Do you have peonies in your garden? If so, you’ve likely seen ants crawling or resting on the unopened buds and perhaps wondered why they are there. Nature is so full of surprises and lessons! This delightful ants-in-your-plants example reveals one of the many mutually beneficial ...
This time of year, spring comes alive with an array of sounds and colors. I have to smile when I step outside and hear a returning bird call for the first time. I marvel at the fresh green leaves and blooming flowers. So much of what awakens in spring is full of beauty and color. Like old ...
We were supposed to be planting trees. Three Black Gum trees have been patiently (or frustratingly – its hard to tell with trees) waiting in their pots all winter, eager to spread their roots. We were deciding on spots and talking it over and then I said “I want to see if the toad eggs ...
One way of categorizing plants is based on their origin: native plants are those that have lived in an area since before humans altered the landscape. Conversely, non-native plant species are those that arrived more recently – often with our help. Well-known plants in the latter group ...
As I walked into a room with several of Audubon’s animal ambassadors, the two turtles were clearly visible in their containers. However, the animal in the bottom was hidden and one of the first things I heard was “I hope it’s not a snake!” This particular phrase is pretty common ...
We all do it. We press down the handle and assume everything just magically disappears. Hit the lever, gone forever. But is it? No matter if you own a vacation property on the lake or a home in rural Chautauqua County, you should be familiar with the form and function of your home’s ...
