sounds includes one cry that can curdle your blood.
River Otter and Mink
The two species can live peacefully in close proximity because the animals have learned to live and let live.
Ice Houses
Some creatures find warmth and shelter under winter's white mantle.
Bat Wings
Bats are the only mammals to master the skies.
Wake-Up Calls
Animals that snooze for most of the winter have different criteria for deciding when it’s time to get up.
The Waiting Game
Using a strategy called "delayed implantation," some animals can postpone the development of a fertilized egg.
Chipmunk Building
These small rodents build extensive tunnels and dens underground, for both living quarters and food storage.
Wild Horses of Assateague
The island of Assateague, off Maryland and Virginia, is home to two famous herds of wild horses.
Omnivores
Animals that eat almost anything are called omnivores, and there are some unexpected animals in this category.
Bighorn Sheep
Snow-covered mountains resound with the crashing sounds of battle when the mating season of some inhabitants begins.
White-Tailed Deer
The pride of the white-tailed buck is its spreading rack of antlers, but this amazing headgear is seasonal dress only.
Caribou on the Move
Caribou travel all the way from Canada to eat the rich tundra grasses in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Burden of Whales
The humpback, one of the whale species most tormented by pests, sometimes hauls a half ton or more of barnacles.
The Formidable Raccoon
It looks appealing, but this animal is very territorial and, if challenged, can be aggressive.
Predator Turf
A hike through a park in America’s west can be a walk on the wild side, especially if you get close to some of the wildlife.
Grey Fox
Domestic members of the dog family might occasionally bark up the wrong tree, but one small fox might actually be found in a tree.
Mountain Lion
A cat confronted by another cat will often arch its back and hiss or growl. Bigger cats prefer a different approach.
OTHER
Desert Denizen
The horny toad looks like a miniature dinosaur.
Red-Spotted Toad
Listen to some of nature’s choristers.
Sunflowers and Jewels
Ever wonder what’s in a name? Learn the meanings behind some common plant names.
The Bolas Spider
This spider uses a spectacular technique to capture prey.
American Chestnut Blight
The American Chestnut tree has all but disappeared from the American landscape.
Hermit Crab
The hermit crab doesn’t have enough crustaceous covering to enclose its posterior, so he must seek outside protection.
Eastern Box Turtle
The turtle is an animal that’s often associated with longevity. A common North American species—the eastern box turtle—is no exception.
Sidewinder
The sidewinder makes its home in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the American Southwest.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel’s fragrant, yellow flowers wait until fall to emerge.
Woolly Bear
It's that time again…time to look for that furry favorite: the woolly bear.
Lizard Fall
In Monterey county, California, scientists were collecting leaves that were falling to study the leaf nutrients. What the scientists often found among the leaves was a lizard.
Spiderlings of Autumn
This autumn, the air will not only be filled with migrating birds, but also with new broods of insects, including spiders.
Southern Toad
These nocturnal amphibians produce a particularly musical song.
Strong Stuff
Caterpillars roll leaves to form shelters. But how do tiny caterpillars wrestle such large leaves into shape?
Oklahoma Burns
Grazing bison and controlled burning are management strategies that mimic two of nature’s most powerful forces.
The Gribble
The gribble is a small, ocean-going isopod, found mostly in the shallow waters along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
California Tiger Salamander Migration
The tiger salamanders of California’s Central Valley revel in autumn’s first rains.
Oak Forests
All across the Eastern U.S., oak-hickory forests cover a good portion of the forested land.
Gila Monster
If you live in the southwestern part of the U.S., beware of a monster on the loose--a gila monster, that is.
Pine Cones
The cone itself is only a carrying case. It provides a tough outer cover that shields the precious seeds.
Leaf Color Chemistry
Each fall, brilliant displays of yellow, red, and orange draw many to deciduous woodlands. Here’s the basic science behind this striking fall foliage.
Pumpkin Growth
About eighty percent of the U. S. pumpkin supply is available in October, ready jack-o-lantern candidates.
Earthworms
Earthworms are probably a common sight in your garden. They have a unique body structure to allow for their underground lifestyle.
Jelly Fungi
When the weather has been damp and cool, and there’s some decayed wood around, you won’t have to look very hard to spot a jelly fungus.
Lady Beetle
Few insects create a warm place in the human heart, but one small beetle has found its way into legends, nursery rhymes, and even superstition.
Zion National Park
With itsbreathtaking cliff and canyon landscapes,Utah’s magnificent Zion National Park is a popular stop for many visitors to the American southwest.
Eastern Diamondback - King Rattler
This reptile is North America’s largest venomous snake, but it is an expert at going unnoticed.
Treasure Island - Blackbeard
Georgia’s Barrier Islands run the gamut from bustling seaside resorts to protected national wilderness.
The Common Crayfish
The common crayfish is a crustacean with an odd appearance and some odd behaviors.
Sargassum Rafts
The Sargasso Sea is a two million square mile area of the North Atlantic, a region of calm, warm, exceptionally clear water.
Sea Turtle Hatchlings
In the Sargasso Sea, large masses of seaweed form the basis for an intricate floating ecosystem--a habitat vital for sea turtle hatchlings.
Mysterious Mushrooms
This plant doesn’t have leaves or roots. In fact, it isn’t even green!
Mosses
A patch of moss in the woods or near a stream looks and feels like a remarkably soft, springy carpet. But mosses grow in all sorts of places.
Texas Horned Lizard
Meet a reptile with its own unique defense mechanisms.
Life Around a Tree
The trees in your backyard provide more than just shade and beauty; each is a world unto itself, supporting many animals and other plants.
Barn Life
There’s a lot more life in a barn besides the farm animals.
Roadside Nature
The side of the road is often a great place to spot some interesting plants and animals.
Life in a Tidal Pool
One of the best places to observe an interesting variety of sea life is a tidal pool.
Unusual Termites
These pests have some very unusual and interesting characteristics.
Bryce Canyon in Winter
Full of stone spires, pinnacles, and other forms shaped by years of erosion, Bryce Canyon takes on a new dimension in the winter.
What are Wetlands
Wetlands form intricate ecosystems that are home to a large diversity of plant and animal life.
Grand Canyon North
The North rim of the Grand Canyon is the coldest, wettest area of Grand Canyon National Park.
Watermelon Snow
For thousands of years, the appearance of red snow has puzzled visitors to high mountain ranges. What causes this phenomenon?
Insects in Winter
What happens to cold-blooded bugs in the dead of winter?
Diapause
Many insects can’t tolerate temperature extremes, but some have developed a strategy that helps take them through hard times.
Frog and Toad in Winter
These amphibians must protect themselves from winter's frigid temperatures, but they do so in a variety of ways.
Snake Dens
A snake's body temperature is about the same as its surroundings, so during winter, it seeks shelter from the cold.
Ragweed in Winter
Ragweed may be the number one cause of hay fever during the summer months, but in winter, ragweed is much more than a noxious plant.
Western Diamondback
Rattlesnakes rendezvous for the winter in communal dens that might house several hundred snakes.
Conservation President
While Teddy Roosevelt was President, many National Parks, Refuges and bird sanctuaries were established.
Colorful Coral Snake
A catchy rhyme can help you remember which snakes are deadly and which are harmless.
Wetland Food Webs
Wetlands are home to a wide variety of wild creatures, and an abundance of food is available for the many animal species living there.
Tapping Into Sap
Even before any signs point to spring's imminent arrival, the sap in North American maple trees is on the rise.
Vernal Pools
The temporary pools created by spring rains don't look like important habitats, but they are hotbeds of biological activity.
Honey Bee Hive
We know these busy little insects as industrious workers and airy dancers, but they are also talented architects.
Giant Geyser
Yellowstone National Park is the site of the greatest geyser region in the world, and one of the biggest is the Giant Geyser.
Brant Wildlife Festival
Each April, millions of visitors flock to British Columbia to see Vancouver Island’s resident wildlife.
Prairie Spring
Let’s take a springtime walk through the North Dakota prairie.
Monarchs and Milkweed
Milkweed plants are toxic to most animals, but not to Monarch caterpillars!
Toad Defenses
Toads may not look very tough, but they have some powerful defense weapons.
Mosquitoes
Only female mosquitoes partake of blood.
Bogs
What is a bog and how is it created?
Night Bloomers
Nighttime pollinators do not need to detect variations in color, so some flowers that bloom only at night look dull and faded by day.
Leaf Rollers
When caterpillars move into leafed-out trees, some of them only munch. Others use their creativity to make elaborate structures.
Frog Double Life
As they grow, frogs develop the features that allow them to move back and forth easily between land and water habitats.
Frog Eyes
Frogs are born with two sets of eyelids, one to shut out light and the other set to enable them to see clearly underwater.
Waterfalls
Rivers shape the landscape as they flow, wearing down resistance to form both quiet pools and rushing waterfalls.
Canyon Tree Frog
The canyon tree frog might be hard to see, but it's not difficult to hear.
Beavers, Trees, and Beatles
When an animal chews on a plant, the plant may respond by producing noxious chemicals.
Coastal Wetlands
Coastal wetlands serve a variety of important functions.
Crickets
These insects are known for their skill as jumpers, but they're also talented singers.
Tailed Frog
Have you ever seen a full-grown frog with a tail? Chances are, the answer is no.
Gator Holes
For anctuary during the dry months, alligators dig deep, cool ponds.
Daddy Longlegs
If you're afraid of spiders, you have no need to worry about daddy longlegs. Even though they're somewhat scary to look at, these large but harmless arachnids are actually not spiders at all.
Carpenter Bees
People sometimes hum a tuneless sounds while they're working. Some of nature's busiest workers also hum as they make their daily rounds.