Technology and nature are combined more than ever these days. Staff at Sarett have found so many useful (and free) smartphone apps that help us, and can help you, become a better naturalist! Here are…continue reading
While shooting video footage with fellow Sarett Naturalists at Grand Mere State Park, we observed the most spectacular display of cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis, any of us had ever seen! For hundreds of feet, we…continue reading
Black-eyed Susans can be seen in gardens and growing naturally in roadside waste areas. Originally found in the western plains of North America, the sun-loving, yellow-pedaled flowers “migrated” eastward as European settlers cleared forests for…continue reading
Five woodchuck pups emerged from their den under my porch this week after weeks of staying underground and growing with Mom. She has used this den for the last few years but this week I…continue reading
Hummingbirds are arriving back to southwest Michigan after long migratory journeys from southern Florida or Central America. These late spring migrants, some of which cross the Gulf of Mexico in a single flight, can be…continue reading
In honor of Mother’s Day, let’s highlight a dedicated mother in the animal kingdom – the wolf spider. Wolf spiders are one of the most common and widespread families of spider, with over 200 species…continue reading
What are the warning signs that someone may become an animal kidnapper? A belief that animal mothers care for their offspring every minute of every day.A belief in the myth that animal mothers reject babies…continue reading
After researching cecropia moths last week (the largest moth species in North America) I came upon an interesting predator of them – bolas spiders. These orb-weaving spiders in the genus Mastophora, of which there are…continue reading
A spot frequently passed by naturalists on the nature center grounds exposed a cecropia moth cocoon last week. The cecropia moth is the largest moth in North America, and the fact that we did not…continue reading
Birds are the only animals with feathers, which are composed of the insoluble protein keratin. Keratin is the same thing that makes up our fingernails and the scales of a reptile. Feathers help a bird…continue reading
