Browsing: Qu’est Que C’est

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return to the northern Gulf Coast on or about the Ids of March. And the first clue to…

For me, Sweetbay Magnolia is the unsung hero among magnolias of the Gulf and Atlantic coastal regions. Smaller than its showier Southern Magnolia relative, the species is nonetheless a prominent feature of our landscape. It gives Bayhead Swamps their name and, along with Southern Magnolia, are the more common among all seven species of Magnolias.

Of the many species of plants that I encounter, the spikey ones are often the most interesting. It is true that I do visit some odd habitats and locations, but Southern Prickly Ash always gets my attention when I spot it in the places I frequent. But the thorns and spines are just some of the traits of this curious tree.

Have you seen cicadas in the news lately? There’s a lot of excitement about the periodic cicadas that only emerge every 13 or 17 years, depending on location.

As far as spiders that live in our homes go, the Southern House Spider is the largest and most imposing – certainly when you first spot one.

Seeing a Red Fox always seems to be a highlight of anyone’s day. They are not the most commonly observed of the larger furry creatures that live amongst us.

Tree roots fit the meaning of the phrase out of sight, out of mind. But they are far from being…

All household insect pests get bad raps for one reason or another. I get it. I grew up with a…

In the birding world, records of sightings are important. Professional ornithologists and amateur birders keep lists and logs of what,…

We all grew up with certain plants making their appearance around Christmas or Hanukkah – the Christmas tree being the…

Plants with colorful or tasty fruit are valued by many of us for their beauty, as food, or both. I…

When it comes to brightly colored flowers, humans are no different than pollinators that are attracted to them. We value…

I do enjoy seeing the many photos of autumn foliage shared by my friends who travel the East Coast this…

Of the many fall flowers that color our world, goldenrods are my favorite. For one thing, they were my mother’s…

The fall migration of birds is as good a time as any to channel the spirit of Judy Toups – the Grand Dame of Mississippi Coast Birding. In her memory, it is a great time to challenge yourself to make her joy of birding your own.

In the world of insects and spiders, imitating the looks or behaviors of a more aggressive creature is known as…