Canadian Rescue

Cool, dry air pushed into Missouri over the past 48 hours, courtesy of a Canadian cold front. Displacing the hot, muggy air that enveloped ...

Evening on the Floodplain

Cool, dry air, clear skies and a flooded landscape characterized the Missouri River Valley last evening. A raft of flotsam had collected beh...

The Nature of God

Once hominids were intelligent enough to wonder, the concept of God was born. By then, the Universe was already 13.6 billion years old. Sin...

Colorado's Jays

Five species of jay inhabit Colorado. All are noisy, aggressive and omnivorous birds but each is associated with a unique life zone; as is ...

Steam Bath

Less than a week past the summer solstice, I'm ready for September. Hot, humid weather has settled into Missouri, with highs near 90 and...

Pine Mountain

In southeastern Kentucky, two high ridges, separated by the Cumberland River Valley, parallel the Virginia border. These prominent spines ar...

Clifton Gorge

Slicing through the farmlands of southwestern Ohio, Clifton Gorge is a scenic wonderland for naturalists. Though its rugged walls of Siluri...

A Feast of Froglets

On our visit to the Forum Nature Area, yesterday, my wife and I found a zillion froglets along the marshy shores of the flooded, seasonal la...

The Cost of Oil

The price of oil has surged in recent months, producing hardships for individuals and businesses alike. The cause for this phenomenon appea...

Turtle Tots

It seems to be a good year for aquatic turtles in mid Missouri. Our visits to the Forum Nature Center, in Columbia, have turned up a large n...

Altitude Sickness

Many Americans will head to the National Parks and mountain resorts of the West this summer and, unfortunately, some of their vacations will...

Floodplain Roulette

During most of our history, humans have been a nomadic species, living in temporary camps as we followed game and explored our planet. Earl...

The Yellowstone Time Bomb

Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its scenic vistas, abundant wildlife and geothermal wonders, is a relatively recent addition to the ...

Islands of Water

Mention islands and most of us think of land masses that protrude above lakes and oceans. But, in desert regions, isolated mountain ranges p...

A Prime Time Death

The recent, unexpected death of Tim Russert, a renowned and beloved TV journalist, brought deep sorrow to his family, friends, colleagues an...

Insect Days

Insects play an important role in the natural world throughout the year. During winter, when most species are in suspended animation as eggs...

Nighthawk at Noon

Common nighthawks are summer residents throughout most of North America and we tend to associate them with calm, summer evenings when they h...

Castlewood Canyon

Rising on the Palmer Divide, Cherry Creek flows northward across the Colorado Piedmont and joins the South Platte River in downtown Denver. ...

Living in Wild Places

Not far from our farm, in Littleton, Colorado, is a new residential development called "Fox Haven." And it probably was before th...

Night Winds

After reaching a high in the low 90s yesterday, we are sitting at 61 in Denver this afternoon. The change developed in the middle of the nig...

The Chosen Species

Man is obviously not the largest or most powerful species on the planet. And, despite our slow maturation, a number of species have longer l...

A Cool, Bright Morning

Despite the crystal-clear sky and brilliant sunshine, it was rather cool along the South Platte this morning, with a temperature near fifty....

Tale of Two Fronts

We left Columbia this morning in warm, humid air, the temperature already in the mid seventies. Heading west into Kansas, the south wind in...

Fathers and Hope

Having evolved as hunters and protectors, human males are predisposed to violent behavior. Fortunately, the development of human culture has...

Man and Heat

As the season's first major heat wave envelops the eastern U.S., there will be many cases of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and, unfortu...

Mountain Weather

This summer, many hikers and campers will head to the mountains, hoping to recharge their souls and to escape the heat of the lowlands. For...

Catalpas

The northern catalpas are blooming in Columbia this week. Natives of the mid Mississippi Valley, these trees are planted widely as ornament...

Genes, Experience and Luck

We are a product of three factors: genetics, experience and happen-stance; some might also include spirituality but I am inclined to lump th...

Bully Birds

It was a calm, warm evening when I went out back to resume my novel. A Carolina wren sang from the far corner of the yard, a pair of chicka...

Kentucky's Knob Belt

Most of eastern Kentucky is covered by the Appalachian Plateau, its western edge angling from the northeast to the southwest and running jus...

Science and Entertainment

Like many people, I am fascinated by the weather and have been a regular patron of the Weather Channel for many years. Unfortunately, in rec...