Nature Guys

Bob chats with Leigh Ann Henion about her new book Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and other Marvels of the dark. Related Episode: Gardening for Moths with Jim McCormac Our sources for this episode include: Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion

Gia and Bob are once again excited about the arrival of the 17 year periodic cicadas. In 2025 it is Brood XIV that we welcome back. We hope to inspire you to either love cicadas or maybe just hate them a little less. Bob and Gia share 17 cool things about cicadas. There is nothing to fear when the cicadas are here! Related episodes: Cicadas are Kinda Cute, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy Web sources for this episode include: Cicada Safari App created by Dr. Gene Kritsky  Cicada Mania - Cicada Insect News, Facts, Life Cycle, Photos ... Books about cicadas: When the Woods Hum by Joanne Ryder (out of print check your library) Cecily Cicada 2021 Edition By Kita Helmetag Murdock and Patsy Helmetag Periodical Cicadas The Brood X Edition by Gene Kritsky

Bob talks with John Seed who started working on saving rain forests in Australia in 1979. John explains how he learned about biodiversity and Deep Ecology . To learn more about John Seed check out: The Rainforest Information Centre - organization founded by John Seed Thinking Like a Mountain - free PDF John Seed Deep Ecology - includes subscribing to John's mailing list

Tina from Red Oaks Forest School joins Bob to explain Zugunruhe and the yellow warbler. Find out what the heck a warbler is and how you can see some during spring migration. Related episodes: What's Your Zugunruhe?, Merlin Magic Our sources for this episode include: Songbird Journeys by Miyoko Chu (book recommended by Tina) Yellow Warbler Migration When will Yellow Warblers Return

Greg Torres, our plant guru, talks all about trees. Tune in to find out why trees have a special place in Greg’s heart. Related episodes: Sit Spot, Mistletoe Prayer of the Woods (Portuguese folk tradition) “I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights. The friendly shade screening you from the summer sun, and my fruits are refreshing draughts quenching your thirst as you journey on.” “I am the beam that holds your house. The board of your table, the bed on which you lie and the timber that builds your boat.” “I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the wood of your cradle and the shell of your coffin.” “I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty. Ye who pass by listen to my prayer: “Harm me not.”

Carol Mundy, the host of the radio show Outdoor Life, collaborates on this second episode about cats. This episode focuses on feral cats and was inspired by an email from listener Steve Inglish. Related episode: Cats Our sources for this episode include: Cat Wars The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer by Peter P. Mora and Chris Santella The Lion in the Living Room How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over The World by Abigail Tucker

Bob runs into a pet opossum with his grandson Drew and his friend Graeme in a city park. Poppy is very cute and inspired us to listen to a podcast Bob and Bill recorded back in 2017. Related episodes: Bat in the House and Sick of Ticks Our sources for this episode include: 10 things you didn’t know about opossums Wildlife Rescue: Opossums Opossums - killers of ticks The ‘Possum Pages: FAQs Opossum Defense Mechanisms

Bob joins Carol Mundy on her radio show Outdoor Life to discuss one of the most successful invasive species on the planet the house cat. Our sources for this episode include: Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer by Peter P. Mora and Chris Santella The Lion in the Living Room: How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over The World by Abigail Tucker

Bob and Tina record in front of a live audience to share stories about crows. This bird is easy to identify but its behavior is very complex. Find our why Tina is a crow lover and listen to some amazing stories about crows. If you have your own crow story share it on our website via speak pipe or in the comment section for this episode. Our sources for this episode include: Gifts of the Crow by John Marzluff and Tony Angela Birdology by Sy Montgomery

Sam and Greg join Bob at the Civic Garden Center’s Fall Native Plant Festival.  They have an engaging presentation about the benefits and history of this under appreciated plant.  Related episode: Johnny Appleseed Our sources for this episode include: In Defense of the Lowly Grape The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart

Caroline joins Bob to talk about her true passion Native Grasses. Learn how these grasses can add to the diversity of life in the landscapes of our neighborhoods. Related episodes: Lawns, Boxwood Bash Our sources for this episode include: Understanding Roots by Robert Kourik Benefits of Native Grasses in Urban Landscaping Beyond Flowers: Enhancing Wildlife Gardens with Native Grasses Establishing Early Successional Habitat for Wildlife

Bob and Greg delve into one of their favorite plants, the Prickly Pear Cactus. It has a range far beyond the dessert so you should be able to find it in your area. Our sources for this episode include: US Forest Service Prickly Pear What Animals Eat Cactus 5 Facts About Prickly Pear Cactus Nine Interesting Facts about Prickly Pear

Turkey Tail mushrooms are everywhere! Gia admits that mushrooms may be her favorite things in nature. Learn all about one of the most common and easy to find mushrooms. Our sources for this episode include: Michael Kuo's take on turkey tail / Trametes versicolor: The Turkey Tail (MushroomExpert.Com) Good explanation of medicinal properties / How to Make Turkey Tail Mushroom Powder Tom Volk’s take on turkey tail / Fungus of the Month for August 1997 (wisc.edu) Nicholas Money’s paper “Are Mushrooms Medicinal?” (2016 PubMed (nih.gov) Coriolus versicolor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org)

Bob and Beth led family hikes at the Arc of Appalachia Highlands Nature Sanctuary in April of 2024. After the hikes they recorded a podcast with some of the hikers. Tune in to hear about wildflowers and more from the perspective of the children on the hike. 

Central Indiana had clear skies for the April 8, 2024  eclipse!  Bob joined a fantastic group of family, friends and other nature lovers  at Jenkins Forever Farm animal sanctuary  for a spectacular eclipse. He was able to record some of their reactions before, during and after the eclipse.  Related Episodes: Eclipse with Dean Regas, Eclipse Lovers

In the final episode of the Invasive Plant Series Bob, Greg and Sam outline several possible paths that the common person can undertake to help turn the tide of invasive plants. From education and community driven initiatives to pushing market changes through purchasing power, we can all do a small part to make a big difference.  Related Episodes: Walnut Woods, Invasive Plants, Lawns, Gardening for Moths with Jim McCormac, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy For more information, we recommend these sources: Native Plant Education and Volunteer Opportunities with Civic Garden Center Native Plant Education with Active Outdoors Native Plant Gardening Intro Cincinnati Volunteer Opportunity with Cincinnati Parks    

In this episode the discussion turns toward the horticulture industry and the impact working with plants has had overtime. Bob, Greg and Sam then turn to examine the branch of Ornamental Horticulture and its culpability in the mass production and distribution of non-native plants around the world. While this trend continues, new options of planting with native plants and the idea of cultivating native plants at home for the sake of conservation are introduced. Related Episodes: Lawns, Invasive Plants, Seeds on the Move, Invasive Plants Part 1, Invasive Plants Part 2   For more information, we recommend these resources: National Invasive Species Council Mt. Cuba Center Trial Garden Invasive Plant Species and the Ornamental Horticulture Industry      

In episode 2 of our Invasive Plant Series Bob, Greg and Sam discuss why invasive plants pose such a problem to our ecosystem. The plant guru dives into the intricate connections between plants and other wildlife, explaining that plants truly are the basis of all ecosystems. From there, we talk about the way our land use decisions have created the perfect conditions for invasive plants to thrive in North America.  Related Episodes: Invasive Plants Part 1, Invasive Plants, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy and Passenger Pigeon Part 1 For more information, we recommend these resources: Why Native Plants Matter Native Plants are Key to Climate Resilience How Much Nature Should America Keep?

Bob sits down with Greg and Sam to discuss one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, invasive plants. It’s such a dense topic that we decided to break it up into 4 separate episodes. In part 1, we introduce the concept of native and non-native invasive plants. Greg and Sam provide a big picture perspective on the human systems that are driving the spread of invasive plants and invite you to join us in starting a more meaningful conversation around invasive plants and their impact on our environment.  Related Episodes: Invasive Plants, Walnut Woods For more information, we recommend these resources: Book: Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species by Sylvan Ramsey Kaufman & Wallace Kaufman Invasive and Exotic Species of North America National Association of Invasive Plant Councils (check out what is happening in your state around invasive species management)  UN Invasive Alien Species Report

Bob and Tina chat about an amazing bird - the Indigo Bunting. Find out where and when you can see the brilliant blue male and how these birds migrate over 1200 miles. You can find out more about Tina and Red Oaks Forest School at redoaksforestschool.org. Related episode: What’s Your Zugunruhe? Our sources for this episode include: For the Birds: An Uncommon Guide by Laura Erickson Laura Erickson Blog Post on Floaters Where Do Indigo Buntings Live Indigo Bunting Life History BirdCast - migration tools