by Julian D. Kreider, 9 | Mar 2, 2022 | 2022, 03 March, Articles & Stories, Birds, Contest, Crows, Jays, & Magpies, Hawks, Eagles, & Kites, Sparrows, Thrushes, Woodpeckers, Wrens
Red-tailed Hawk. Photo © Julian Kreider. When I was looking through the September Nature Friend, I saw the Birding with Friends Contest. I thought it would be interesting to try. I decided to make my circle in a brushy place on our six-acre property. I picked Monday,...
by Rebecca Martin, East Earl, PA | Mar 2, 2022 | 2022, 03 March, Articles & Stories, Contest, Mailbox, Mammals
Striped Skunks. Photo © Dreamstime.com. The majestic moon climbs silently over the dark forest and hills, shining its silver light upon the peaceful woodland. Deep inside a hollow log, a night creature stirs and stretches its sleepy limbs. Rising on her padded paws,...
by Andrew Weber, 13 | Mar 1, 2022 | 2022, 03 March, Articles & Stories, Contest, Mammals
An eerie howl rose and fell with the aurora borealis that danced across the midnight sky. The great arctic wolf howled long and loud, driving shivers up the spines of any small animals that heard him. It was time for the wolf pups to go on their first hunting trip.The...
by Janice Troyer | Feb 8, 2022 | 2022, 02 February, Articles & Stories, Contest, Crustaceans & Mollusks, Saltwater, Water Life
It was morning on the seashore. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, sending a warm glow over the dozens of little waves at its feet. The sea gulls were already calling and swooping over the sand and water.From his tight little crevice in between two rocks about...
by Matthias Ostrowski, 13 | Feb 1, 2022 | 2022, 02 February, Articles & Stories, Contest, Mammals
Bobcat. Photo © iStock.com. Tracker, the Bobcat, prowled through the woods. Yellow sunlight streamed through bare branches in the forest. Mist stuck to his pelt. Pangs of hunger stung his stomach like a wasp. It was getting to be late February, and he needed food—and...
by Mark Hochstetler, 16 | Dec 31, 2021 | 2022, 01 January, Ants, Articles & Stories, Bees & Flies, Insects & Arachnids
by Glenda Newswanger | Dec 9, 2021 | 2021, 12 December, Articles & Stories, Birds, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl. Photo © Glenda Newswanger. Sammy Screech-Owl glided on silent wings through the dark night. His stomach growled in anticipation of a fresh meal. His sharp ears caught the muffled scratching of mice beneath a stack of firewood.No hope there, for...
by Stella Maris, 12 | Dec 8, 2021 | 2021, 12 December, Articles & Stories, Mammals
Sea otter. Photo © Jean Edouard Rozey/Dreamstime.com. Otter floated on her back, basking in the warm sunlight. The sea was blue, the sky was blue, and she could see the coast of Alaska off in the distance.Everything was mostly quiet, but there was a strange whirring...
by Darnel, Marilyn, and Jessica Weaver | Dec 1, 2021 | 2021, 12 December, Articles & Stories, Birds, Crows, Jays, & Magpies, Falcons & Caracaras
Peregrine Falcon. Photo © Brian Kushner/Dreamstime.com. Fingers of sunlight crawled into the sky before an orange ball peeped from behind the horizon. Soon a dazzling array of pinks, lavenders, and other delicate pastels spread across the sky. The river continued its...