State symbols are important, they tell a story, and today we want to introduce the state birds of the Midwest. Some states share the same state birds, such as Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, who favor the Northern Cardinal. A familiar backyard bird, the Northern Cardinal...
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The striking black-and-white breeding plumage and deep red eyes of the Common Loon befit its elegance and grace. Loons are physically amazing, with large, powerful feet that propel the birds underwater at speeds fast enough to overtake fish. They have wings capable of carrying them...
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Naturalist and award-winning photographer Stan Tekiela recently had the opportunity to spent some quality time with Long-tailed Weasels. Here is his report. Every now and then I get an opportunity to work with a species that I haven’t experienced much first-hand. These are often rare...
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Butterflies of the South & Southeast, by Jaret C. Daniels, Ph.D., teaches us how to put a name to these beautiful winged creatures. Whether you’re in the backyard, tending to your garden, or out and about, keep this convenient butterfly guide close at hand. Designed for...
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It’s hard to beat this time of year. The cool days, the colorful trees and pumpkins. Yeah, that’s right—pumpkins. Stan Tekiela finds the pumpkin fascinating, especially the history of pumpkins. You might agree after reading about this amazing vine-growing gourd. Pumpkins are the oldest known cultivated...
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We are thrilled to have our first Sharing is Caring giveaway! Enter to win two (2) copies of Stan Tekiela's book Wild Birds: North America's Most Unique Birds. We will make sure that Stan's book reaches you in time for the holidays and will contact...
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Jonathan Poppele, author of Animal Tracks of the Midwest, shares his tips on how to photograph animal tracks. A good photographic record allows others to see and interpret what you observed, as if they were standing beside you in the field. When we interpret tracks, we...
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Dan Lynch’s Lake Superior Rocks & Minerals is a must-have guide for Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario that features full-color photographs and information to help readers identify the rocks and minerals they see. With the new edition of this famous guide by Bob Lynch and Dan...
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With Trees of Pennsylvania by award-winning author and naturalist Stan Tekiela, you can make tree identification simple, informative, and productive. Learn about 117 species found in the state, organized by leaf type and attachment. Just look at a tree’s leaves, then go to the correct section to...
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Beaches are the borders between two vastly different ecosystems. As such, they are teeming with a variety of fascinating life. In her quick guide called Coastal Life of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Erika Zambello provides tips on how to easily identify seashells, beachcombing finds, and iconic...
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