The Backyard Naturalists

03/10/2025

WOW! This is an extremely rare yellow cardinal seen in Alabaster, Alabama. Auburn University biology professor Geoffrey Hill it is in the same species as the common red cardinal, but carries a genetic mutation that causes what would normally be brilliant red feathers to be bright yellow instead.
Photo via Jeremy Black

03/09/2025

And in other nature news - how about a video of a male seahorse giving birth?

Source: Reptile's Story

Female Transferring Eggs To Male Seahorse To He Giving Birth So Amazing.View More: videos on channel can use the content-based copyright law...

03/09/2025

The podcast that published on 3/8/25 mentioned the word "venery" in reference to groups of animals.

Here's a reference:

Terms of venery refer to the specialized language used to describe groups of animals, especially in a hunting context. The word "venery" comes from the Latin

03/08/2025

Hummingbird fans rejoice! The ruby-throated hummingbirds are on their way back to the eastern US after spending the winter in Mexico and South America.

03/06/2025

03/01/2025

What a great resource!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15uAPW2AwU/

Which of these have you been to?

Looking for a great place to start planning a road trip? Check out our ever-expanding compilation of roadways throughout North America that offer prime birding and wildlife viewing. These expanses of roadway across many miles offer birders, naturalists, and general eco-tourists opportunities to explore diverse habitats near home and in distant places.

We welcome additions or corrections to this list- simply follow the link on the page to email us!

In the meantime, head to the link below and start exploring the trails.

https://www.aba.org/aba-area-birding-trails/

02/26/2025

Wisdom is a legend !

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18Lv1MbKE1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/24/2025

It’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week, which is about building awareness and taking action to prevent the spread of invasive species. One simple action you can take is to volunteer at a local park, refuge or wildlife area to help remove invasive species and educate others about the threat invasives present. Check locally for volunteer opportunities in your area.

02/10/2025

Anyone ever seen this?

A beautiful phenomenon with a funny name, hoarfrost forms during clear, calm nights, turning America’s public lands into picturesque winter wonderlands.

Needle-like in appearance, these fragile ice formations form when v***r transitions directly from a gas to a solid in a process called deposition. The morning is the best time to look for hoarfrost because the sun melts the fragile crystals quickly. ❄️

Photos by Jacob W. Frank / Yellowstone National Park

02/06/2025

We so love the info shared on Nebraska Wildlife Education!

We're gonna add our own word: psithurism.

Who knows what it means?????

02/03/2025

Many of you have heard about the devastating hurricane that we experienced in western NC several months ago. Recovery efforts will take years most likely. People and wildlife were catastrophically impacted.

One of our most unique native species, the Hellbender, an aquatic salamander, was a species of concern before the hurricane. Now it is at a critical point.

We're sharing this petition to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The petition is asking them to designate the hellbender as an endangered species.

Collectively, we can make our voices heard!

02/02/2025

Happy Groundhog Day! I hope it’s just like…yesterday? These large rodents are also called Woodchucks and Whistlepigs. Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are found across the eastern United States, including the mountains and upper Piedmont of the Carolinas and Georgia. They’re slowly expanding their range in the Piedmont and can even be found into the Coastal Plain further north. Common places to spot one include roadsides, pastures, and along streams. I’ve even seen them going into storm drains.

True to their name, Groundhogs spend much of their time in burrows under rocks, trees, and sheds. In northern states, they hibernate in winter and will periodically arouse and briefly leave their burrow…but probably not to look for their shadow. Here in the South, it’s not uncommon to see Groundhogs active on winter days.

Photo by Gilles Gonthier, CC BY 2.0

01/30/2025

Some. Not all. Mostly Eastern U.S.

01/29/2025

New info for us!

👯‍♀️ Wearing matching outfits (with ulterior motives).

🪵 Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers are infamously hard to distinguish. Aside from size, they are nearly identical in appearance. However, they aren't closely related, leading scientists to believe that Downy Woodpeckers may have evolved to look like the larger Hairy Woodpeckers in order to avoid aggression from them!

01/21/2025

Wishing everyone a happy National Squirrel Appreciation Day!

Read more about these critters here:

Squirrel Appreciation Day on January 21 is when we show appreciation for the world's cutest rodents.

01/19/2025

Fyi!

If you see a turtle out in the winter, they probably need help. Turtles brumate during the cold weather and very seldomly come up only if there is extended periods of warmth. Things that keep them from brumation are injuries, respiratory illness and viruses, all of which are deadly in the cold. If you find a turtle during this cold weather, snap a photo and send it to us. This animal most likely needs help!

01/14/2025

The Repair Café is back for 2025! 🛠️✨ Bring your household items, and let’s fix them together. Save money, help the planet, and pick up a new skill along the way! 🌍💡

📅 When: February 15th, 12–4 PM
🔗 Sign up now—link in bio or on our website!

Let’s repair, not replace. See you there! 🙌

01/12/2025

Because “flock” is not enough.