With Covid discouraging many gatherings, nature drew us, both at preserves and in our yard, which has been landscaped for maximum habitat value. Here are my 2021 favorites! …
The Consequences of Pesticides in Citrus Pest Treatment – and references
An op-ed article I wrote for the Redlands Daily Facts, entitled "Understanding the Consequences of Asian Psyllid Treatment," is being published tomorrow. It was prompted when I noted that articles were not mentioning the negative effects of the recommended pesticide treatments for an alarming pest …
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‘Tis the Season for Spiders
E.B. White’s Charlotte Web was my favorite childhood book, and I’ve loved spiders and pigs ever since. Luckily my husband also shares my passion for our non-human creatures. When summer comes, this means we get to roam our property at night with flashlights and especially watch the …
Bugs! and Other Photos from Our Yard
Our yard is alive with wildlife this spring, so thought I would post some photos of the critters and a few native plants they're especially attracted to. The insects attract a host of larger insects and in the chain of life, they in turn attract a rich bird and lizard population that feeds on them …
Get Out of Your Car on Road Trips and… What Arizona’s Monsoons Bring
Vultures taking advantage of the hundreds of sphinx moth caterpillars crossing the road, Colorado River toads, noisy grasshoppers and gorgeous sunsets.... I took a trip to Arizona last week, and happened to time it with the last days of Arizona's monsoons. When I lived in Flagstaff I relished …
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Carpenter Bees: Reconsider Viewing Them as Pests
We've got lots of carpenter bees -- visiting the Cleveland Sage in our front yard, and now laying eggs above. About a year ago I saw sawdust below an old parrot perch sitting outside and over the next few months got to witness an adult carpenter bee drilling into the wood prior to laying eggs. Then …
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