Mission Blue
I saw a documentary this week that was both difficult to watch at times while inspiring at others. It was called Mission Blue, featuring the legendary American marine biologists Dr. Sylvia Earl. She has spent decades (she is now 85 … Continue reading
Black-Capped Chickadees
For a while now I’ve been thinking about chickadees (long story). Then one flew into the house the other day…yep, right into the living room and up to the skylight. I managed to get the poor thing back outside without … Continue reading
Sunflowers
It is sunflower season! They are brilliant, amazing flowers, especially if you are lucky enough to come across a whole field of them…a sea of color. But if you look closer, closer, and closer still, you can appreciate the delicate … Continue reading
Behold the Dragonfly
A dragonfly visited me the other day, just outside my window. It was still in the garden when I went out for a better view. I moved closer, and closer, and closer. Minutes went by as I watched. Then I … Continue reading
Flatworms
Flatworms are generally unseen, un-celebrated critters. But there are more than 20,000 species of them and they are found just about everywhere there’s water. However, they can be hard to find because much of their life cycle is spent inside … Continue reading
Animal Flatulence
I recently came across a video called “Everything You Wanted to Know About Animal Farts.” Of course, I had to watch it. This is not something I’ve spent any time thinking about before, but I was immediately intrigued. I suppose … Continue reading
Creature Feature #5: Sidewinders
The fifth and final creature feature before the picture book science series is published on August 13, is the sidewinder snake. As I researched and wrote Water-Walking, Sidewinding, and other Remarkable Reptile Adaptations (Nomad Press, August 2020), I discovered why … Continue reading
Creature Feature #4: Blackspot Tuskfish
My appreciation of fish was, before I wrote the picture book series about animal adaptations, limited to the beautiful tropical fish I see while snorkeling. Yet as research has shown me time and time again, there is so much more … Continue reading
Creature Feature #3: Waxy Monkey Tree Frog
Sunscreen, Frogsicles, and Other Amazing Amphibian Adaptations (Nomad Press, August 2020), book 3 in the picture book science series, features the bizarre adaptations of amphibians. Like with the other books, it was difficult to decide which amphibians to include because … Continue reading
Creature Feature #2: Toucans
Another animal adaptations book in my picture book science series is about birds: Spit Nests, Puke Power, and Other Brilliant Bird Adaptations (Nomad Press, August 2020). While I’ve always liked birds, doing the research for the book gave me an … Continue reading