Armadillos are... unique. The ones that live in the United States, the nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are smallish mammals, around 30 inches long (about the size of a raccoon, groundhog, or skunk) but they are covered with leathery armored overlapping plates that wrap from left to right across their bodies. From underneath this "shell" emerge…Read more Armadillos: Ancient, Strangely Cute, and Coming To A State Near You!
nature
A Tale Of Two Hunters
Reflecting on hunting as a wildlife management tool - Two different experiences with hunting white-tailed deer.
Navigating Unpredictable Weather on Hiking Trips
We focus on the challenges of elevation, distance, the unconquerable mountain peak - but weather can be an overlooked antagonist on backcountry trips.
Backpacking: Mt. Sterling, Pretty Hollow, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC
A 26-mile, 2 night loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Are Genetically Modified Wolves a License to Let Species Die?
Recent claims of dire wolf de-extinction are being used as an excuse to reduce protections on endangered species. Can we let animals go extinct, based on the expectation we can just bring them back when we want?
Invasive Feral Hogs in the Smoky Mountains
A lot of my blog-posting derives from encountering something interesting that prompts me to go down a road of research and discovery. This is one of those posts. Last week, my son and I spent three days and two nights backpacking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (more on that soon, including video), and we…Read more Invasive Feral Hogs in the Smoky Mountains
Paddling: Mattaponi River, VA
Several years ago, I started paddling sections of the Mattaponi River one of the two primary tributaries of the York River (the other being the Pamunkey), in eastern Virginia. It's a beautiful, narrow stream with low but steady current despite only a slight downhill gradient, and its rural watershed transports a paddler into what feels…Read more Paddling: Mattaponi River, VA
Technology In The Backcountry
For many of us - certainly myself - getting out into the backcountry is an escape from the modern, connected world we live in. As a matter of fact, when I first started writing this blog in 2016, back before the first of several society-shaking events that have occurred since then, my goal was ostensibly…Read more Technology In The Backcountry
Name That Tune – Frog Edition!
It's early May here in Southern Maryland, and the neighborhood drainage and retention pond near my house is hopping! Literally! Walking by there the other night, I heard a cacophony - at least 4 different types of frogs, all calling out at the top of their lungs, attracting mates and racing against the coming summer…Read more Name That Tune – Frog Edition!
Dayhike: American Chestnut Land Trust – Oriole Trail
Last weekend I took the opportunity in the wake of a strong cold front to go check out a new (to me) local trail at the American Chestnut Land Trust, in Calvert County, MD. I had noticed on my GPS app that there was a trail there not already covered by my various path traces,…Read more Dayhike: American Chestnut Land Trust – Oriole Trail
Carnivorous Caterpillars, Living Lightning Rods, and Bluebirds
Some recent natural science stories that I find interesting: Caterpillars Scientists in Hawaii have discovered a very unique caterpillar with a very dangerous lifestyle. First of all, it's carnivorous - a trait that only 0.13% of all known butterfly/moth species share. Second, it gets its meals by living in spider webs, and scavenging the bits…Read more Carnivorous Caterpillars, Living Lightning Rods, and Bluebirds
Wildflowers In Not-So-Wild Places
It's late April, and that's a little too late for many wildflowers, and a little early for some others. Regardless, I took a little time today to wander and see what wildflowers I could find here in Maryland. Several of these are tiny, not-showy flowers, and unless you see them in a cluster they're not…Read more Wildflowers In Not-So-Wild Places
Way To Go, Maryland!
I missed posting on Earth Day - but in looking at that theme I did notice an article from the New York Times this week pointing out the recent conservation success of Maryland, my home state. The "Maryland The Beautiful" Act was one of several initiatives being pursued by nine states, with the objective of…Read more Way To Go, Maryland!
Dayhike: Paw Paw Tunnel, C&O Canal, MD
The Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal was built in the late 1700's and through the early 1800's to connect the goods and citizens on the East Coast of a young United States to what was then the western frontier, beyond the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. The utility of the canal was overcome by railroads…Read more Dayhike: Paw Paw Tunnel, C&O Canal, MD
Spring Meteors – The Lyrids, Plus Morning Planets
I'm always a little hesitant to write about meteor showers, since you never know really how a particular event is going to shape up. Then again, since you never know, it's always worth an hour of my time to check things out. I still remember one December shower where the meteors were so thick and…Read more Spring Meteors – The Lyrids, Plus Morning Planets
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 