What made that hole? I wondered. There in the lily pad leaf was a quarter-sized hole. To satisfy my curiosity, I lifted an edge of the lily pad.
Articles & Stories
Pop Goes the Weasel
“Wait. Come back!” I said softly. Not really expecting anything to happen, as wild animals march to their own beat, I was shocked when the weasel turned around and headed back toward me…
In Our Skies, September and October 2025
Astronomy highlights for September and October 2025
Binocular Observing
I always carry my binoculars when I’m out under the stars, even when I’m primarily using a telescope. Over the years, I’ve discovered that even a modest handheld binocular like the Vortex Viper HD 10×42 I use can reveal a wide range…
Saving Seeds
Saving seeds from my favorite varieties has become an inexpensive way to get those armloads of flowers and buckets of veggies each summer without buying dozens of seed packets…
Zooming to New Heights
Several years back, my brother bought me my latest lens as a surprise birthday gift after I mentioned that I was considering a lens suitable for capturing larger sizes of the moon. Little did I know that it would be that lens which would catapult my photography to new heights…
Lyra
Lyra, the Harp, is a small constellation that lies almost straight overhead on August evenings in the mid-northern latitudes…
For the Birds
I decided this would be a good day to start our bird search. It was surprising how many birds there were when we began to focus on seeing them…
From the Editor’s Quill, August 2025
Some of you commented on how many birds there are all around us, once we set our minds to thinking about them. Just how many there are still boggles my mind…
Wondernose: What animal can only walk backwards?
Before we go any farther, I will add another hint for our riddle: the word “lion” is included in this animal’s name…
Nice-looking Weeds? In the Flower Beds?
I like weeds—for good reason I think. It’s because I see so many incredibly interesting things when I’m among the weeds. But the problem is, I like the looks of weeded flower beds and garden…
The Silent Dance of the Luna Moth
On a peaceful spring evening, as the sun descended behind the towering maples and oaks of Pennsylvania’s deciduous forest, I witnessed one of nature’s most enchanting displays…
Using a Small-animal Studio
The frisky little chipmunk paused by a log to eat a morsel of food. From only two or three feet away, I was clicking photos of the rambunctious chipmunk!
My Garden Bench
Little did I know that the broken swing seat would become one of my favorite garden features ever…
Creating a 3-D Resin Bloom
Today, we’re going to create a burgundy resin flower suspended in a clear resin coaster…