Orchids are prized wildflowers and highly specialized plants. According to fossil evidence, orchids have been thriving on the planet for more than 100 million years! Today, the orchid family is one of the largest groups of flowering plants in the world, with almost 30,000 species....
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There are several oyster mushroom species, but they all look the same and all are edible. One of the identifying characteristics of oyster mushrooms is the lack of stems or stalks. Some may have a short or stubby stalk, but most are stalkless. The common and...
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In today’s post, Stan Tekiela, author of the Birds of Michigan field guide, tells us where to sight birds in the Great Lakes State. Millions of people in Michigan have discovered the joy of bird-feeding. Setting out feeders is a simple and fun way to bring birds...
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The Kids’ Guide to Birds of Ohio features 85 of the most common and important birds to know, with species organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a yellow bird and don’t know what it is? Go to the yellow section to...
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The Kids’ Guide to Birds of Wisconsin is a fun, easy-to-use guide for anyone interested in seeing and identifying birds. The book features 86 of the most common and important birds to know, with species organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a...
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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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Mushrooms are beautiful, bountiful, and delicious. But foraging for them often makes people nervous―and for good reason! Start Mushrooming takes away the worry by introducing seven of the most unmistakable, edible mushrooms in North America. Stan Tekiela’s book Start Mushrooming focuses on seven edible mushrooms that are...
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Each winter, Stan Tekiela leads a photography group to Yellowstone National Park, and at the top of the list for most participants is capturing an image of an American Bison. This iconic image of the “frosty bison” usually involves a large bull bison standing near...
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In today’s post, Stan Tekiela, author of the Birds of Minnesota field guide, tells us where to find birds in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Millions of people in Minnesota have discovered the joy of bird-feeding. Setting out feeders is a simple and fun way to bring birds...
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Stan Tekiela, author of Birds of Minnesota, tells us about the different nests you may find in your neighborhood. They come in all different shapes and forms! Birds’ nests are a true feat of engineering. Imagine constructing a home that’s strong enough to weather storms, large...
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