Nature Guys

Nature Guys is proud to say that this is our 200th episode! Our first episode was released in October of 2016. If you are a long time listener you know that my dear friend Bill was my only co-host until August of 2020. If you are new to the show, you can listen to my tribute to Bill on the episode titled “Our Friend Bill” released on September 1, 2020. Nature Guys has not only survived Bill’s loss but thrives thanks to the contributions of many people both on air and off. Special thanks to Gia, Greg and Charles – top notch naturalists who have taken the time from their busy schedules to help me create multiple amazing new shows. On this 200th episode I wanted to play an old Bill and Bob show. I was debating which episode to use when I got an email from Eve Bishop. Eve has a wonderful new four part podcast called Deer Humans. Tune in to hear Eve explain this in her own words followed by the Nature Guys podcast on white tailed deer originally released on October 10, 2017. You can find out more about Eve Bishop

Charles and Bob can’t wait to get out in the field in early spring to check out the woodcock sky dance. This is one crazy bird. It is a shorebird that lives in the forest and is nicknamed the timberdoodle. The woodcock sound clip is thanks to Karen Hogan via the Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Thanks to Christina Zorn for providing background research. Our sources for this episode include: The Woodcock Management Plan Funky American Woodcock YouTube video A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold Nature blog Gulo in Nature by Charles Van Rees

Gia and Bob discuss wolves a species that inspires a variety of emotions. Tune in to learn about the impacts wolves have on the Yellowstone ecosystem. Thanks to Christina Zorn for providing background research. Also special thanks to Lissa Malloy for creating a picture visualizing the tropic cascade concept. Keystone Species series: All About Alligators, Firefighting Beavers, Acorn Woodpeckers Our sources for this episode include: The Howling Wilderness an interview with Doug Smith January 2021 Issue 541 of The Sun Magazine Thanks to Doug Smith and The Sun for giving us permission to link to this incredible interview Max Waugh Photography - Gray Wolf vs Coyotes Tropic Cascade Picture on Nature Guys web site: Lissa Malloy offered to create a picture visualizing the tropic cascade concept we covered in the podcast. You can find more of her amazing work at: https://lissamalloy.crevado.com/about-cv

Charles and Bob kick off 2022 with a very unique bird. Hopefully we will inspire you to take a walk by your favorite stream or river to see a kingfisher. Related episodes: What It’s Like to be a Bird with David Sibley Our sources for this episode include: Fun Facts About Kingfishers Ten Things about the Belted Kingfisher Aerial Ramming, a Burrow Excavation Behavior by Belted Kingfishers, with a Review of its Occurrence among the Alcedinidae by Hendricks et al., 2013 The Eastern Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle Alcyon Alcyon (Linnaeus), in Relation to Fish Management by Salyer and Lagler, 1949 Attempted predation of a diurnally active Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) by a Belted Kingfisher Predation of a Western Water Shrew (Sorex navigator) by a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) North American River Otters Followed by Piscivorous Birds, and a River Otter Parental Distraction Display

Greg and Bob discuss a plant that everyone will probably recognize. Amaze your friends at holiday parties with the story of mistletoe. Our sources for this episode include: The Golden Bough by James George Frazer (available via Project Gutenberg) Merry covid Christmas: Don’t kiss under the mistletoe, advises British minister 12 Things to know about Mistletoe

Bob talks with Grace Lynch, the creator and host of an amazing new podcast on climate change from Wonder Media Network. The podcast brings together poems and stories from women throughout the US and territories that depict the effects of climate change on their homes and people. The source for this interview is the new podcast As She Rises by Wonder Media Network.

Gia and Bob just cannot let go of the 17 year cicadas. They discuss a very cool bird the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo that has a special taste for cicadas. Related episodes: Cicadas, 17 Years to Awesome and The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy Our sources for this episode include: Cicada Safari App created by Dr. Gene Kritsky  Ohio Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species published by Waterford Press Bird Note Podcast on the Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Charles chats with Brooke Mitchell-Norman, the host of the podcast Rewildology. They discuss Brooke’s love of big cats and how travel can help protect wildlife. Related series: Through the Eyes of Nature Guys Our sources for this episode include: Rewildology

It seems everyone has a story about poison ivy. Greg and Bob share some of their favorite stories. They discuss the often overlooked benefits of poison ivy. They will also cover how to identify it and how to remove it from areas where you would likely encounter the plant. Our sources for this episode include: Poison Ivy Leaf Gall Mite by Joe Boggs Poison Ivy Rash Interesting Facts about Poison Ivy 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Poison Ivy

Bob chats with Doug Chadwick, the author of Four Fifths a Grizzly: A New Perspective on Nature that Just Might Save Us All. Doug has travelled the world writing for National Geographic. This amazing book caps a long career.  The source for this interview is Four Fifths a Grizzly: A New Perspective on Nature that just Might Save Us All published by Patagonia Books in June of 2021.

The Bug Chicks are in Bob’s backyard to share the amazing story of how they got started.  Co-hosts Greg Torres and Chris Anderson (of Science Around Cincy) join in the fun. Learn more about The Bug Chicks on their website: thebugchicks.com.

Tune in to find out the winners of our cicada contest. Check out all the wonderful entries on our Celebrating Cicadas page. Related episodes: Cicadas, 17 Years to Awesome and Cicadas are Kinda Cute Be sure to tune in next week for our special guests The Bug Chicks.

If you love hummingbirds, tune in to listen to Bob’s conversation with John Shewey. His book, The Hummingbird Handbook, is filled with facts and practical tips to care for hummingbirds right in your own neighborhood.  Related episodes: Hummingbirds, Bicycling with Butterflies with Sara Dykman, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy The source for this interview is The Hummingbird Handbook: Everything You Need to Know about These Fascinating Birds by John Shewey from Timber Press.

Greg and Bob talk about wild ginger, a plant that makes a great native ground cover. You have to get down on your knees to see the flower. Who pollinates this flower that is hidden from view? Related episode: The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy Our sources for this episode include: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover: The Curious Case of Wild Ginger Pollination Wild Ginger Caring For Wild Ginger: How To Grow Wild Ginger Plants Connect with us on our website, Facebook, Twitter  and Instagram.

Bob is excited to talk to Holly Merker about her wonderful book Ornitherapy For Your Mind Body Soul. Tune in to his conversation with Holly Merker and listen to the story of how birds saved Holly’s life! The source for this interview is Ornitherapy by Holly Merker, Richard Crossley and Sophie Crossley

Charles Van Rees, Nature Guys Podcast’s very own science guy, has a fascinating conversation with Kim McCoy about Kim's new book Waves and Beaches: The Powerful Dynamics of Sea and Coast by Willard Bascom and Kim McCoy published by Patagonia. Kim mentions salmon in the conversation. To learn more about salmon, check out Bob’s interview with Mark Kurlansky in the episode Salmon are a Gift about Mark's book Salmon: A Fish, the Earth and the History of Their Common Fate also published by Patagonia.

Gia and Bob are excited about the arrival of the 17 year periodic cicadas. 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! Please listen to the episode to learn all about our contest to celebrate the cicadas! Email us your entry to info@natureguys.org. Related episodes: Cicadas are Kinda Cute, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy Our sources for this episode include: Cicada Safari App created by Dr. Gene Kritsky  Cicada Mania: Cicada Insect News, Facts, Life Cycle, Photos, Books ... When the Woods Hum by Joanne Ryder (the book is out of print but check your library) Cecily Cicada (2021 Edition) by Kita Helmetag Murdock and Patsy Helmetag Periodical Cicadas The Brood X Edition by Gene Kritsky

Bob reads an amazing new book Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201 Mile Journey Following The Monarch Migration. Tune in to his conversation with Sara Dykman, the first person to follow migrating monarch butterflies on her bicycle. Learn more about Sara and some of the lessons she learned on her nine month adventure from Mexico to Canada and back. Please check out Sara's website Beyond a Book. Bicycling with Butterflies is published by Timber Press. Related episodes: Monarchs on the Move, Mighty Milkweed

Charles and Bob discuss vernal pools. Bob has always been intrigued by vernal pools and with time at home due to the pandemic he decided to build one in his backyard. Learn about his first aquatic visitor the water strider. Also learn about an amazing creature that lives in a vernal pool at Cincinnati Nature Center. If you have not seen fairy shrimp be sure to check them out. Charles explains what they look like and why they are found in vernal pools. Related episodes: The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy, Dragonflies, Damselflies and Wood Frogs Quack It Up Our sources for this episode include: Vernal Pool Chronicles: a YouTube channel about vernal pools with some fantastic footage Colburn et al., 2007: Diversity and ecology of vernal pool invertebrates (Chapter from: Science and Conservation of Vernal Pools in Northeastern North America) U.S. EPA informational page - Vernal pools

Greg Torres and Bob discuss one of the most important trees in Florida. The Red Mangrove is the protector from storms and provides safe harbor to many living things. Cheer on Greg who is competing in the 2021 Go Wild for Jeopar-Ding fund raiser that will premiere virtually on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 to support the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Check out related episodes on our Wildlife Refuges page. Watch Greg's YouTube video on red mangroves. Our sources for this episode include: Florida’s Extraordinary Mangroves Essential Facts about Mangroves Florida’s Mangroves