Sleek, shadowy, and often misunderstood, the North American black rat snake is one of those creatures that tends to appear like a slinky forest surprise: stretched across a sunny trail, coiled in a barn loft, or draped along a tree…

Along U.S. Route 67 in West Alton, Missouri, a quiet little conservation victory is unfolding beside the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

And yes, it involves turtles, traffic, tallgrass prairie, and a rock berm doing the good, muddy work.

In 2023…

When to Put Plants Outside in Spring

Are you totally lost when it comes to plant care? Confused by all the rampant plant-loving vloggers and bloggers out there and don't know who to trust? Allow me to be your guide…

Crafting Brick Books 
with a Bog Librarian

A cozy, mystical DIY for turning ordinary bricks into decorative stories you can stack anywhere—garden, porch, hearth, bookshelf, or secret little nook of your choosing.

There’s something deeply satisfying about a “book” that…

Picture this. You're traipsing through the Irish countryside, boots sinking into mossy peat. The air is cool and wet, rich with the scent of decay and growth all at once. You stoop to examine a clump of sphagnum moss and—what's…

Welcome to another twilight wander through the wonders of the wetlands. Tonight, we're chasing the flicker of magic itself—fireflies.

First things first: there’s no difference between a firefly and a lightning bug. Just two names for the same glowing marvel…

An ever-so-intricate Corona Floralis weavicus (also known as a woven floral crown) is perfect for celebrations, rituals, woodland wanderings, swampside serenades, and anywhere someone needs to look just a little more magical (or menacing). I may be a…

The Fall Equinox (or Autumnal Equinox) is a threshold moment. When day and night balance on the scales, each claiming equal time before the long slide into winter darkness. It arrives around September 21–23 in the Northern Hemisphere, marking…

Picture this: you’ve wandered near a quiet pond on a sunny day and spotted a turtle as it slips from a log back into the water with a plunk. Chances are, you’ve just spied a Pond Slider. These semi-aquatic turtles…

Hello, maximum sunshine! Why maximum, you ask? There is a special reason for that. Let's break out the sunglasses and find out exactly what the summer solstice is all about.

On or around June 20th or 21st, the Northern Hemisphere…

     I had a lot of fun with this one and I will definitely be making more of these awesome pieces. This time I’m showing you how to make your own Mossy Wall Garden. It’s great to add a little bit…

Have you ever wandered through your backyard or along a forest trail and wondered, "Can I eat this?" or "What on earth is that little flower?" — then Backyard Botanist is for you.

In each post, I guide you through…

Often misunderstood and overlooked, the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is a silent sentinel of our backyards, forests, and even city parks. As North America’s only native marsupial, this fascinating creature plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance—and it’s…

In North America, June 21 marks the longest day of the year and ushers in the start of our cherished summer season. Enter the Summer Solstice. There is a little magic and a little madness in the air. The Earth…

Did you know you're electric?

Seriously—your body hums with natural electricity. Every heartbeat, every thought, every blink of an eye—even your emotions—are powered by tiny electrical impulses carried through the nervous system. Your nervous system is a living circuit board…

   Deep within the cool, clear rivers of the Ozark Mountains lives a creature that looks like it stepped out of a fantasy novel. With wrinkled skin, stubby legs, and a flat head, the Ozark hellbender isn’t winning any beauty contests—but…

Yule tidings! 

     Hello everyone! The weather in my area has become cooler. The air is crisp, seasoned with the smell of dried leaves and fir trees. Winter is upon us. Normal life has been very demanding of me as of…

Designing An Eccentric Bookshelf: 
The Swamp Witch Edition

I love for my home to have that flooded forest swamp aesthetic. Perhaps you do too, and you've realized that even though you can imagine what you want it to look like,…

What Is Moonbathing? and Making Moon Water

So, What is Moonbathing?

Well, it's just like it sounds. Moon bathing refers to time spent basking in the moonlight in the same way sunbathing is lying in the sunshine. It is a…

   February in North America can be cold and bleak with chilling winds that make it very easy to want to remain indoors, curled up in a burrow of blankets. Honestly, that doesn't sound like a bad idea. Enjoy the…

Do you ever think about the things you wish you could do? The goals you've set before yourself? Imagine having a physical symbol of your intentions. A visual reminder of all you set out to accomplish and achieve. You can…

“So…Why Bones?”

A short story of an honest question and the search for an honest answer.

     A while back, I was in the city having dinner with a friend. This was the first casual meeting so some getting-to-know-you was in…

30 Pearls of Wisdom for Cooking 
For the everyday novice or the seasoned kitchen witch

So, I've put together some tips that will help us all in the kitchen. Nothing super fancy. Just some pearls of wisdom I've picked up…

   A kitchen staple, the cast iron skillet is an indelible part of culinary history. I don't feel as though a kitchen is complete without one. The versatility of cast iron is pretty much unmatched regarding pots and pans composed of…