A Sprinkle of Yellow From the Northern Spicebush
The deciduous shrub Lindera benzoin is an early-spring delight in the Piedmont when its delicate yellow blooms light up its bare branches.
Tag: mike dunn
Ghosts of the Woods: Bobcats in North Carolina
Close encounters with our state’s only wild feline — the fierce, fast and rarely-seen Lynx rufus, or bobcat.
Trees at Eye Level: How Well Do You Know Your Bark?
It’s easy to identify trees by their leaves — but could you do it without looking up? Take this quiz before your next woodland walk.
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.
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.