Birds
Writer’s Block? Nevermore!
I finished off 2023 at my favorite writing retreat: a trip back home. I returned to my hometown of Peoria, IL, where I was born
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Book Stories
November: Gone in a NaNo Second!
For many writers, November is the month for NaNoWriMo. This event encourages people to put 50,000 words towards any novel. Unfortunately, I usually start the
Tales From Elaine
That’s a Pile of Horse Poo!
A friend and I rode in the Sitgreaves National Forest near Overgaard, AZ. Located in the southern parts of Navajo, Coconino, and Apache counties, it
Science Education
As Fast as a Tortoise
At Iguanaland in Punta Gorda, FL. I met a very friendly Aldabra tortoise named Aly. Aly was enjoying a graze of the grass when I
Book Stories
Vampire…Tortoise?!
What do you think of when you hear or read the word ‘vampire’? Does your mind go to the human Count Dracula, or perhaps it’s
Conservation
R.I.P. Little Mariana Fruit Bat
The US Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced a list of 21 species formally declared extinct. And while any species extinction is distressing, it was
Tales From Elaine
Adventures of a Bully
Recently, I boarded my horse at an interesting barn in Overgaard. My horse enjoyed his stay, I’m happy to say. But what made it particularly
Living with Reptiles
Fast Food: Roadrunner Edition
After writing a couple of books about reptiles (Don’t Call Me Turtle! and Don’t Make Me Rattle!), I wrote a book about roadrunners. I’m not
Science Education
How to Make a Monsoon
Here in the Sonoran Desert, changes in the weather occur before the monsoons arrive. Humidity and dew points increase. Replacing our comfortable dry heat –
Conservation
Celebrate Snakes!
Snakes often make the list of least understood and disliked animals. But since World Snake Day is on July 16. I think it’s time we
Living with Reptiles
Tortoise Emergency? Max to the Rescue!
When a friend needed help with her dog, I offered to foster him as long as he got along with my reptiles. I was very
Curtis Tails
Summer Fun with Curtis Curly-tail!
Hey, kids, it’s me Curtis Curly-tail! I know I haven’t blogged in a long time, but hopefully, you’ve been keeping up with my activities on
Snakes
What is the Color of a Snake’s Tongue?
Have you ever thought about the color of a snake’s tongue? I hadn’t until recently when a snake flicked its tongue at me. Let me
Birds
Excuse Me, is This Chair Taken?
I was outside recently and went to sit down in a cushioned chair as I often do, but this morning, I found the chair occupied!
Plants
Yellow is the Color of Spring!
Growing up in Illinois, I knew the blooming of the forsythia bushes meant spring had arrived. The bright yellow flowers of the large bushes added