Articles about infidelity among humans are always a draw for readers, and yes, including me. But I’m even more eager to read articles or research about monogamy among our animal brethren. It’s true that genetic research has dispelled some of the monogamous myths about animal bonds. …
Plants for Bees: 12 month log of plants
I've been fishing up to a dozen bees - both European honeybees and native bees (Note: there are 1600 in California) - out of our pool the last few days (about 2/3rd survive if I make my rounds frequently) so I knew something was blooming in the vicinity. Yep, looking nearby, the loquats were in …
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Attracting Butterflies to Your Yard
I attended a local Audubon talk by Monika Moore on the experiences with her butterfly garden. In 2002 she started transforming the hardscape in her Fullerton, CA backyard into a butterfly haven, particularly for Monarchs. I think photos tell the story better than words so will begin with photos …
Animal Emotions…. and Animal Demotion
This weekend I came across a Harper's magazine issue from this summer that had a couple features on the relationship between humans and animals. Some of the thought-provoking points are below, along with other research and a couple experiences of our own. How different are animals from …
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Nature’s Take: Yes on Prop 37
I’ve been following the campaign dollars and the newspaper endorsements surrounding Proposition 37 --where a yes vote would approve the genetically engineered foods labeling initiative. Polls conducted two months ago showed 2/3 voters supporting it. Now, after a huge ad blitz against the …
Favorite Natives: Salvias (Sages) for Aroma, Wildlife and Spectacular Flowers
Native California salvias (commonly called sages) make my favorite list for many reasons: their spectacular show of flowers spring through summer, their aroma that permeates the air, especially after rainfall. Also, the sages in our landscaping offer great wildlife habitat. I have photos of …
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