Nature and wildlife articles based on my own field observations — birds, butterflies, plants, and the behavior I’ve watched and photographed over the years. Some are fully written up; others are still in progress. Check back as new entries are added.
One Small Wildflower Bed, Seven Months: What a 350-Square-Foot Native Planting Has Attracted and Grown
What a former patch of mowed lawn attracted in its first season — 38 bird species, 24 butterflies, 16 dragonflies — and the Bidens alba that grew over 12 feet tall.
Bird Perches: A Comprehensive Guide
Why placing perches deliberately — for birds, dragonflies, and more — belongs alongside food, water, and cover in any backyard habitat.
The Best Way to Attract Fall Migrating Monarchs
A “weed” most gardeners pull turns out to be the single best plant for fueling Monarchs on their fall migration south — if you grow it right.
86 Species, One Flower: The Overlooked Visitors of Trumpet Vine
What citizen science data reveals about the surprising range of pollinators most people never notice on this common vine.
Painted Spurge: One Plain Little Flower, Over 70 Different Pollinator Species
You’ve probably never heard of this plant — over 70 pollinator species have.
Osprey Platform, One Perch — 11 Species
One structure built for one bird ended up hosting eleven — a case for what good habitat, once built, actually attracts.
What Makes a Bird Rare?
Not all rarity means the same thing — genetics, geography, and timing can each make an ordinary bird extraordinary.
