Browsing: Qu’est Que C’est

Spiders are all around us: in our landscapes, our homes, and even our vehicles. My grandchildren are always excited to report a web or small spider lurking in my vehicle. They all know not to kill them and that Paw Paw will show them the door, or not. Of course these are the spiders in plain view, but many others reside out of sight, like Trapdoor Spiders. Of the spiders that live underground, these critters take concealment to the max.

Yes, I am writing about flies – again. In my previous story, An Ode to Maggots, I acknowledged that larval flies get no respect. For the most part, that is true of adult flies as well, especially the species that bite, buzz your face, or fly up your nose. And yet, may I argue that flies are important in our world, whether we appreciate them or not. In part, I offer a few photos of flies that are less offensive, but beautiful, captured with skill by my friends Curtis and Sharon.

What looks like a mass of yellow spaghetti draped over a plant is, well, another plant – Dodder (Cuscuta spp). It is in fact a parasitic vine that is draining the life out of its host. The name dodder is largely thought to be derived from the German word dotter, referring to egg yolk, a reference that fits it well. But if you look close, this vine has flowers, cute ones at that, and an interesting and successful way of life.

Finding a click beetle, and watching it flip itself over, is as exciting as it gets with nature, especially for children. The dramatic flip and audible sound that they make when they do is almost always followed by a scream or giggle. And sadly, for the poor beetle, repeat performances are required, at least until it stops on its own. But what are these critters and why do they flip out.

Summertime Nature with Bored Kids – Nighttime Activities  

This is the second in this series of suggested activities for kids to do during summer, besides being glued to screens. In this case, nighttime is a great chance to entice them outdoors to listen and look for nature in the dark. Who knows, it may catch on!

School is out for the summer. What to do with those kids that have nothing to do but stare at a glowing screen all day. Try to entice them outside with hands-on activities that keep their interest. Here is one of a couple I will share in the coming weeks.

Identifying living things in our world has become as easy as opening up an app on your phone. But which one to use? There are so many, most focused on specific groups of organisms. But one app stands far above the rest. As a naturalist and scientist, the only app I use is iNaturalist. Let me explain why.

Poor maggots, they get no respect. Even my trusty Webster’s Dictionary includes a reference to them found usually in filth.…

OK, so have you ever wondered about what seems like a small swarm of birds flying out from and back under the bridges you cross on your way wherever? They are not winged trolls, but one of the most abundant species of swallows that live across our globe – Barn Swallows.

Lyreleaf Sage is an early spring wildflower across the southeastern U.S., often adding a splash of color in the landscapes where is thrives. Common along roadsides, open woodlands, and urban spaces, this small, yet attractive plant benefits many animals and can add value to our landscapes.

Among the many species of large wasps in our world, some create beautiful nests from raw materials around them. Paper wasps and hornets scrape wood fibers from trees to create their nests. Others use soil to create earthen structures, the most recognizable being that of Organ Pipe Mud Daubers.

For those of you that are open to eating wild plants, you might want to check out a few tasty greens in your yard before you crank up that mower. Unless you have one of those highly managed lawns, free of pesky weeds, many of our common yard plants are edible. And spring is a great time to try some out. I have written about a couple of my favorites before, but as I am seeing many pop up this spring, this is a good time to promote a few.

My friend Bob Brzuszek has done it! He has gotten the city of Starkville to not mow in March, to give pollinators a great start in early spring and highlight the diversity of native wildflowers that feed them. The city’s Go Wild initiative encourages homeowners to do the same and take the time to look for and learn about wildflowers and their pollinators (https://www.cityofstarkville.org/680/7316/Highlights).

Of the many types of wetlands in our landscape, Bayhead Swamps are nearest to us, often part of our backyards and neighborhoods. And yet, they are often recognized only as those “wet” and “muddy” domains where our children like to roam. And why not! Any child playing outdoors loves a mud puddle or ditch to explore. But let me share why these wet spots are a gift to us.

For many folks, owls are spooky and mysterious creatures. But the truth is that they are some of the most fascinating of the nocturnal creatures in our world. All owls are cool, but the coolest may be Great Horned Owls.

Many kinds of birds flock together in winter, for good reasons. Understanding why makes watching them fun and a chance to appreciate their roles in our world.