Seeds have many ways to get out into the world. Greg shares fascinating strategies plants use to disburse seeds. Related episodes: Hedge Apples , Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch Our sources for this episode include: Falling Far from the Tree: 7 Brilliant Ways Seeds and Fruits Are Dispersed Daniel Janzen - Bio and Research The Ghosts Of Evolution: Nonsensical Fruit, Missing Partners, and Other Ecological Anachronisms by Connie Barlow Lengyel, S.; et al. (2009). Chave, Jerome (ed.). "Ants Sow the...
Feb 02, 2021•44 min
Gia and Bob are in Bob's backyard on a cold winter afternoon talking all about alligators. Alligators are a great American success story. Thanks to Christina Zorn for the great research! This episode is part of our Keystone Species series. Keystone Species series episodes: Firefighting Beavers Our sources for this episode include: Definition of Alligator Alligator Biology and Behavior JW Lang and HV Andrews, J Exp Zoology (1994) Temperature-dependent sex determination in crocodilians. Cramp Meye...
Jan 26, 2021•31 min
Recently I ran across a title of a new book that peaked my interest. Curious to know more I did an Internet search and found out that this book is written by someone I think you may recognize. Erin Brockovich has become a household word thanks to a movie by the same name released in the year 2000. I got a hold of a copy of the book and after reading it realized it would be the perfect end to the water series. If you haven't had a chance to listen to the first two parts I encourage you to do so. ...
Jan 19, 2021•45 min
Charles Van Rees joins Bob to discuss the importance of freshwater and its relationship to biodiversity. This is part two of a three part series. Related episodes: What the Heck is Water Firefighting Beavers Salmon are a Gift Sit Spot Our sources for this episode include: WWF Living Planet Report 2018 Van Rees et al., 2020 - Safeguarding freshwater life beyond 2020 United Nations Water Development Report 2020 Global Water Partnership: Water and Ecosystems...
Jan 12, 2021•43 min
Charles Van Rees joins Bob to discuss something we can take for granted. Water is an amazing substance and Charles has some insights as to why it is essential to all life on earth. This is part one of a three part series on water and its importance to all living things on earth. Related episodes: So You Want to Be a Naturalist , Sycamores Can Be Huge Trees Our sources for this episode include: Water: The Science of Nature's Most Important Nutrient by Len Kravitz Vandas et al., 2002: Water and th...
Jan 05, 2021•22 min
It has been a challenging year for everyone including Nature Guys. Losing Bill Creasey in August was a loss for everyone who values connecting to the natural world. It would take a village of naturalists to replace him. Well we don't quite have a village but we have been able to assemble an amazing team to carry on the work of Nature Guys. Tune in to find out what Bob discovers at his sit spot. This episode also serves as a preview of the first five episodes in 2021. Related episodes: Sit Spot O...
Dec 29, 2020•11 min
Awhile back my sister Suzanne called me. She was excited because a pair of mourning doves had nested on an upstairs window ledge of her house. As it happens I was reading David Sibley's book What It's Like to be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating, to Singing What Birds are Doing and Why. My sister is a great lover of books so I made her an offer I knew she could not refuse. I suggested that I would send her a copy of the book if she would put together some questions that I might use in this ...
Dec 15, 2020•44 min
Listeners often ask me what can you do to help out Nature Guys? This is our annual Giving Tuesday podcast and I have a very specific call to action for this episode. Donate what you can to a great organization that means a lot to Bob. Tune in to find out how you can donate. Our sources for this episode include: Imago Giving Tuesday Today's episode is sponsored by Cinfed Credit Union . You have questions, Cinfed has answers! Providing financial services for more than 85 years to a wide area aroun...
Dec 01, 2020•26 min
Witch Hazel is an amazing and strange plant. It took naturalists a long time to figure out what might pollinate it. Greg Torres, a very talented horticulturist, joins Bob to discuss a plant that you can find blooming in December. Our sources for this episode include: The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden by Rick Darke and Douglas Tallamy Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy Evolution and biogeographic diversification of the witch-hazel genus (Hamamelis...
Nov 17, 2020•31 min
Introducing Gia Giammarinaro as my cohost for todays episode. Gia is the lead Naturalist at Cincinnati Parks California Woods Nature Preserve . Her favorite rodent is the beaver. How many people do you know who lunch with beavers? Gia was actually on the Parachuting Beaver episode and returns with an amazing story she found in National Geographic. Related episode: Parachuting Beavers Our sources for this episode include: How beavers became North America's best firefighter https://www.nationalgeo...
Nov 03, 2020•31 min
I got a wonderful email from Kim who homeschools her children and wanted some advice. Her oldest son is hoping to do something in the field of nature. I also received this email from Charles Van Rees a Conservation Biologist and Naturalist offering to be a guest on the show. "I want first and foremost to thank you for bringing your expertise, humor, warmth, and energy to a great podcast on natural history. I recently moved from a crowded city in Europe to rural Montana, and have been looking for...
Oct 20, 2020•20 min
Nature Guys Podcast spends lots of time connecting you to nature on this amazing planet. We are excited to have Dean Regas the astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory ( https://www.cincinnatiobservatory.org/ ), as a special guest on Nature Guys. After this episode I think you are going to be inspired to step outside and look up. 100 Things To See In The Night Sky by Dean Regas https://www.cincinnatiobservatory.org/dean-regas/about-dean/ Looking Up podcast https://www.wvxu.org/programs/looking#...
Oct 06, 2020•26 min
Cohost and Cofounder of Nature Guys Podcast sadly passed away in August 2020. Bill's dream was for Nature Guys to continue connecting people to the natural world. Read Bill's obituary at http://www.springgrove.org/obituary.aspx?id=5351
Sep 01, 2020•8 min
Next time you pass by an old chimney keep your eye out for this amazing bird. They can eat three times their own weight every day. Our sources for this episode include: Chimney Swift Conservation Association (project directors Paul and Georgean Kyle) http://www.chimneyswifts.org/ "Chimney Swifts America's Mysterious Birds above the Fireplace" by Paul and Georgean Kyle "New Habitat for America's Mysterious Birds" by Paul and Georgean Kyle Chimney Swift https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chimney_...
Aug 18, 2020•36 min
People often put out Purple Martin houses to help control insects. In fact the Martins in the eastern United States could not exist without these houses. Our sources for this episode include: How to Attract Purple Martins https://www.purplemartin.org/purple-martins/attracting/ Fun Facts About Purple Martins https://www.thespruce.com/fun-facts-about-purple-martins-387110 Interesting Facts About Purple Martins That Will Make You Go Wow https://birdeden.com/interesting-facts-about-purple-martin Pur...
Aug 04, 2020•28 min
Find out the amazing story of how the House Finch made its way all the way across the United States. Our sources for this episode include: House Finch https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/lifehistory Interesting Facts about House Finches https://animals.visualstories.com/interesting-facts-about-house-finch House Finch or Purple Finch? Here's How to Tell Them Apart https://www.audubon.org/news/house-finch-or-purple-finch-heres-how-tell-them-apart Crossley Field Guide Books https://cros...
Jul 21, 2020•27 min
It is challenging to be a bluebird. Learn what you can do to help this beautiful bird. Our sources for this episode include: Eastern Bluebird (includes plans for how to build a nesting box) https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/overview 8 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Bluebirds https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/facts-about-bluebirds/ Interesting Eastern Bluebird Facts http://www.birdhouses101.com/eastern-bluebird-facts.asp Fun Facts About Bluebirds https://valparaiso...
Jul 07, 2020•31 min
Damselflies are beautiful creatures. Best of all they do not bite or sting. Our sources for this episode include: Damselflies - Interesting Facts on These Beautiful Insects http://EzineArticles.com/6148223 What is the difference between Dragonflies and Damselflies? https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/odonata/frequently-asked-questions/ 10 Things you may not know about Damselflies https://natureformysoul.com/2016/06/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-damselflies/...
Jun 30, 2020•23 min
Dragonflies are something you want to have around. They love to eat mosquitoes! Our sources for this episode include: Migratory Dragonfly Partnership http://www.migratorydragonflypartnership.org/ 14 Fun Facts about Dragonflies https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/14-fun-facts-about-dragonflies-96882693/ 7 things you never knew about dragonflies https://www.treehugger.com/things-you-never-knew-about-dragonflies-4864302 Fun Facts about Dragonflies https://www.threeriversparks.org/blog/fun...
Jun 23, 2020•32 min
Native bees are incredibly efficient at pollinating plants and they are very docile. Our sources for this episode include: 6 Amazing Facts About Mason Bees https://www.keepingbackyardbees.com/5-amazing-facts-about-mason-bees/ The Leafcutter Bee https://www.buzzaboutbees.net/leafcutter-bee.html Crown Bees (where Bob got his bees) https://crownbees.com...
Jun 16, 2020•36 min
Bob learns that you can see this frog in the winter! Related episodes: Green Frogs Sing the Blues , Gray Treefrogs Freeze , Wood Frogs Quack It Up , Jeepers Spring Peepers Our sources for this episode include: American Bull Frog (National Geographic) https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/a/american-bullfrog/ American Bull Frog (NatureMapping) http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/american_bullfrog_712.html American Bull Frog Facts https://www.softschools.com/facts/anima...
Jun 09, 2020•27 min
Bob has a conversation with Mark Kurlansky the award winning author of Salmon: A Fish, the Earth, and the History of Their Common Fate . Our sources for this episode include: Mark Kurlansky (visit his web site at http://www.markkurlansky.com/ ) Salmon: A Fish, the Earth, and the History of Their Common Fate by Mark Kurlansky The World Without Fish: How Kids Can Help Save the Oceans by Mark Kurlansky Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky...
Jun 02, 2020•34 min
Bill reveals something he learned in school. Green frogs can be blue! Our sources for this episode include: Green Frog https://animals.net/green-frog/ Northern Green Frog http://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/assets/uploads/animals/pdf/NorthernGreenFrog.pdf Northern Green Frog https://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/more-than-just-the-bay/chesapeake-wildlife/northern-green-frog-at-home-in-the-bog.html...
May 26, 2020•27 min
Gray treefrogs are hard to see but easy to hear. Special thanks to our friend and naturalist John Howard for the amazing photos. Our sources for this episode include: Gray Treefrog https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/gray-tree-frog Cope's Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) https://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/hylchr.htm Gray Treefrog https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/graytreefrog.htm Science Around Cincy: Clara do Amaral – Frog Cryobiologist https://sciaroundcincy.com/2019/07/25/clara-do-amal/...
May 19, 2020•27 min
Bob challenges you to try to find more 'nuts' than a squirrel. Our sources for this episode include: The Kids' Wildlife Book by Warner Shedd http://warnershedd.com/
May 15, 2020•5 min
Grey Squirrels are easy to see in certain areas. They are really cute even when they are eating all your birdseed! Our sources for this episode include: Eastern Gray Squirrel https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/eastern-gray-squirrel/ Squirrels: Diet, Habits & Other Facts https://www.livescience.com/28182-squirrels.html 22 things you may not know about squirrels https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/happy-squirrel-appreciation-day...
May 12, 2020•27 min
Bob invites artist Adrian Hawk to tell us how we can do Land Art right in our own neighborhoods. Our sources for this episode include: Andy Goldworthy Digital Catalogue https://www.goldsworthy.cc.gla.ac.uk Imago Rangers - Land Art https://imagoearth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Day-7-Land-Art-.pdf
May 08, 2020•7 min
Bob has his back yard torn up. He is amazed to find Blue Violets returning in pure clay soil. Our sources for this episode include: Common Blue Violet https://www.gardenexperiments.com/common-blue-violet/ 7 Fun Facts about Violets https://www.teleflora.com/blog/7-fun-facts-about-violets/ Interesting facts about violets http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-violets/...
May 05, 2020•25 min
Bill and Bob remember a fun outside activity they did as kids. Our sources for this episode include: Let's Go Outside by Jennifer Ward https://www.jenniferwardbooks.com/
May 01, 2020•9 min
Bill talks with Thane Maynard the Director of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Learn how Thane went from a kid chasing gaters in Florida to the head of one of the best zoos in the world. Resources mentioned include: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden http://cincinnatizoo.org/ Cincinnati Zoo live safaris on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/live Cincinnati Nature Center https://www.cincynature.org/ Center for Plant Conservation https://saveplants.org/ African Parks: Savin...
Apr 28, 2020•26 min
