Helping people enjoy the natural world around them

Whale Tales

August 20, 2012 by Shari in Great places, Other critters, Things to do

We just can’t stay off the boat. Last Friday, a lovely summer day, we were back on board the American Princess anticipating fun and marine adventure.

Farm Livin'

July 23, 2012 by Shari in Buds, Things to do

I'm able play dress up (or more accurately, dress down) and pretend at my little urban farm in Brooklyn, growing some of my own food, and nurturing my ever-increasing respect for those who actually farm for a living.

War Games

July 16, 2012 by Shari in Bugs

I have seen the enemy and it has compound eyes and six legs. Right now, a war is on against a few members of the class Insecta. This crafty enemy is armed with efficient mouth parts and, shall we say, energetic reproductive systems. I am outgunned.

Duck Soup

July 12, 2012 by Shari in Birds, Great places, Things to do

To know me is to know I love nature, particularly birds, and especially ducks. Of all our dabblers and divers, my favorite remains the very common Mallard. Few things bring me as much joy and peace as watching the birds we grew up toddling after at a local duck pond. So you can imagine my bliss when we spotted 10 freshly-hatched ducklings at my wonderful workplace, Queens Botanical Garden.

Under the Bridge

June 13, 2012 by Shari in Great places, Other critters, Things to do

We love acronyms to label neighborhoods. TriBeCa, NoLIta, SoHo, DuMBO. Let me add a new one for my recent hotspot: DUCBBBO or Down Under the Cross Bay Boulevard Bridge Overpass.

Hometown Pride or, Queens -- We've Got Good Stuff!

June 03, 2012 by Shari in Great places, Things to do

No secret here -- I can wax poetic about city life and I'm particularly eager to talk about nature in my fair city. Sure, those big national parks are great but where else can you see endangered bird species AND catch a Broadway play all in one day?

The Undiscovered Country

May 18, 2012 by Shari in Birds, Buds, Great places, Other critters, Things to do, Writing

Like a planet in a faraway galaxy, my most local wildlife area was essentially light years away. I can see Willow Lake, part of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, from my apartment window.

Up a Creek

May 14, 2012 by Shari in Birds, Great places, Things to do

River, lake, estuary, fjord – these conjure majestic, pristine waterways. But I have a particular affection for the lowly creek. Like the black sheep of the family, the creek is not savored or preserved. It’s usually the place to dump things, and the place you don’t want to live near.

Garden Companions

April 30, 2012 by Shari in Birds, Buds, Bugs, Other critters

I was being watched. Every move I made, he was there. But I wasn’t worried – my harmless voyeur was an American Robin.

Life on the Farm

April 24, 2012 by Shari in Birds, Buds, Things to do

I received my first diary for Christmas when I was eight. Writing was never a bother, but I never took to the practice of recording the happenings of each day despite my good intentions. Now I'm trying to change my ways by keeping a diary for the sake of my garden, to have an annual record of planting dates, vegetable yields, chores, and other such minutiae.

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