When many people imagine an ideal summer, they picture distant destinations: national parks, long road trips, and dramatic landscapes far from home. Yet some of the most meaningful encounters with nature can take place much closer—along a neighborhood trail, beside a modest wetland, or in the fragment of prairie at the edge of town. With a guidebook in hand and a shift in perspective, everyday surroundings can become the setting for rich, meaningful adventures.
Nature Smart: Midwest by Stan Tekiela fits naturally into this way of traveling. Although it contains identification tips and natural-history facts, it functions less like a traditional field guide and more like a companion for seeing the familiar with new eyes. Its focus on prairies, wetlands, forests, birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and fungi encourages readers to look again at ordinary places and recognize them as living ecosystems.
The Power of Nearby Nature
Rather than centering on distance or spectacle, micro-travel emphasizes short, local excursions that fit into daily life. A half-hour walk in a nearby park, an hour at a marsh after work, or a slow exploration of a wooded ravine can become satisfying experiences when framed as encounters with real, functioning habitats.
Nature Smart: Midwest provides the ecological and behavioral context that makes these small outings feel substantial. Its sections on prairies, for example, reveal that what might appear to be an empty field is often a complex community of grasses, forbs, insects, and ground-nesting birds. Wetland chapters describe how shallow, “messy” water regulates floods; filters pollutants; and supports frogs, dragonflies, and marsh birds. Forest chapters illuminate the layered structure of canopy, understory, and forest floor, as well as the roles played by fungi, insects, and mammals in cycling nutrients.
Nature and Mental Health
For readers concerned with mental health and the pace of modern life, this style of engagement with nearby nature offers distinct advantages. Research has repeatedly shown that even small doses of time outdoors can reduce stress, improve mood, and restore attention. Micro-adventures grounded in books like Nature Smart: Midwest add an additional layer: They create cognitive and emotional connection.
Knowing that the birds heard at dawn are establishing territory, that the mushrooms after rain are fruiting bodies of a vast underground network, or that a weedy ditch is functioning as a miniature wetland changes a brief walk from “time outside” into participation in a larger story.
This narrative quality can be particularly helpful for those who struggle to slow down. Many people find it difficult to simply “relax” in nature without feeling idle or restless. Stan’s explanations—how fire renews prairies, why certain plants flower at specific times, how animals adapt to winter or darkness—offer the mind gentle focus. Attention is drawn away from internal worries and directed toward external patterns and relationships. The result is not passive distraction but a quiet form of curiosity that tends to calm the nervous system.
Lowering the Barriers to Nature
Focusing locally also reduces the barriers often associated with outdoor experiences. Extensive planning, travel costs, and the pressure to “make it worth it” can turn vacations into sources of stress. By contrast, a local outing requires minimal logistics yet still feels purposeful.
Over the course of a summer, repeated visits to the same prairie edge, pond, or woodland path allow readers to notice seasonal changes and animal behaviors over time. This familiarity often leads to a sense of belonging: the recognition that one’s own neighborhood is part of a living landscape rather than a backdrop.
The book’s broad coverage of organisms—from birds and mammals to insects, amphibians, reptiles, and fungi—also supports a more inclusive view of nature. Instead of reserving wonder for rare species or spectacular vistas, Nature Smart: Midwest highlights the importance of common animals and overlooked habitats.
Backyard birds become case studies in migration, nesting, and song. Ant hills and spider webs illustrate complex social structures and hunting strategies. Mushrooms and soil organisms reveal the hidden processes that keep forests and grasslands functioning. This emphasis can quietly shift attitudes from indifference or fear toward respect and stewardship.
Seeing these connections often replaces a sense of helplessness with a more balanced mix of concern, appreciation, and agency. Readers can better understand how small actions—supporting habitat-friendly practices, reducing chemical use, protecting local green spaces—fit into a larger picture.
A Summer That Lasts All Year
In this way, a summer spent with Nature Smart: Midwest is not only about recreation. It is about cultivating a sustained relationship with the nearby natural world—one that supports mental well-being, encourages slower and more attentive living, and deepens understanding of how even small patches of habitat contribute to the health of larger ecosystems.
This book supports the idea that meaningful adventure does not depend on distance. It can be found in the next park over, at the edge of a retention pond, or along a familiar trail walked with a new awareness that the land, and its countless inhabitants, are telling stories all summer long—and well beyond.
Stan Tekiela is an author, naturalist, and photographer who travels extensively to study and capture images of wildlife. He can be followed on www.instagram.com and www.facebook.com. He can be contacted via his webpage at www.naturesmart.com.
When the weather heats up, many kitchens become the last place anyone wants to be. Turning on the oven or standing over a hot stove can make you feel even warmer and more uncomfortable. Still, most people want more than takeout or a plain salad at the end of the day. They want food that feels fresh, homemade, and satisfying—without adding extra heat.
Some Assembly Required shows how no‑cook meals can deliver all of that, with less effort and no time at the stove.
Simple Assembly, No Cooking
The heart of no‑cook meals is simple: Focus on assembly instead of traditional cooking. This approach relies on tossing, layering, and mixing, rather than frying or baking.
Many of the recipes in Some Assembly Required start with ingredients people already buy:
Rotisserie chicken
Canned beans and lentils
Prewashed salad greens
Smoked fish and deli meats
Jarred roasted peppers, olives, and artichokes
These staples are turned into colorful and healthy salads, wraps, grain bowls, tostadas, and more. Short ingredient lists and clear steps mean dinner can be ready in minutes instead of hours.
Cool Meals for Hot Days and Gatherings
On hot days, even thinking about heating up the oven can feel exhausting. No‑cook meals solve this problem by leaning on the fridge, pantry, and fresh produce instead of the stove.
Bright salsas and creamy dips made in a blender or food processor
Shrimp cocktails and chilled seafood salads built from precooked proteins
Fresh, crunchy salads and lettuce wraps that stay crisp
Make‑ahead chilled soups and desserts
These dishes are perfect for potlucks, picnics, and backyard parties because they travel well and can often be prepared hours before guests arrive. Big‑batch drinks like agua frescas, iced punches, and light cocktails add a cool, festive touch without extra heat or stress.
Using Pantry Staples and Leftovers Wisely
A key part of no‑cook meals is learning to use what’s already on hand. This cookbook offers tips for building a smart pantry with items such as:
Canned beans, tuna, and salmon
Whole grains like quinoa, farro, and rice
Nuts, seeds, and nut butters
Jarred vegetables and pickles
These ingredients become the base for fast meals that do not require turning on the stove. Leftover meats, herbs, and random vegetables from the crisper drawer are turned into salads, wraps, bowls, and dips, helping cut down on food waste.
Instructions are flexible, with lots of options like “use any cooked grain you have” or “swap in your favorite beans.” This relaxed style lowers the pressure and makes it easier to experiment and learn.
Cooler Kitchens, Lower Bills, Better Meals
Because these recipes skip cooking, they keep kitchens cooler and can help lower energy bills. Chilled soups, hearty salads, grain bowls, and no‑bake snacks rely on the fridge more than the oven.
In the end, Some Assembly Required proves that amazing no‑cook meals are possible, even on the hottest days. With smart shortcuts, fresh ingredients, and simple directions, anyone can enjoy homemade food without heating up the whole house.
A cavity in a tree, excavated by a woodpecker, seems normal enough. But when you stop to think about it, this simple space is absolutely remarkable. Today, let’s take a closer look at the humble woodpecker cavity.
Eastern screech-owl, taken in southern Minnesota
According to the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), there are 241 species of woodpeckers in the world. Here in America, we have 22 species of woodpeckers, ranging from the small downy woodpecker to the giant pileated woodpecker. All these woodpeckers have one thing in common: They all excavate cavities to use for nesting. Because of this, woodpeckers are considered primary cavity-nesting birds. In other words, woodpeckers are the primary users of the cavities that they excavate; however, there are an estimated 75–80 species of non-woodpeckers that also rely on these cavities to nest. These birds are called secondary cavity nesters, and their very existence depends upon woodpeckers. A study published in 2017 found that nearly 20% of all bird species in the world rely on cavities in trees, for roosting or nesting.
Most woodpeckers only use the cavities that they excavate for one brood of young birds. Woodpeckers excavate in dead or dying trees with just a few exceptions. Live trees/wood are too dense and hard for the woodpeckers to excavate. Over the life span of the cavity, it may host dozens of families of baby birds from a wide variety of secondary cavity nesters.
Depending upon the woodpecker species, or the softness of the wood, it takes anywhere from 4 to 20 days for a pair of woodpeckers to excavate a cavity. I say “a pair” because both the male and female do the work. It all depends upon the level of decay in the wood. Obviously, the softer the wood, the faster the process goes. Only a small handful of woodpecker species excavate cavities in live trees. The overwhelming majority are excavated in dead trees or dead limbs of live trees.
In the world of woodpeckers, parenting duties are shared by both adults. Cavities are excavated by both male and female, but the male does slightly more work. When it comes to incubation, the female does most of the incubating during the day, and the male takes the night shift. After the young hatch, both parents bring food to the begging babies.
So many of our most beloved birds—eastern bluebirds and mountain bluebirds—as well as raptors—American kestrels and screech-owls—are dependent upon large woodpecker cavities. In one recent study, it was found that, of all the cavities found in a forest, only 10% of the natural cavities were being used, but 80% of old woodpecker cavities were being utilized by secondary cavity-nesting birds. I think many people do not realize that several waterfowl species, such as hooded mergansers, wood ducks, and buffleheads, also depend upon cavities in trees to nest.
So far, I have been concentrating on nesting and haven’t considered the value of woodpecker cavities for roosting at night. Many species of birds who don’t use cavities for nesting will use a nest cavity for a place to be safe and warm when roosting, especially on long, cold winter nights. Many studies show the benefits of roosting inside cavities compared to being out on a tree branch, which leaves birds vulnerable to nocturnal predators like owls.
And speaking of owls, all the species of screech-owls use woodpecker cavities to nest and also roost, except they roost during the day. All of this was running through my head the other day while I was capturing some images and video of a wonderful eastern screech-owl that I found enjoying a little sunshine on a cold winter day in the northland. Until next time…
Stan Tekiela is an author, naturalist, and photographer who travels extensively to study and capture images of wildlife. He can be followed on www.instagram.com and www.facebook.com. He can be contacted via his webpage at www.naturesmart.com.
Exciting New Nature Books from Stan Tekiela: Birds, Nature Smart, and Field Guides to Reptiles and Mammals!
Renowned naturalist and author Stan Tekiela is launching several new books—perfect for exploring the Midwest and beyond. Get the scoop on these upcoming releases, including the latest addition to the Kids’ Guide to Birds series, Nature Smart, Reptiles & Amphibians of the Midwest Field Guide, and two from the Mammals series.
Kids’ Guide to Birds Series: Now Featuring Virginia!
Stan’s popular Kids’ Guide to Birds series expands this season with the Kids’ Guide to Birds of Virginia, releasing in October 2025. This series is beloved for making bird-watching fun and accessible for young explorers and their families.
What’s New in the Virginia Edition:
86 of the most common and important Virginia birds
Organized by color for quick-and-easy identification
Full-color photographs and a full page of information for each species
Field marks, range maps, and Stan’s cool facts
Fun activities like building birdhouses and making bird food
With the addition of Virginia, even more families can enjoy bird-watching adventures and learn about their state’s feathered friends.
Introducing Nature Smart
Nature Smart: Midwest: Discovering the Natural World Around You will captivate readers with its immersive exploration of the Midwest’s prairies, wetlands, and woodlands. Stan’s engaging, science-based storytelling and practical advice make this book a must-have for families, educators, and anyone eager to become a more mindful naturalist.
Key Features:
Multisensory approach to nature exploration
Activities and tips for all ages
Focus on Midwest ecosystems and conservation
Inspires curiosity and environmental stewardship
Nature Smart: Midwest is the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to see nature through new eyes and become an active participant in environmental preservation.
Reptiles & Amphibians of the Midwest Field Guide
Releasing in June 2026, the Reptiles & Amphibians of the Midwest Field Guide is your essential companion for identifying turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, and other reptiles and amphibians across the Midwest.
Highlights:
Over 130 species found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Organized by group and size for quick, accurate identification
Full-color photographs, including variations, bellies, and juveniles
Detailed range maps and croaking charts
Stan’s Notes with fascinating facts and natural history
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fan of herpetology, this new series will help you confidently identify and appreciate the Midwest’s diverse reptile and amphibian life.
Who is Stan Tekiela? Stan Tekiela is a leading naturalist, wildlife photographer, and author of over 190 field guides and nature books, specializing in North American wildlife.
What makes Stan Tekiela’s field guides unique? Each guide features user-friendly organization, full-color photographs, detailed range maps, and practical tips for accurate identification—making them ideal for beginners and experts alike.
Are these guides suitable for families and children? Absolutely! Each series is designed for accessibility, with clear language, engaging photos, and practical tips for all ages.
Why Choose Stan Tekiela’s New Nature Books?
Expertise: Decades of experience as a naturalist and wildlife photographer
Region-Specific: Focused on the Midwest and Virginia, plus many more
Visual Learning: Stunning, accurate photography and easy-to-read maps
Family-Friendly: Activities, fun facts, and clear organization for all ages
Get Ready to Explore with Stan Tekiela
Don’t miss out! Whether you’re planning a family hike, a solo adventure, or a classroom project, Stan’s new guides will help you discover and identify the amazing wildlife of your region. Pre-order today, share this post with fellow nature lovers, and subscribe for more updates on the best new field guides and nature books!
Ruby-throated hummingbird male, taken in central Minnesota
Bird migration is still one of nature’s most interesting-yet-mysterious events. On the surface, migration seems rather simple and straightforward, but if you stop and take a detailed look, you will see it offers every shade of complexity possible.
There are over 11,000 species of birds, and about 40% partake in some form of migration. Migrations range from simple elevational changes for species that live in the mountains, to short-distance movements to avoid unfavorable weather, to long-distance trips to warm climates to escape winter, to the granddaddy of them all—migration from one end of the Earth to the other. Right away, you can see there is more to migration than perhaps you thought.
In the 1800s, we didn’t understand much about migration. We thought it was impossible for a tiny bird to navigate over great distances and endure huge physical demands, so we said it was impossible and we came up with our own ideas to explain the unexplainable. It was thought that hummingbirds had to migrate on the backs of geese, in order for them to escape winter. We also said that some birds dove down to the bottom of ponds and overwintered in the mud. These kinds of theories now seem preposterous and outlandish. Yet at the time, they were accepted as fact.
In the 1900s, we started to develop new ways to study birds. Some of the earliest attempts to track migration involved catching a bird and tying a brightly colored ribbon on its wing, in hopes of being able to find the bird again during winter. This wasn’t very efficient, and one had to have an idea of where the bird stayed for the winter already to make this work.
When transistors were invented in the 1940s, the breakthrough made small electronics possible. By the end of the 1900s, small devices were used to track the migration of free-flying birds. This was the beginning of our better understanding of bird migration, but it was just the tip of the migration iceberg.
In just the past few decades, so much new—and almost unbelievable—information about bird migration has completely turned our understanding of migration upside down. Today, there are many ways to track migrating birds. One of these migration tracking tools is a website called Bird Cast from Cornell Lab. It can be found at www.birdcast.org. All you need to do is put in your county and state; then, each day during the migration season, you can see how many birds passed over your county on the previous night.
There is a ton of information available to anyone who is curious about what is going on with migration. In addition to the tally of birds migrating through your county, there is also information about what time they migrated, the timing of each nightly flight, along with flight direction and altitude. The site also has a list of the expected species that should be migrating.
For example, as I write this, 97,400 birds passed over my county last night, and at one given moment last night, 36,400 birds were in flight, traveling SSW at 14 mph, at an altitude of 600 feet, all at one time. In order to gather all this data, Bird Cast uses data from the national network of weather surveillance radars (NEXRAD). Sophisticated algorithms and machine-learning models are applied to the radar data to separate weather, such as precipitation, from biological signals (the birds). It then analyzes the strength of the radar signals to estimate the number of birds that are flying. Just like with weather, the data is used to give migration forecasts to predict nocturnal bird migration for the next few nights.
We sure have come a long way in our understanding of bird migration, unlocking some of the most mysterious natural events of nature. However, no doubt, there is so much more we don’t understand about bird migration, and we will surely learn more in the years to come. Until next time…
Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels extensively to study and capture images of wildlife. He can be followed on www.instagram.com and www.facebook.com. He can be contacted via his website www.naturesmart.com.
Ruddy duck male in flight, taken in central Minnesota
When I go out to photograph wildlife, I usually have a specific species of critter in mind. The best images are typically the ones that I envision ahead of time, then carefully plan and execute. There isn’t anything left to chance. I make sure that I go to the spots or areas where the species is most abundant, and I go at the time of year when I can expect to see the critter in good numbers. I also make sure to go at the time of day the critter is most active. This usually involves knowing the critter’s biology, habits, food preferences, and so much more.
I think it’s a common misconception that wildlife photographers just wander around, hoping to get lucky. Or they stand in the woods for hours and hours waiting for something to transpire right in front of them. Honestly, this might work, but the odds are very low. The best photographers are focused, pun not intended, on a specific species and are actively working to obtain an image.
Having said that, every now and then, while I’m out trying to photograph a specific species, another unrelated species presents itself. This is exactly what happened this spring. I was out photographing western grebes—a bird that requires planning just to see it, let alone photograph it—when a duck species that I normally don’t see was busy courting a female nearby. It was a ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis).
The ruddy duck is one of six species of “stiff-tailed ducks” in the genus Oxyura. They are found in North and South America. They breed mostly in the western half of the country, extending as far east as the Great Lakes. Their common name comes from the rusty red breeding plumage of the male.
It is a small, round, compact duck. The male is rusty or chestnut brown with a striking black cap and white cheeks. One of the most outstanding features is the male’s large, bright-blue bill. It also has a set of dark, nearly black, stiff tail feathers that it cocks straight up while swimming around and displaying. Only a handful of duck species have these specialized tail feathers, and the ruddy is the only one in North America. While I’m at it, I mentioned this bird’s large sky-blue bill. Hunters commonly refer to lesser and greater scaups as blue bills. If there was a species that should be called blue bill, it’s the ruddy duck! Just one look at the male and you will understand what I’m saying.
Ruddy duck male bubbling, taken in central Minnesota
Similar to the feathers of blue jays and bluebirds, there isn’t any blue pigment in the bill of the male. In spring, hormones cause the growth of a thin layer of cells over the dark bill. These cells, along with the dark layer below, absorb all the wavelengths of sunlight and reflect back to our eyes only the blue color light. As a result, we see a blue bill.
While I was out photographing, I noticed a single male ruddy duck and one female near the edge of the cattails. The male was busy showing off to the female. Male ruddy ducks perform a very distinct and unusual drumming of their lower bill (mandible) against their chest feathers. The duck hits its bill on its chest hard enough to produce a “drumming” sound. The physical act of drumming its lower bill against its chest also sends a torrent of bubbles in the water, right in front of the displaying male. This display is known as “bubbling.”
It is not very common to see ruddy ducks flying. They migrate during the night, and they don’t fly around much during the day; however, I got lucky enough to see this lone male ruddy duck take a couple of laps around the wetland before coming back and landing. Ruddies don’t fly very high, but they fly fast. Combine that with the fact that they are very small ducks, and you see how they’re challenging subjects for capturing images in flight.
This male took flight three times, each time flying far enough away for me to lose sight of it. After a few minutes, it would come flying back in like a rocket. It would cruise just above the cattails; when it reached open water, it would drop down and fly directly over the water. This allowed me to capture some fabulous, eye-level images of this most remarkable duck in flight. Sometimes you go out specifically to capture one species and come home with something completely different. This is one of the joys of wildlife photography. Until next time…
Stan Tekiela is an author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer who travels extensively to capture images of wildlife. He can be contacted through his website www.naturesmart.com.
Each spring, as the migration of birds sweeps across North America, another movement takes flight—one that is transforming the face of conservation and outdoors culture: Black Birders Week. What began in 2020 as a response to the racism experienced by Black naturalists and birders, most notably the Central Park bird-watching incident involving Christian Cooper, has blossomed into a vibrant annual celebration of Black joy, expertise, and community in the outdoors.
Black Birders Week is more than a social media campaign. It is a call for visibility and inclusion, with a weeklong series of events, panels, and bird walks highlighting the experiences and contributions of Black birders, scientists, and nature enthusiasts. With hashtags like #BlackBirdersWeek and #BlackInNature, participants share stories, photos, and educational resources, challenging stereotypes and opening doors for the next generation.
The Importance of Representation
Seeing someone who looks like you in a field you love can be transformative. This theme is powerfully explored in People the Planet Needs Now, edited by Dudley Edmondson. The book is a tapestry of voices from the Global Majority—activists, scientists, and community leaders—who share their journeys at the intersection of environmental justice and social equity. Among them is Corina Newsome, a wildlife biologist and one of the co-organizers of Black Birders Week.
Corina’s story, like those of many contributors, underscores the barriers faced by Black and Brown people in conservation and STEM fields. She writes about the lack of representation in her early career and the impact of mentorship from leaders like Dr. Brian Davis, who advocated for paid internships and greater inclusivity in conservation. Corina’s hope is that, through visibility and advocacy, young Black children who love wildlife will grow up expecting to see Black biologists in the field—not being surprised by it.
Another inspiring figure featured in People the Planet Needs Now is Jason Hall, a biochemist and founder of the In Color Birding Club in Philadelphia. Jason’s mission is to open the birding and outdoors space to BIPOC birders, not only for the mental and physical benefits but also for the sheer joy of birding itself. He challenges the traditional culture of birding by emphasizing fun, learning, and community over perfection and posturing. Jason’s inclusive approach creates welcoming spaces where people of color can experience the outdoors without the pressure of “getting everything right,” and where misidentifying a bird is simply an opportunity to learn together.
Dudley Edmondson: Bird Enthusiast, Photographer, and Trailblazer
No discussion of Black Birders Week or the movement for diversity in birding would be complete without highlighting the work and legacy of Dudley Edmondson himself. Based in Duluth, Minnesota, Dudley is an acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, author, and presenter whose passion for birds and the outdoors has inspired countless people across the country.
Dudley’s love for birds is not just a personal hobby—it’s a lifelong mission to connect people, especially those from underrepresented communities, to the wonders of the natural world. He often speaks about the power of bird-watching as a gateway to environmental stewardship, and his workshops and presentations encourage new birders to pick up their binoculars and cameras, regardless of their backgrounds.
For over three decades, Dudley has been capturing the beauty and diversity of birds through his lens; his photographs have been featured in galleries and publications around the world. His keen eye for avian subjects is matched by his commitment to making the outdoors more inclusive. Dudley’s landmark book, Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places, was one of the first to spotlight the stories of African Americans in nature and conservation. This groundbreaking work earned him an invitation to the White House for the signing of America’s Great Outdoors Initiative during the Obama Administration.
As the editor of People the Planet Needs Now, Dudley continues to amplify the voices of BIPOC conservationists, birders, and scientists. His work on the board of the Bell Museum of Natural History and the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council further demonstrates his dedication to conservation and education.
Alex Troutman: From Spark Bird to Author
Another prominent voice in both People the Planet Needs Now and the Critters series is Alex Troutman, a wildlife biologist whose passion for nature was ignited by his “spark bird”—the red-tailed hawk. Alex’s journey is a testament to the power of early exposure and encouragement. In Critters of Georgia, he shares not only his expertise on the state’s diverse wildlife but also his dedication to making nature accessible and welcoming for all, especially children from minority and low-income backgrounds.
Alex is also a co-organizer of Black Birders Week and several other “Black in X” initiatives, including Black Mammalogists Week and Black in Marine Science Week. Through these movements, he and his colleagues are building community, celebrating Black scientists, and encouraging diversity in STEAM fields. Alex knows what it feels like to not see individuals who look like you, or come from a similar background, doing the things you enjoy or working in the career that you aspire to be in. He makes a point not only to be that representation for the younger generation, but also to make sure that kids have exposure to the careers they are interested in and the diverse scientists working in those careers.
Building a More Inclusive Outdoors
Black Birders Week is not just about birds—it’s about belonging. It’s about challenging the historical and cultural barriers that have excluded Black and Brown people from natural spaces, as well as reclaiming the narrative that nature is for everyone. As Dudley Edmondson’s anthology reminds us, environmental justice and social equity are deeply intertwined. The stories of Corina Newsome, Alex Troutman, and others show that when we center marginalized voices, we not only enrich the conservation movement but also inspire hope and action for a more just and sustainable future. Remember the words of these authors and advocates: Representation matters, community matters, and everyone deserves a place in nature’s story.
For whatever reason, some wild animals are near and dear to people’s hearts. They have a universal appeal, resulting in admiration across the masses. For example, many are obsessed with owls. Any kind of owl. Big ones, small ones, it really doesn’t matter.
The same can be said for other wild critters, such as otters. For whatever reason, everyone seems to love otters. This was on full display last week while I was leading a photographic tour of bald eagles and sea otters in Alaska. For five days, my small group of photographers spent 6 hours a day photographing bald eagles and sea otters.
There are 13 species of otters in the world, ranging in size from the small-clawed otter, which is less than 3 feet long, to the giant otter, which stretches 6 feet long. All otters are semiaquatic or marine mammals in the Weasel family. They can be found on every continent, except for Antarctica and Australia.
The sea otter (Enhyrda lutri) is the heaviest of the otter species. Males can weigh upwards of 100 pounds. Females are noticeably smaller. This makes sea otters the heaviest of the Weasel family but also makes them one of the smallest of all the marine mammals. When you get up close to a sea otter, you notice right away that they are very large animals, reaching 4-5 feet long, including their short tail.
They live in cold ocean environments, and their primary form of insulation from the cold water is not fat but, rather, fur. They have an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. They have up to 1 million hairs per square inch covering their body. The density of the fur prevents water from reaching the body. Otters have two layers of fur: a dense underfur for insulation and longer guard hair that helps keep water off the underfur.
Sea otters lack blubber, a fatty layer that is common in other marine mammals. Pups are born with a buoyant coat of fur that helps them float. However, this very fur almost killed off the sea otter. Starting in the mid-1700s, sea otters were killed for their fur. By the mid-1900s, populations were down to only 1,000 to 1,500 total animals alive. It was believed that the sea otter would become extinct due to uncontrolled trapping. Recovery has been slow, and now there are small populations in 13 regions around the world, from Japan to Russia, British Columbia, California, and Alaska.
To maintain their warmth and life in the ocean, sea otters consume at least 20% of their body weight in marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, sea cucumbers, mollusks, clams, and mussels. Surprisingly, unlike river otters, fish are not a big part of their diet, although they occasionally eat birds such as loons and grebes.
Like others in the Mustelid family, sea otters reproduce at any time of year. This means that young otters are born even in the middle of winter. We spent many days on a boat looking for the sea otters and found several mothers with babies, which made for some adorable images. When we approached in the boat, the mother otters seemed to be more curious than cautious. They floated around on their backs, holding their babies to their chests with their front paws. Using a very long lens, we were able to capture some intimate moments between mother otters and pups. Until next time…
Stan Tekiela is an author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer who travels extensively to study and photograph wildlife. He can be followed on www.instagram.com and www.facebook.com. He can be contacted via his website at www.naturesmart.com.
If you’re already a follower of the wide variety of nature-focused titles from Adventure Publications, prepare to experience the great outdoors in an entirely new way with the Sam Rivers Mystery series by Cary J. Griffith. This captivating collection combines the thrill of well-crafted mysteries with the author’s deep knowledge of wildlife and wilderness settings, creating a reading experience that’s as educational as it is entertaining.
Sam Rivers isn’t your typical mystery protagonist. As a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service special agent, he brings a unique perspective to criminal investigations. His expertise in wildlife management and conservation adds an authentic layer to these page-turning narratives. Sam’s faithful companion, Gray, a wolf-dog hybrid with keen instincts, accompanies him on his adventures, creating a dynamic duo that readers can’t help but root for.
What sets these mysteries apart is the author’s remarkable ability to transform natural landscapes into characters themselves. From the dense forests of Minnesota to the rugged bluffs of the Driftless region, each setting is rendered with such vivid detail that you can almost feel the crunch of leaves underfoot or hear the rustle of wildlife in the underbrush. Cary doesn’t just describe these environments, he immerses you in them, making the wilderness both a backdrop and a vital element of each investigation.
Each book in the series features a distinct wildlife theme that serves as both plot device and powerful metaphor. In Wolf Kill, the predator-prey dynamics of wolf packs mirror the hunter-hunted relationship between investigator and killer. Cougar Claw explores the elusive, solitary nature of mountain lions as a reflection of isolated human communities harboring secrets. Killing Monarchs uses the fragility and miraculous migration of monarch butterflies to symbolize vulnerable victims and the far-reaching consequences of exploitation. Dead Catch employs the harsh survival conditions of Minnesota winters and the untamed waters of Lake Vermilion as a metaphor for human resilience and adaptation. Throughout the series, Cary masterfully uses these natural elements not merely as backdrop but as profound symbolism that enhances the thematic depth of each mystery, demonstrating how the laws of nature often parallel the darker aspects of human behavior.
The series appeals to a wide range of readers. Outdoors enthusiasts will appreciate the authentic portrayal of natural environments. Wildlife conservationists will value the educational aspects woven throughout the narratives. And mystery lovers will be drawn into the intricately plotted investigations that challenge both Sam’s intellect and wilderness skills.
Rattlesnake Bluff: The Latest Sam Rivers Adventure
In the upcoming Rattlesnake Bluff, the fifth installment in the series, Cary delivers his most compelling mystery yet. When an endangered rattlesnake is discovered at a construction site in southeastern Minnesota, Sam Rivers is called to investigate what initially appears to be an environmental issue. However, the situation takes a sinister turn when the investigation unearths human remains buried decades ago. As Sam delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets connecting the rattlesnake, the remains of two children, and a series of present-day murders. The narrative expertly weaves together themes of environmental conservation, the weight of past actions, and the complexity of human nature. Featuring Cary’s signature blend of suspenseful storytelling and rich environmental detail, Rattlesnake Bluffpresents Sam with his most dangerous challenge yet—one that puts both him and his loyal companion Gray in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer determined to keep the past buried. This latest addition to the series showcases why Jeffrey B. Burton, award-winning author, describes it as a “rollicking page-turner“ in which “Special Agent Sam Rivers finds himself on the endangered species list.“
For AdventureKEEN readers looking to expand their appreciation of the natural world through the lens of gripping fiction, the Sam Rivers Mystery series offers the perfect blend of outdoors adventure and suspenseful storytelling that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
