Ophiuchus is a large constellation that lies high in the southern sky on midsummer evenings…
Articles & Stories
Rare Ross’s
Would it still be there? We were on the road again chasing a rare bird. As always, the closer you get, the more afraid you are it has left.
Don’t Be an Alpine Giant…
I’d recommend you not being the tallest giant around in the afternoon, and maybe skip crawling into a mountain lion’s lair….
Wondernose: What birds lay and incubate their eggs in the dead of winter?
What bird in its right mind would want to sit on eggs in sub-zero weather, trying to keep both the eggs and itself warm?
Predator vs. Prey
A few of the amazing defense mechanisms God gave animals…
Underwater Songbird
You know it’s a dipper when it lands on a rock and bounces up and down as if to shake off the cold water, then plunges straight into the frigid stream…
Exploring Nature, July 2025
What are noctilucent clouds? Nature highlights for July!
Salts & Optics
You have tasted sodium chloride (table salt), but have you ever seen any salts under a microscope?
A Huge Finger
Even though the largest pillar only looks like a curling finger of dust, it is a gigantic four light-years long from the top to the bottom…
In Our Skies, July and August 2025
With the Milky Way coming into a favorable position for evening viewing, all kinds of fun features are out there to be viewed…
Water Garden for Wildlife
Your dream stream doesn’t need to be just a dream. Bring it right to your yard!
To Capture Lightning
Ahh, lightning! An in-cloud starburst streak! Had I finally uncovered the secret to those photos I so admired?
Draco
Draco isn’t heavily populated with great telescopic targets, but the double stars and deep sky objects that do lie within the constellation’s boundaries are widely varied…
Let’s Take a Hike ~ Summer
Come along with me on a summer outing. We’ll drive up to our mountain forest and pasture land…
Flying Gems
On May 22, I saw it—a black swallowtail afloat on the breeze. Now was the time.