A Controlled Burn
After the terrible drought in Texas last summer, everyone agrees that wildfires are to be avoided, if at all possible. The key here is the word "wild," meaning uncontrolled. If…
Birding 101 at the Nature Preserve
Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve and the Louisville Audubon Society joined birders everywhere in the Great Backyard Bird Count today. The GBBC is citizen science in action, and there is still…
Do You Appreciate Squirrels?
Last Saturday, Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve celebrated National Squirrel Appreciation Day. Our friend Brigette Williams, of Second Chances Wildlife Center, came to share some of her squirrely friends.The tree squirrel…
Darling Starling?
After a number of misguided attempts to introduce starlings to North America, perhaps 60-100 starlings were released into Central Park, in New York City, in 1890 and 1891, by an…
Wintering Flocks at the Feeder
Everyone should recognize this plump little bird, even if you aren't an active bird watcher. It's the Carolina Chickadee, which lives in Kentucky year-round. You will hear it chattering and…
What’s that Blob in the Tree?
Now that the tree branches are bare, you may notice dark blobs in the branches and wonder what in the world they are. Here in Kentucky, there are two options…
Golden Ginkgo Trees
Many trees turn bright yellow in the autumn, but one of my favorites is the bright yellow Ginkgo tree, found in many locations since it is a popular landscaping tree.…
The Mobbing Crowd
It is not uncommon to see a group of crows or mockingbirds chasing a hawk or eagle, or a group of songbirds fluttering and calling around a perched owl. Such…
Sumac in the Fall
We all enjoy the bright colors of fall. Sometimes I can't find enough adjectives to describe the reds of maple trees and dogwoods. But the brightest red of all may…
Is It an Orange or Apple?
During these bright autumn days, you might notice a peculiar looking tree growing along the roadside. It looks like bright green oranges or softballs are hanging from its branches! Maclura…