Wildflowers are a lot like wild birds. People are drawn to their beauty and fascinated by their life cycles. We may not know why we like them so much—we just do! Stan Tekiela has always thought of himself as a big-picture naturalist—an old-school naturalist who is...
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Naturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela set out into Yellowstone National Park to capture pictures of coyotes. Here is his report! I had been searching the snowy mountain landscape the entire morning and had come up empty-handed—no coyotes in sight. It was a cold morning with temperatures in...
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Stan Tekiela was recently alerted by a homeowner that a Black-capped Chickadee visiting her feeders didn’t look like the others. Stan went to investigate, and here is what he discovered. I am fascinated by all aspects of nature. It doesn’t matter if it’s insects, reptiles, amphibians,...
Read MoreNaturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela observes hundreds of Tundra Swans as they migrate to their nesting areas. Stepping out of the house, I immediately hear a familiar and wonderful sound—one that I only hear at this time of year. It is a high-pitched and smooth...
Read MoreIn this week’s post, wildlife photographer and naturalist Stan Tekiela introduces us to the meadow vole, a stout little critter with a distinctive short, blunt nose. If you have followed any of my columns over the years, you no doubt know that I love all animals, from...
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Wildlife photographer and naturalist Stan Tekiela talks to us about Grebes rushing and dancing on the water. When I was young, I watched The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday evenings. Every now and then, the show would air a short video clip, set to classical...
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In today’s post, naturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela talks about the super moth visiting our gardens this time of year. Late summer brings an amazing insect to flower gardens across the United States. It is the Sphinx Moth, also called the Hawk Moth or Hummingbird...
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Naturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela just returned from Alaska with many new tales and fabulous photography. Here is his first report. I go to Alaska every year for a variety of reasons: the wildlife, the amazing adventures, and the chance to connect with the mountains. This year...
Read MoreStan Tekiela encounters a mink when checking on his purple martin colony. Find out what happened! The other day I was working with my purple martin colony. I have 16 gourd nesting boxes that house 16 families, and at this time of year the babies are...
Read MoreAll around us, nature is full of wonder and mystery, and migration illustrates this well. It’s an amazing natural occurrence that seems simple enough. Birds leave the northern regions in the fall, before the onset of winter. They spend the coldest months farther south, and then return in...
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