Lessons from Sandy

Though Hurricane Sandy, which evolved into Nor'Easter Sandy and then Superstorm Sandy, has already been labeled "historic, unpreced...

Sandy's Left Turn

Most tropical cyclones that move up the eastern coast of North America either veer out to sea or continue to parallel the shoreline, raking ...

Starved Rock State Park

The Illinois River watershed extends from the headwaters of the Des Plaines River, in southeast Wisconsin, and the upper tributaries of the ...

Up the Illinois River

After zigzagging across the Mississippi floodplain, north of St. Peters, Missouri, we crossed the river on the Golden Eagle ferry as a bald ...

Duck Weather at Eagle Bluffs

This morning, I arrived at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, on the Missouri River floodplain, under a blanket of low clouds.  Curtains of rai...

The McGovern Rift

Back in the early 1970s, as an opponent of the Vietnam War and a potential draftee (if not accepted to medical school), I supported George M...

Junco in the Dark

When I walk to work through the dark early mornings of our colder months, I encounter few of my wild neighbors.  Cottontails scamper across ...

Ridge & Valley Province

Looking at a satellite image of North America, one's eye is drawn to a swath of parallel ridges and valleys, extending from the lower Hu...

Mt. Taylor

In late September of 1975, I caught my first glimpse of a snow-capped western mountain; it was Mt. Taylor, 11,302 feet, rising WNW of Albuqu...

The Nature of Habitat

Mention habitat and most of us think in general terms: mountains, plains, forest, wetlands.  But these large, regional landscapes are each a...

Nature's Hoarders

As the days shorten and we move toward the harsh, lean season of winter, wild creatures adapt in a variety of ways.  True hibernators, inclu...

A Surge of Summer

After two weeks of cool, dry, autumn-like weather, summer is returning to the American Heartland, courtesy of a potent storm system that fir...

Sharp-shin Season

Fairly common throughout forested areas of the U.S., sharp-shinned hawks are especially conspicuous during the months of October and Novembe...

Beluga Abuse

Yesterday, an article in the New York Times reported on the controversy related to the proposed  acquisition of 18 beluga whales by the Geor...

The Abajo Mountains

Anyone who has visited Arches or Canyonlands National Parks has surely noticed a cluster of mountains that rises to their south, towering ab...

Planet, Moon & Suns

On this dark, chilly October morning, the air was crystal clear and the night sky had the brilliance of mid winter.  Bright Venus gleamed hi...

The Value of Government

The coming U.S. Presidential election will likely be a referendum on the value of government in our lives.  Romney and his colleagues want g...

Weather Games

Not long ago, one could tune into the Weather Channel for a timely update on regional, national or international weather.  Today, its progra...

Humans & Opossums

On dark, cold, damp mornings like this, I often see an opossum waddling across our road, backlit by a street lamp.  Native to tropical regio...

Winter Strikes Back

Banished to the North Country back in February, winter has not shown its face in the American Heartland for almost eight months.  Thanks to ...

Reducing Healthcare Costs

As a hospitalist, I have witnessed a steady stream of regulations from both private and federal insurance agencies, designed to reduce the c...

Nature in her Prime

As winter loses its grip in March, nature gains momentum, spurred on by the fertility and recovery of spring.  Fragrance, color and sound re...