Blog Feed: The Natural Capital

Lone Star Tick from CDCvia the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences.We're not big consumers of red meat here at the Natural Capital. In fact, I haven't eaten it in years. But Matt has been known to eat a burger now and then...until recently.The las

Things to look for in May

Published on 2013-05-03 14:17:00

Last spring was hot and way ahead of schedule, and this spring has been cold and a little slow. Morels, in particular, took forever to show up. We just found some on Wednesday, later in the year than we ever have before. I have a feeling that May wil

Things to Look For in April

Published on 2013-04-01 16:09:00

Restorying the Anacostia River

Published on 2013-03-24 10:02:00

The Environmental Film Festival brought this short film to our attention. It makes the argument that to restore the Anacostia River, we have to "restory" the Anacostia River. Because really, what's the first word that most people would associate with

DC Environmental Film Festival March 12-24

Published on 2013-03-11 09:31:00

Honestly, I always wish that the Environmental Film Festival were in the dead of winter. Spring is the time of year it's hardest to stay inside and look at a screen! That said, there are always some amazing films in the lineup and this year is no exc

Things to Look for in March

Published on 2013-03-09 13:45:00

We have emerged from the non-snowquester into a glorious weekend. I hope you get some time outside! The wood frogs are out and have already laid their eggs. Not far away: spring beauties, spring peepers, and all kinds of other cool stuff. What have y

Backyard Bird Count This Weekend

Published on 2013-02-15 13:00:00

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual event that takes a massive snapshot of where birds are in North America. In 2012, volunteers reported on a mind-boggling 17.4 million birds. It always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to be part of something so

Things to Look For in Winter

Published on 2013-02-07 07:08:00

The days are getting noticeably longer, but spring is still long away. And yet, there are still plenty of things to look for outside.>> What have you been noticing in nature this winter? Leave a comment below.Rock Tripe by Paul J. MorrisAmong wild ed

LOOK FOR: Light Pollution

Published on 2013-01-31 16:00:00

My parents live in north Florida, and every few years Matt and I go even further south, to the Everglades, after Christmas. And then we head out by canoe, and camp somewhere far away from any electricity or any roads. It makes for amazing wildlife vi

LOOK FOR: Snowflakes

Published on 2013-01-25 16:06:00

Photo credit: Tom Gill Photo credit: ViaMoiWhen was the last time you actually looked up close at a snowflake? I was feeling inspired today and bundled up to go stick my nose in the snow. Nature is so amazing!You can see a surprising amount of detail

Best Nature Books of 2012

Published on 2012-12-10 10:51:00

Every year we scan the book awards for the year and share titles that have some relationship to the things we write about at the Natural Capital. As usual, I found a couple I'm excited to add to my reading list, one we already really enjoyed...and a

Things to look for in December

Published on 2012-12-02 08:25:00

It's been hard to believe it's December with the warm weather we've been having, but the plant and animal world have slowed down on schedule. I'm hoping for a little cold weather to make us appreciate our family trip to Florida -- but not so much tha

Great Falls After Hurricane Sandy

Published on 2012-11-01 07:12:00

If you can go to Great Falls in the next couple of days, it's worth the trip. Call ahead to make sure trails are open: the water level is likely to rise before it falls. On Wednesday, the MD boardwalk to the falls was closed (towpath was open) but th

LOOK FOR: Moths

Published on 2012-09-17 11:00:00

I suspect those of you who have ever had a hole eaten in a sweater by a Tineola bisselliella are repelled by the title of this post, but stick with me -- we're keeping the moths outside this time. (And, if you like, there's beer involved.)More than 11,000 species of moth have been recorded in North America -- and there are probably still some that haven't been discovered yet. Here's a challenge: how many different species can you find in an evening? Photo credit: Cyndy Sims ParrThere several way [..]

Things to Look For in September

Published on 2012-09-10 15:30:00

We're just getting back from a week of visiting family and a four-day canoe trip in Wisconsin. In the northern part of the state, the leaves are already changing. We kept feeling like we were taking pictures for jigsaw puzzles: birch trees with yellow foliage and white trunks being reflected in the water. Back in DC I'm kind of glad we've got several more weeks before fall really sets in. Time flies too quickly! Here are some of the things we like to keep an eye out for in September. Links are t [..]

Five Amazing Facts About Crows

Published on 2012-08-28 15:27:00

Crows are so common and well-known in our area that I've never bothered to write about them -- or really think much about them. I finally got around to reading a copy of Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans that I received as a review copy, and am blown away. Here are my top 5 amazing facts:1. Crows display remarkable teamwork. You may have seen them mobbing a hawk to make it go away. They've also been seen to steal from other animals in [..]

Trip Report: Scott's Run

Published on 2012-08-25 19:35:00

We had a great walk at

LOOK FOR: Katniss (a.k.a. Wapato, Duck Potato, Arrowhead, Sagittaria)

Published on 2012-08-20 10:19:00

I finally got around to reading The Hunger Games this summer. The main character, Katniss, has grown up hunting and foraging in Appalachia, which turns out to be a real asset when she is forced to spend weeks fighting to the death with other teenagers in a large expanse of forest. I haven't read a novel with so much foraging in it since My Side of the Mountain.Photo credit: Jerry OldnettelBut it drove me crazy that I didn't know one of the main vegetables she relies on: katniss. When she was a [..]

LOOK FOR: Katydids

Published on 2012-08-13 07:00:00

On Saturday Matt and I went out to hike, watch the sunset, and see if the sky would clear up so we could catch the Perseid meteor shower (it didn't). We've been trying this summer to learn some insects by their sounds, and just hanging out at sunset with nothing in particular going on was a fantastic chance to practice.The most striking thing, now that I recognize more of the sounds, is what a changing of the guard there is as it gets dark.At dusk, the cicadas are noisy. They sing in big masses, [..]

Things to Look For in August

Published on 2012-08-06 20:02:00

As the temperatures and humidity hover at their yearly highs, I've been soaking through my t-shirts on walks lately. But there's still plenty to see outside, if you're in town and you're willing to put up with a little sweat. Links are to previous LOOK FOR posts:Photo credit: Rongem BoyoThe Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 11 -- a Saturday night, with a crescent moon that won't interfere with the show until early morning. The shower has already started, it just isn't at its peak yet...you h [..]

LOOK FOR: Blue-tailed, Five-lined Skinks

Published on 2012-07-28 07:30:00

Photo credit: Holly SparkmanI was on a pretty intense site visit in Greenville, SC for a few days last week, but you know me -- I had an hour off and I ended up on the walking path that goes along the river downtown. A tiny blue-tailed skink ran right across the path in front of a colleague and me. I pointed it out: hey look, a blue-tailed skink. My colleague was astonished: How did you know that? she said.I don't know. I don't remember learning the blue-tailed skink. But if you ever saw a lizar [..]

Things to Look for in July

Published on 2012-07-20 12:21:00

Better late than never, our monthly roundup of things to look for this month:Photo credit: InspiredinDesMoinesI originally wrote about bald eagles for the 4th of July, but they're around all summer -- and some stay over the winter. Still, it's a great time of year to get out on the water and look for them. Matt went canoeing last weekend on Jug Bay and had the pleasure of watching an eagle fight an osprey for the fish it had just caught -- evidence of the theiving behavior that made Ben Franklin [..]

On Walden (Happy 195th Birthday, Henry!)

Published on 2012-07-12 12:25:00

I first read my dad's copy of Walden when I was in high school. It's a 35-cent paperback edition that, if I recall correctly, my dad picked up while he was teaching in East Africa in the early 60's. Somehow the book survived his motorcycle ride from Africa to the Middle East and Europe, an ocean voyage, and the subsequent pilfering of the motorcycle's saddlebags on the docks of New York City. It has spent another 40+ years on our family's bookshelves, in at least 6 states and the District of Col [..]

Is This Normal?

Published on 2012-07-06 07:32:00

Tomorrow's heat index could be 110°. The Post is reporting today that this may be part of a new normal: when you keep having above-average temperatures every year, the average starts shifting upward.Here's what they show for this year. Ah, remember that deliciously comfortable weekend of June 16-17? Graphic by the Washington Post I have to admit, I've succumbed to the tendency to hunker down inside during this latest temperature spike. I just pulled up a post I wrote a few years ago to remind m [..]

LOOK FOR: Pickerel Weed

Published on 2012-06-19 10:21:00

I love having a little pond in my backyard. Mostly because it's a bird magnet: in the time it takes me to eat breakfast, dozens of birds will stop by for a drink or a bath. But having a pond also allows us to grow some special plants. Among my favorites is pickerel weed. Photo credit: intheburgThe little purple flowers of pickerel weed are in spikes that elongate over the summer. It starts blooming in June and goes right through August. And the flowers must be loaded with nectar, because we see [..]

Things to Look For in June

Published on 2012-05-31 07:22:00

It's June and the world is abuzz with life. It's no coincidence that we've written a lot about insects at this time of year! Mosquito by James JordanMosquitoes: We're definitely starting to get bitten when we go outside, but the mosquitoes don't seem to be terrible yet. See our tips on looking for spots where they might be breeding. Tiger swallowtail in our backyardTiger swallowtails: In the fall, tiger swallowtail caterpillars form a chrysalis in which they'll spend the whole winter, waiting f [..]

LOOK FOR: Eyed Click Beetles, Acrobats of the Bug World

Published on 2012-05-23 14:29:00

Photo credit: Mary KeimI'm a big fan of eye spots. In the animal world, they're meant to be scary, but to us humans those big "eyes" just make critters look like cartoon babies.Bug-haters may struggle to join in on my fun, but come on, is this not one cool-looking insect? Alaus oculatus -- the eyed click beetle or eyed elater -- can be almost 2 inches long. Their true eyes are up by the antennae. Those big spots are just evolution's way of saying, "don't mess with me, I'm either a snake or a rea [..]

LOOK FOR: Putty root

Published on 2012-05-16 10:40:00

For the longest time, this leaf was a mystery to me. Photo credit: cotinis We see it scattered infrequently through forests around the DC metro area in the winter. Always just one leaf. The pinstripes are pretty noticeable, right? If you know a little botany, you know that the fact that those leaf veins are parallel is significant. It places this plant in the monocot class. What's in that class? Grasses, but this clearly isn't a grass. Onions, daffodils, tulips...pretty sure it's not any of thos [..]

LOOK FOR: Migratory Warblers

Published on 2012-05-09 19:49:00

In the last 2 years, we've had a bunch of migrating warblers come through our yard in mid-May. In fact, we've noted four of the same species two years in a row. I like to think they remember our little pond as a nice stopping-over point (but I'm sure it's just random). Have you seen any of these birds lately? I'm keeping an eye out to see if this will be the third year in a row for our backyard guests.Photo credit: Ken SchneiderBlackpoll warblerPhoto credit: Jeremy Meyer Canada warbler Photo cre [..]

More things to look for in May

Published on 2012-05-03 18:00:00

At the end of April I posted about several things we were seeing that normally appear in May. Here's the rest of my list of things we've posted on in May -- these usually are later in the month, but who knows when they'll turn up this year. And there are still many things we haven't gotten to yet...what have you been seeing outside lately? Leave us a comment and tell us what to look out for!Photo credit: ac4ltMountain Laurel -

Things to Look For NOW that Usually Come in May

Published on 2012-04-25 09:17:00

Even the less nature-aware people that I know are noticing what a weird spring this has been. Topping the list: yesterday, I ate the first ripe strawberry from my garden. Below are several things we've highlighted before on the Natural Capital well into May, that are blooming/active NOW. Don't miss them!What else have you been seeing way ahead of time that we shouldn't miss?yellow ladyslipper at TWMA by Carly&ArtWe often make it out to Thomspon Wildlife Management Area in early May to see the tr [..]

Things to Look For in April

Published on 2012-04-15 21:01:00

This time of year is one of our busiest times: Matt's landscaping business is in full swing, our own garden is plenty of work, and there are so many things we want to look for in the wild! This year I've added to the craziness by enrolling in the Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art & Illustration, which is a little more than I bargained for -- in a good way, except it's left even less time to update this blog.And then there's the crazy weather this spring -- everything is 2-3 weeks early! [..]

Avian Architecture

Published on 2012-03-29 15:00:00

**** I'm giving away a copy of this book! Details at the end of the post. ****Photo credit: ingridtaylarOver the last week I've been watching robins hop around my yard, picking out old plant stalks and other bits and pieces to build their nests. There's a pair working on a nest in the rose trellis over our front sidewalk -- always an exciting location, because we can watch the parents feed their babies from our porch. Plus, every time someone passes through our front gate a bird comes flying out [..]

Calendar: Nature at the USA Science and Engineering Festival

Published on 2012-03-26 10:46:00

Mark your calendars for the weekend of April 28 and 29. At the DC Convention Center there will be a huge, free event aimed at getting kids excited about science: the USA Science and Engineering Festival. (There are also some pre-events listed here.)Speakers and performers include Bill Nye the Science Guy, folks from Mythbusters, Benjamin Franklin (or a guy who looks and acts like him), astronauts, magicians, and more. Sessions and exhibits will include the science of the magic of Harry Potter, t [..]

Local highlights at the Environmental Film Festival

Published on 2012-03-12 12:34:00

Photo credit: davefancherThis year is the 20th anniversary of the DC Environmental Film Festival, from March 13 to 25. Films from all over the world will highlight the amazing beauty of our planet and the forces that threaten it. As I've done for the past few years, I'll highlight a few picks here that have a local bent:March 20 at 6:30, Carnegie Institution for Science: Two films on the Potomac RiverEXPEDITION BLUE PLANET (Clips). "Alexandra Cousteau, Founder and President of Blue Legacy Intern [..]

How to Find a Spring Peeper

Published on 2012-03-09 08:35:00

Last year I wrote about spring peepers: how it is one of our spring rituals to go out in the evening to listen to their calls, and how unbelievable it is that I couldn't find any when they're so loud. Photo credit: buckeye98Thanks to the wonders of the internet, we found a technique that actually worked! We found a peeper, and held it in our hands! See if it works for you.You will need:at least three people,a flashlight or headlamp for each person,patience, and the ability to sit quietly, close [..]

Things to Look For in March

Published on 2012-03-01 16:00:00

If the 70 degree days last week didn't convince you that spring is coming, I'm here to remind you of what's ahead this month: Spring beauties! Spring Peepers! And all kinds of other cool stuff. What have you been seeing lately?Photo credit: Carly & ArtBloodroot is one of our favorite spring flowers. Each plant blooms only briefly, and there's a window of only a few weeks that the bloodroots bloom at all. It's one more thing that inspires us to spend as much time as possible in the woods at this [..]

LOOK FOR: Maple Flowers

Published on 2012-02-24 08:26:00

Maples are one of the earliest trees to bloom in our area -- a sure sign of spring. But not many people see them...they're up high, and they're not super-showy. When the light hits it right, though, the entire crown of a maple tree in flower will light up in red or yellow. So, as you're walking around this week, look up for something like this: Photo credit: jpwbeeMaple flowers are insect-pollinated, and an important early-season source of food for insects. As the weather warms up enough for the [..]

Postcards from Honduras

Published on 2012-02-12 13:29:00

On this blog we celebrate all the great nature here in the DC area, but I have a confession: we go away almost every winter. I'm a southerner who craves warmth and longer days, and Matt's a landscaper whose work gets pretty slow in December and January. This year, after heading to my hometown in Florida for Christmas, we headed even further south: to Honduras. It was a great trip -- below are some of my favorite photos. We've got lots more pictures here. And I'll try to get some new, local cont [..]

LOOK FOR: Mica

Published on 2012-01-19 06:00:00

Photo credit: The Marvelous In NatureWhen I was a kid, I was fascinated by mica. Still am, really: the world could always use a little sparkle. And on many trails in the DC area, the soil is full of little sparkly bits of mica. Out of the trails we frequent, it seems most common on the Northwest Branch near Burnt Mills Dam on Colesville Road. Not only are the trails quite sparkly, but there are several sandy spots along the river where you can find larger pieces of mica. The paper-thin sheets st [..]

My Favorite Searches of 2011

Published on 2012-01-12 12:28:00

Some people find the Natural Capital in the darnedest ways. Every one of these seemingly-unrelated searches ended up on this website in 2011. Click on each link to find out where they landed, and see if you can figure out why.At least 42 goats. Photo credit: Toby Simkinfunny looking peoplemy deer feeder is better than yourspurple bird poopHunter S. ThompsonClara Barton cow intestinescool chemical reactionsend of the worldI'm not that girlfemale greek warriorI shook my family tree and a bunch of [..]

Things to Look for in January

Published on 2012-01-05 15:18:00

The days are ever so slowly getting longer, but spring is still long away. And yet, there are still plenty of things to look for outside. Writing this list almost makes me wish I wasn't skipping town for Central America. Almost.>> What have you been noticing in nature this winter? Leave a comment below.Rock Tripe by Paul J. MorrisAmong wild edibles, rock tripe is not prized or even particularly appetizing...actually, it's pretty cardboardy. But as a survival food, it's been used for centuries. A [..]

Greatest Hits of 2011

Published on 2011-12-29 14:12:00

With only 2 days left in the year, it seems safe to take stock of our visitors in 2011. There were over 21,000 of you this year. As far as Big Brother Google can tell, about a quarter of you live in DC, a fifth in Virginia, and a fifth in Maryland, with the rest coming in from around the world -- including all 50 states and over a hundred countries. Thanks so much for joining us on our adventures through the natural world.Help us find even more readers for 2012! If you have friends who enjoy the [..]

Read Any Good Books Lately?

Published on 2011-12-15 10:41:00

Every year around this time I like to browse best-of-the-year book lists. Here are some of the books that caught my eye as possibly of interest to Natural Capital readers. What have you read this year that you think we should look at? Leave a comment below.From the Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment Environmental Creative Writing Award: Birdwatching in Wartime by Jeffrey Thomson"In Thomson's poetry collection, the animals are real and so is the singing. Whether mourning [..]

Things to look for in December

Published on 2011-12-09 09:49:00

Hello dear readers, we've been slowing down the rate of posts here at the Natural Capital due to...well, life. And it's about to get a whole lot slower as we leave town, first to visit family in Florida, and then to visit the coral reefs, jungles, and cloud forests of Honduras for a big chunk of January. We've scheduled a few posts to show up here automatically while we're gone, just so you don't think we've forgotten about you! In the meantime, there's plenty to explore for those of you staying [..]

Happy Thanksgiving!

Published on 2011-11-24 12:48:00

Photo credit: wmartin63Hope you're having a wonderful day with friends and family as we are. For those of you who can't turn away from the computer even on Thanksgiving, here are some posts on the Natural Capital that relate to turkeys and giving thanks, in one way or another: Wild TurkeysTurkey Run ParkTurkey VulturesSome things we're thankful forNow get outdoors and work off that turkey!

LOOK FOR: Turkey Tails

Published on 2011-11-18 18:39:00

Photo credit: CoastlanderAs we think about the things that we are thankful for in nature, we should all pause to be thankful for mushrooms. Not just because they are yummy, or beautiful -- which many are -- but because they enable us to walk around in the woods in the first place. After all, imagine a world where every tree that fell over in the forest just stayed there. A few hundred years and it would be an impassible maze of giant Pick-Up Sticks.No, we should be grateful for the saprobes -- t [..]

LOOK FOR: Starlings

Published on 2011-11-10 15:00:00

You know I stick mostly to native species on this blog. There are so many wonderful creatures and plants to explore without needing to focus on the imported counterparts that are crowding them out. But a friend forwarded a beautiful little video that I thought I would pass along, because this truly is one of the natural phenomena that takes my breath away a few times a year. Photo credit: Kristof BorkowskiStarlings were brought to the United States in the late 19th century by a group called the [..]

Online Marketing

Blog Feed: The Natural Capital

Home > Blog Directory > Newest Posts > Blog Feed: The Natural Capital