When I started learning tree identification, one of my first goals was to find an easy method to quickly identify coniferous trees. Most common types of coniferous trees can be easily identified by observing simple characteristics in how the tree grows, such as: How long are the needles?Are the needles soft or pokey?Do the needles grow in a flat plane or encircle the branch?What does … [Read more...] about How To Identify Coniferous Trees: Easy tricks for pine, spruce, fir & more
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12 Essential Facts About Juncos That Everyone Should Know
Juncos are one of the most common songbirds in North America. Yet often when I show a twittering flock of juncos to new bird watchers, they look at me with confused faces and say, “What the heck is a junco?” For being one of the most common backyard songbirds, these small gray sparrow-sized birds are incredibly easy to overlook! So today I’d like to share some secrets from the life … [Read more...] about 12 Essential Facts About Juncos That Everyone Should Know
When Do Squirrels Mate & Have Babies? (mating calendar + 3 behaviors to look for)
One of the secrets to really understanding squirrel behavior is knowing when they have babies in your local forests. Squirrel mating behaviors are a frequently misunderstood topic in the life of squirrels because their breeding habits have such incredible diversity that all depends on each individual squirrel. As a general rule most Gray and Fox squirrels have their babies during September … [Read more...] about When Do Squirrels Mate & Have Babies? (mating calendar + 3 behaviors to look for)
How To Make A Bow Drill (Fire Demo & Practice Guide)
One of the quintessential primitive survival skills is being able to light fires by rubbing sticks together. Friction fire using a tool like bow drill can be incredibly inspiring to witness, and rewarding to do it yourself! So today I’m going to walk you through step-by-step how to make your first bow drill kit and get a fire started with it. This video shows the END RESULT of what … [Read more...] about How To Make A Bow Drill (Fire Demo & Practice Guide)
How Did Early Humans Deal With Mosquitoes? (7 natural ways to become insect-proof!)
If you’re like me and live in a place where mosquito swarms are a regular part of life outside, you’ve probably wondered while being eaten alive - how the heck did people deal with mosquitoes back in the day? I was curious to find out which traditional insect repellant strategies are most effective and also which methods are easy to apply in modern times. In general early humans dealt with … [Read more...] about How Did Early Humans Deal With Mosquitoes? (7 natural ways to become insect-proof!)
Robin Nesting Habits: How to Find Nests & 5 Nest Behaviors To Observe
Sometimes the most commonly seen birds are also the best teachers of bird behavior. This is why American Robins are truly one of my favorite birds to watch during the spring nesting season. Pretty much every home in North America with a lawn & some nearby trees will have robins nesting within view. It’s amazing how much we can learn from observing such a common bird that so often gets … [Read more...] about Robin Nesting Habits: How to Find Nests & 5 Nest Behaviors To Observe
How To Learn The Plant Growth Stages: Photo examples with annual, perennial & biennial growth stages
One of the most useful things I ever learned about plants is how to observe the stages of plant growth. All plants follow the same basic patterns of growth on their way to maturity and this gives us a better way to identify and understand those plants more deeply. The simplest way to describe plant growth is with 4 stages: Germination is when the seed first becomes active and starts the … [Read more...] about How To Learn The Plant Growth Stages: Photo examples with annual, perennial & biennial growth stages
Raccoon Scat: How To Identify & Find Latrines + Possible Dangers To Know
Raccoons are fun animals to track and one of the most useful skills I ever learned to help me do that is finding and identifying raccoon scat. Raccoon scat is fairly common but it’s also commonly misidentified because it has similar characteristics to the droppings of other animals. Many people don’t know how to tell raccoon scat from dog, coyote, fox or even otter scat.There are also some … [Read more...] about Raccoon Scat: How To Identify & Find Latrines + Possible Dangers To Know
How To Approach Birds Without Scaring Them (tips & body language to build trust with birds…)
One of my favorite things in nature is getting up close and personal to birds in the wild. Most birds are incredibly shy about being approached, but with the right techniques, it’s possible to earn their trust and have some truly amazing close encounters! If you want to get closer to birds, the most important thing is moving slowly enough that you don’t make them nervous. Birds will … [Read more...] about How To Approach Birds Without Scaring Them (tips & body language to build trust with birds…)
How To Understand Nature (What is nature? 6 ways to SEE it for yourself)
Einstein said, “Look deeply into nature and you will understand everything better.” But what does this really mean? And how is it done on a practical level? Like many people who care about the earth, I’ve often wondered about the role that nature might play in my personal journey to find meaning & satisfaction in life. Throughout history, humans have lived closely to nature, yet … [Read more...] about How To Understand Nature (What is nature? 6 ways to SEE it for yourself)