The Eastern Harvestmen
Around our parts of the nation we call the Eastern Harvestmen creatures daddy longlegs, but the real name is the Eastern harvestmen. There are 6,650 species of harvestmen worldwide.
Category: Feathered Friends Backyard Guests
Golden Backed Snipe Fly
Strolling through a sun-dappled woodland edge on a quiet afternoon, where the air hums with life’s quiet drama. That’s where I’ve often encountered the Golden-Backed Snipe Fly. A true gem of the insect world. This...
9 Woodpeckers of Wisconsin
Worldwide, there are 216 members of the Picidae, or woodpecker family The 9 woodpeckers of Wisconsin that have been reported from the picidae and woodpecker families are the northern flicker, yellow bellied sap sucker, red...
Eastern Gray Squirrel: Nature’s Acrobatic Neighbors
There’s something magical about spotting an Eastern Gray Squirrel darting through the trees on a quiet summer morning, its bushy tail waving like a flag in the breeze.
Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Milkweed isn't just for Monarchs. The Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar uses it for a food source too. Then it becomes the Milkweed Tiger Moth.
Stink Bug
Stink Bug There are many varieties of the stink bug. Most are olive green and black, although some are brightly colored and all are shield-shaped insects.
Common Scorpionfly
So what is this crazy-looking insect? Have you seen one before? This is the common scorpionfly. To me, there is nothing common about the look of this little guy.
What’s in Your Pocket, Bumble Bee? Summer Wonders in Wisconsin’s Wildflower Fields
As the sun rises gently over Wisconsin’s rolling meadows on this crisp summer morning, I find myself wandering the wildflower paths, captivated by the buzz of life around me. It’s moments like these that remind...
Organic Deer Plant Repellent
Organic Deer Plant Repellent Recipe Deer love to munch on certain plants and it is rather comical how in one area a gardener will have luck with a certain product keeping deer away from their...
3 Things Gardeners Can Do To Help The Declining Honey Bee Population
Want to help out the declining honey bee population? I have put together a list of 3 things gardeners can do to help the declining honey bee population.
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is a mid-sized songbird wat are about 8-9 inches in length. The Male is a vibrant red, while the female is a reddish olive color.
Grow Your Own Safflower Seed
Grow Your Own Safflower Seed Wildlife > Birds > Bird Recipes, Crafts, and Care Looking to keep the squirrels off your feeders? Try changing your birdseed. Birds like safflower seed squirrels dislike it. So, if...
European Starlings
European starlings (starlings for short) are about the size of a blackbird with glossy black plumage that has a metallic look to them. During the winter months, the birds sport white flecking to them
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Our winter visitors the red-breasted nuthatch are back for the season. As soon as the weather starts getting cold, I will usually see my first red-breasted nuthatch.
Leafhoppers and Planthoppers
Leafhoppers and Planthoppers There are over 12,500 varieties of leafhoppers and planthoppers, that feed on the sap from plants, grass, and trees but most are harmless to the plant.
Gall Fly Produces Goldenrod Galls
Gall Fly Produces Goldenrod Galls The Gall fly produces goldenrod galls that become the food source and host plant for gall fly larvae over the course of the winter. The insect has a fairly interesting...
Fall’s Last Hurrah: Fields Of Sandhill Cranes Feasting in Wisconsin’s Golden Fields
As the crisp October air swirls with the scent of fallen leaves and harvest bonfires, there’s no better time to witness one of nature’s most enchanting spectacles right here in Wisconsin. I’m sitting by my...
Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America. The term pileated comes from the Latin word pileatus meaning “capped” which refers to the red crest on the top of the bird’s head.
Snails
Snails At some point, you will have to contend with snails in your vegetable garden and flower gardens. Use these simple tricks to slay snails on your container plantings and gardens
Blue Jays and Peanuts
Blue Jays and Peanuts There is a soft and gentle rain coming down from the heavens this morning as I sit quietly at my kitchen table watching the deck peanut wreath full of blue jays...