Wood Carvers: The Fascinating World of Woodpeckers
North Carolina’s eight species of this delightful, noisy bird have some cool adaptations… and serve an important role in our ecosystem.
Tag: mike dunn
A Closer Look at Autumn Leaves
Take time during this crisp month to admire the abundance of fall color in our area and the intricate beauty of a single leaf.
Watch Out for Zombies! At Least, in Fungus Form…
A bizarre fungus that infects different kinds of insect can cause strange behavior — and frightening alterations to their bodies.
Wild, Wacky & Wooly Caterpillars in Your Backyard
Lepidoptera — the larval stage of butterflies and moths — come in all shapes and colors. Here are a few especially cool ones you can find.
A World Inside A Weed
Native milkweed, a common pollinator plant in our area, has a unique structure and an important role in our environment.
The Great Migration
A North Carolina nature writer takes chilly trip to southern Nebraska to see thousands of Sandhill Cranes in their winter roosting spot.
They’re Baaaaack! Strange, Incredible Cicadas
The duel emergence of Brood XIX and Brood XIII periodical cicadas means an influx of cicadas this spring — here’s why this is so remarkable.
The Buzz: North Carolina’s Coolest Native Bees
Take a closer look at these fuzzy, fascinating pollinators — they have some bizarre behaviors and specialized skills.
Pretty in Pink: An Appreciation for the Eastern Redbud
The beloved blossoming tree provides the season’s first blush of color each year in the Carolinas, and has a variety of uses beyond wildlife
An Eye on Eagles in North Carolina
Bald Eagles are large raptors with impressive aerial maneuvers — and you can see them in habitats along Falls Lake and Jordan Lake.
The Story in Ice: Art and Life in Winter
The unique properties of water make it life-sustaining in the coldest months. And, if you look closely, it creates beautiful patterns.
High Gliders: North Carolina’s Flying Squirrels
Though it’s hard to spot these nocturnal creatures, flying squirrels are surprisingly abundant in our forests and neighborhoods.
Strange Beauty: Turkeys in the Wild
This large game bird in North Carolina has a special place in our traditions — and some singular features too
Elk in Our Mountains of North Carolina
These majestic animals are the largest mammal in the state, and are easiest to see in early fall during their mating season.