Shows / Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
Buzz, Blossom & Squeak is a quiet, curious walk into the natural world right outside your door. You don’t need to be a scientist, a hardcore birder, or someone who hikes miles into the wilderness. This podcast is for anyone who has ever paused to notice a bird call, wondered about a plant growing along a sidewalk, watched insects move through a garden, or felt the seasons shifting without quite knowing why. Each episode focuses on small, approachable pieces of nature—birds, bugs, plants…
Episodes
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
77 - The Majestic Journey of the Monarch Butterfly
In this episode, I explore one of nature’s most fascinating creatures: the monarch butterfly. These vibrant insects may look delicate, but their story is one…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
76 - What Makes a Park “National”?
How Parks Become (and Stop Being) National Parks In this episode, I explore how parks are designated as national parks and the lesser-known reality that they…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
75 - The Great Great Lakes
In this episode, we explore what makes the Great Lakes so much more than just large bodies of water. From their incredible size and geological origins to their…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
74 - Pluto: Little Planet, Big Drama
In this episode, I take you on a journey beyond Neptune to unravel the mystery and controversy surrounding Pluto. Once hailed as the ninth planet, Pluto's…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
73 - The Biggest Trees
In this episode, I take you on a journey through some of the largest and most awe-inspiring trees on Earth. From the towering coastal redwoods of Northern…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
72 - Corn Sweats? What Else Affects Weather Than Just Weather?
In this episode, I explore the fascinating ways that local environments shape the weather we experience daily. While most people think of weather as something…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
71 - From Ice to Fire: What Makes Comets So Cool
This episode takes listeners on a journey through space to explore the wonders of comets—what they are, how they form, and why they’re worth watching. With a…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
70 - Composting Renews
This episode explores the value and practical benefits of composting. From reducing household waste to enriching the soil naturally, composting is a simple yet…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
69 - Discovering the Wetlands Around Us
69 - Discovering the Wetlands Around Us In this episode, I explore one of the most underrated landscapes in nature: wetlands. At first, marshes, swamps, bogs…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
68 - Backyard Ants: What’s Really Going On Under Your Feet?
68 - Backyard Ants: What’s Really Going On Under Your Feet? This episode takes a closer look at the bustling and complex world of backyard ants. Sparked by a…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
67 - Identify Nature with Tech
This episode explores the power of using mobile apps to enhance experiences in the natural world. Whether identifying a strange bug in the backyard, figuring…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
66 - Tools and Tricks for New Birdwatchers
In this episode, we explore the joyful and surprisingly addictive world of birdwatching. From backyard windows to wooded trails, birdwatching is one of the…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
65 - Look up! Clouds!
65 - Look up! Clouds! In this episode, we explore how everyday cloud watching can become a fascinating and practical hobby. From understanding different types…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
64 - Why Messy Forests Are Healthier
64 - Why Messy Forests Are Healthier In this episode, I share my personal journey into understanding forest management. What started as curiosity during hikes…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
63 - Minks, Weasels, and Fishers Uncovered
63 - Minks, Weasels, and Fishers Uncovered In this episode of Neighborhood Naturalist, we explore the sometimes confusing but always fascinating world of small…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
62 -Plants That Rise, Rest, and React
62 -Plants That Rise, Rest, and React In this episode, the focus is on how certain flowers and plants respond to the time of day, light, and even temperature…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
61 - Find Birds by Their Vertical Layer
61 - Find Birds by Their Vertical Layer In this episode, we explore a fresh perspective on birdwatching—observing birds by their vertical layer. I share…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
60 - Wake Up Sleepy Trees!
60 - Wake Up Sleepy Trees! In this episode, I explore one of nature’s most fascinating transitions: how trees survive winter and reawaken in spring. Trees…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
59 -Spring Ephemerals: Nature’s Hidden Gems in Early Spring
59 -Spring Ephemerals: Nature’s Hidden Gems in Early Spring In this episode, I share the quiet beauty and ecological importance of spring ephemerals—those…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
58 - Are Birds Tired After Migration?
58 - Are Birds Tired After Migration? In this episode, we explore the incredible endurance and strategic brilliance of migratory birds. As spring migration…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
57 - Searching for Salamanders
57 - Searching for Salamanders This episode takes a quiet, curious journey into the life of salamanders—what they are, where they live, and why they’ve become…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
56 - Are You Speaking Birding Yet?
56 - Are You Speaking Birding Yet? Ever get lost in bird chat lingo? Wonder what a “REVI” or “sparkbird” is? This episode is all about demystifying birding…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
55 - Winter House Bugs - Mostly Harmless!
55 - Winter House Bugs - Mostly Harmless! Every winter, I start noticing bugs showing up in my house, and I know I’m not the only one! In this episode, I talk…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
54 - Be Lazy, Help Nature
54 - Be Lazy, Help Nature In today’s episode, Jill from the Northwoods challenges the traditional idea of a perfectly maintained yard. She shares personal…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
53 - What To Do About An Injured Animal
53 - What To Do About An Injured Animal Have you ever stumbled upon an injured wild animal and wondered what to do? In this episode, I share real-life…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
52 - 52 - Unlocking the Secrets of Tree Stumps and Rings
52 - Unlocking the Secrets of Tree Stumps and Rings Hi, it’s Jill from the North Woods! On today’s episode, I’m diving into the fascinating world of tree rings…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
51 - Winter Nests and Eggs
51 - Winter Nests and Eggs Have you ever wondered why some birds nest in the middle of winter? In this episode, I talk about how eagles and owls defy the cold…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
50 - Some Cool Hot Stars
50 - Some Cool Hot Stars In this episode, Jill from the Northwoods takes us on a fascinating journey through the night sky, introducing some of the most…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
49 - Constellations: Stories, Navigation, and Discovery
49 - Constellations: Stories, Navigation, and Discovery In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of constellations—how they got their names, how they…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
48 - The Science Behind Taste
48 - The Science Behind Taste This week, I’m diving into a book that completely fascinated me—Taste: Surprising Stories About Science and Why Food Tastes Good…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
47 - What Can Animals Taste?
47 - What Can Animals Taste? In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of animal taste perception. From cats that can’t taste sweetness to catfish that…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
46 - Turkeys: Nature’s Patchwork Bird
46 - Turkeys: Nature’s Patchwork Bird In this episode, we explore the remarkable world of turkeys, far beyond their reputation as a Thanksgiving staple. From…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
45 - Saturn's Rings: A Vanishing Act
Saturn's Rings: A Vanishing Act In this episode, we explore the captivating world of Saturn, the second-largest planet in our solar system. From its iconic…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
44 - Crows and Ravens, (Republished)
44 - Crows and Ravens, (Republished) In this episode, we explore the captivating world of crows and ravens, two of the smartest and most fascinating birds in…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
43 - Snow, Snow & Ice
43 - Snow, Snow and Ice In this episode, we take a frosty journey into the many types of snow and ice that grace the winter landscape. From powdery flakes to…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
42 - The Power of Citiizen Science
42 - The Power of Citizen Science In this episode, we explore the transformative power of citizen science—a movement that allows anyone, regardless of…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
41 - Embrace Winter for a Better Spring
41 - Embrace Winter for a Better Spring In this episode, we explore how to turn winter into a season of growth, preparation, and joy. Instead of seeing the…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
40 - Decoding Weather Models
40 - Decoding Weather Models In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of weather models and how they help us predict everything from tomorrow’s rain…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
39 - Earth: A Rare Jewel in the Dangerous Universe
39 - Earth: A Rare Jewel in the Dangerous Universe Is Earth just another planet among billions, or is it uniquely special in the vastness of the universe? In…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
38 - Grow Something for Free!
38 - Grow Something for Free! In this episode, we explore the magic of growing plants from everyday grocery store items. From avocado pits to pineapples…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
37 - Caching Food for the Cold Season
37 - Caching Food for the Cold Season In this episode, I explore the fascinating ways animals prepare for winter by caching food. From the highly strategic…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
36 - Exploring The Night Skies with Binoculars
36 - Exploring The Night Skies with Binoculars In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of stargazing, focusing on how anyone can get started…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
35 - Majestic Oak, The Key to the Forest
35 - Majestic Oak, The Key to the Forest In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of oaks, inspired by The Nature of Oaks by Douglas W. Tallamy. Oaks…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
34 - The Noisy World of Geese
34 - The Noisy World of Geese In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of geese. From their noisy presence to their fascinating migration patterns…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
33 - Comets - Wandering Dust Bunnies
33 - Comets - Wandering Dust Bunnies In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of comets—those icy, dusty travelers from the outer reaches of our solar…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
32- Nature’s Transition to Fall
32 - Nature’s Transition to Fall In this episode, we dive into the wonders of autumn. From the changing leaves to the migration of birds, this season brings…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
31 - Why Owls Are So Magical
31 - Why Owls Are So Magical In today’s episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of owls. Owls are known for their wisdom and quiet flight, making them…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
30 - Seeing Foxes and Coyotes
30 - Seeing Foxes and Coyotes In today’s episode, we explore the differences between two common urban canids: foxes and coyotes. Although they’re often…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
29 - Reading the Secrets of Puddles and Rivers
29 - Reading the Secrets of Puddles and Rivers In this episode, we explore the hidden language of water with insights from How to Read Water by Tristan Gooley…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
28 - The Magic of Autumn Leaves
28 - The Magic of Autumn Leaves In today’s episode, we dive into the science behind the stunning colors of autumn leaves. We explore why leaves change color…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
27 - Discovering Rockhounding
27 - Discovering Rockhounding In this episode, we look into the fascinating world of rockhounding—an age-old hobby that combines the beauty of nature with the…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
26 - The Ragweed Rundown
26 - The Ragweed Rundown In this episode, we dive into the world of ragweed, a plant notorious for causing seasonal allergies. I offer tips on how to manage…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
25 - Honeybees Are Always Working
25 - Honeybees Are Always Working In this episode, we dive deep into the world of honeybees, exploring their complex societal structures and the crucial roles…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
24 - Bees are Powerful Pollinators
24 - Bees are Powerful Pollinators In this episode, we dive into the world of bumblebees, exploring their unique behaviors, their crucial role in pollination…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
Witness the Perseid Meteor Shower and Prepare for the Storm!
Witness the Perseid Meteor Shower and Prepare for the Storm! Look for the wonder of the Perseid meteor shower, which is a celestial event that captivates sky…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
22 - Solar Cycle 25 Coming to an End
22 - Solar Cycle 25 (Released Early for July 30 Auroras) In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of solar cycles with a focus on the nearing end of…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
21 - The Layers of Landscape
21 - The Layers of Landscape In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of landscapes and the hidden layers beneath them. From the formation of the…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
20 - Edges and Lines of Ecosystems
In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of ecosystem edges, where different habitats meet and interact. These unique transition zones, known as…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
19 - Fascinating Cranes!
19 - Fascinating Cranes! In this episode, we visit the world of cranes, exploring their unique characteristics, the challenges they face, and the efforts to…
- Buzz Blossom & Squeak — Be a Neighborhood Naturalist
18 - Nature’s Summer Light Show
18 - Nature’s Summer Light Show In this episode, we dive into the enchanting world of fireflies and the science behind their mesmerizing glow. Fireflies, a…