 | Field Mustard (Mustard Family) and Pepper Grass Blooming now
4. 04. 2020 00:34:02
NATURE IN YOUR BACK YARD. April 3, 2020. What is exploding in yellow blooms on roadsides, fields and in your backyard? Field Mustard! Brassica rapa. Another Member of the Mustard Family! How to identify this plant and another in the Mustard Family is described! Pepper Grass is also featured and how ... |
 | Nature in parking lot, Summer vs Winter Annuals and Speedwell
7. 04. 2020 01:16:37
NATURE IN YOUR BACKYARD April 6, 2020 Nature in your Backyard goes into a back parking lot to discover nature! Veronica sps. are also known as 'speedwells' that will 'speed you well' on your journey.. What is a summer annual? What is a winter annual? The differences are explained! For more episodes ... |
 | Black or german honey bees swarming around this front porch
8. 04. 2020 00:53:43
Nature in your Backyard. April 7, 2020 Nature in your back yard goes to your front yard today! It appears that a colony of HONEY BEES has taken up residence under the front porch of this house in Radford, Virginia. Later today we will meet with a bee keeper and evaluate this situation!!... |
 | A swarm of German honey bees leaves its chemical signature
8. 04. 2020 01:02:15
NATURE IN YOUR BACKYARD. April 7, 2020. Evidence is telling us that a swarm of black honey bees was here not long ago. Most likely, the swarm of bees was underneath the seat cushion of the chair in the background. The chair has a chemical signature or message left on it by the main swarm of bees. Th... |
 | Red Eft stage of Eastern Newt follow up to Newt Adult stage video
8. 04. 2020 23:46:47
NATURE IN YOUR BACKYARD! April 8th 2020. What is happening outside your back door today? The terrestrial 'Red Eft' stage of the Eastern Newt is on the move! Find them now walking across the leaf litter of the forest floor on cool drizzly days! The eff and larval stages are compared in this episode a... |
 | Red Bud Tree flowering in spring
9. 04. 2020 00:05:02
NATURE IN YOUR BACKYARD. April 8, 2020. We are following spring as it unfolds and I could not go another day without featuring the Eastern Red Bud or Judas Tree. How did it get the name Judas Tree? What did Native Americans use it for? Learn the 'story' behind this tree!... |
 | Dragon Flies and Damself flies and there rarely seen aquatic larva
9. 04. 2020 21:27:15
Dragon Flies and Damsel Flies! Nature's ultimate aerial predators! But did you know they live more than half their life underwater? Do you know how to tell them apart. The story of these acrobatic flying insects is told and the aquatic larval stages of each are revealed.... |
 | Jumping Spiders Arthropods
10. 04. 2020 15:00:13
April 9, 2020 A curious Jumping spider moved across a lumber deck to check me out! What do insects and spiders have in common? How can you identify a jumping spider? How did jumping spiders get their name.... |
 | Poison Ivy Woody Vine Leaves of three
13. 04. 2020 16:40:50
If you don't learn to identify any other plants, be sure to learn to identify this woody vine! Poison Ivy is just beginning to leaf out in the Appalachians in early April this year. Leaves of three, let it be, leaves of five, let it thrive!... |
 | Virginia Creeper Woody Vines
13. 04. 2020 17:40:02
Poison Ivy and Vriginia Creeper are often confused by wary outdoor adventurers. In this episode Virginia Creeper is observed just beginning to leave out in early April in the Appalachians. The leaves have a shiny brown tinge similar to poison ivy. How to surely identify each is explained visually ... |
 | Dogwood April 12 2020
14. 04. 2020 15:04:29
The Dogwood tree is the state tree of Virginia. Brilliant flowers in spring, red berries in fall and small size make this a popular tree to plant in your backyard! Best known today as a beautiful accent tree in landscapes, this native tree had many, many uses historically for the unique properties ... |
 | Eastern Newt Breeding April 2020
15. 04. 2020 15:00:21
It is early April so each day I visit this pond in Floyd County Virginia to see what has become active and to look to see if any amphibians have laid eggs. On this day, Eastern Newts, are actively mating and seeking mates. Notes about mating behaviors and egg laying are made.... |
 | Dragonfly nymph - The most ferocious aquatic predator
17. 04. 2020 15:00:10
Before I could even begin filming this huge nymph bit off and at the head of a mayfly. Habits and features of dragonfly nymph are reviewed!... |
 | American Giant Millipede Narceus Americanus
18. 04. 2020 15:00:00
The Applachian Mountains hold some of the greatest diversity of millipedes in the world - over 1000 species. The American Giant Millipede is one of the biggest species! Learn about this species as it is handled live and compared to centipedes... |
 | Tadpoles and Caddisflies Life in early April Pond
20. 04. 2020 17:25:18
A swipe of a net in a Pond in early April reveals pond activity. Along with newts, tadpoles are collected and their metamorphosis will be followed through the summer in future episodes. A stick-case-building caddisfly larva is the surprise guest in the net today and is investigated in this video.... |
 | Spring Salamanders (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) and Generalist vs Specialist Species
20. 04. 2020 22:02:07
Learn about Specialist and Generalist Species! Spring Salamanders (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) are lungless so have to stay close to water and wet at all times! They breath through their skin! Spring Salamanders are found in or near clear, cool, streams, springs and caves making them a specialist sp... |
 | thermogenesis; pollination by carrion beetles and flies - Skunk Cabbage
21. 04. 2020 15:00:32
What plant can melt snow and ice by making its own heat?What plant is pollinated by carrion beetles and flies?What plant has contractile roots that pull it deeper into the ground?What plant smells like a skunk?... |
 | Hemiptera Corixidae - Water Boatman = Loudest Animal on the earth
23. 04. 2020 15:00:34
The loudest animal on the earth (relative to its size) lives here in Virginia! If you think I get enthusiastic about bugs in my videos, wait to you see how excited I am to share this animal story! Can you guess what animal I am talking about and the crazy way it makes this sound?... |
 | Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Native versus Invasive Exotic species
24. 04. 2020 15:00:20
First cataloged in North America in late 1800's, Garlic Mustard is one of few forest floor invasive plants but has significant impact on native spring woodland wildflowers. Learn how to identify this invasive but apparently very desirable edible. Learn the difference between Native and Invasive Ex... |
 | Ring necked Snake (Diadophis Punctatus)
24. 04. 2020 17:25:42
As spring unfolds snakes are becoming active. Is this one Venomous? (poisonous vs venomous? which is correct term? Does this one have fangs? See surprising discussion, learn to identify this species and all about its natural history of this common snake. The difference between Ecotherms and Endot... |
 | Brood IX 17 Year Periodical Cicada How to find and Identify burrows
27. 04. 2020 15:00:23
Brood IX of 17 Year Periodical Cicada will be emerging soon in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. In mid April Cicada larva have been building burrows to the surface in preparation for emergence which will occur in a few weeks when soil temperature warms to 64 degrees. How do you find bur... |
 | How elevation affects local climate and onset of spring
29. 04. 2020 15:00:01
On April 27, 2020 I found took photos and video of forest areas only 20 miles apart but 1000 feet in elevation difference. I found tulip poplar and sugar maple trees at both sites and compared their development. The difference 1000 feet of elevation makes was dramatic! The hypotheses that 1000 f... |
 | What is the difference between bee and Wasp
30. 04. 2020 15:00:14
Can you tell the difference between a bee and a wasp? What are their features? How are they similar? How are they different? Which can sting you only once? Which can sting you repeatedly? Why? What do they eat and how are their body plans related to their diet?... |
 | ID of Venomous Species - Milk Snake Identification /Snake Fungal Disease
2. 05. 2020 21:22:03
Wide ranging discussion of snakes while featuring a Milk Snake in hand. How to distinguish between blotched Milk Snake phase and Corn Snakes is illustrated. General snake features and biology are discussed using this milk snake as an example. A guide to Virginia Snakes produced by the Virginia De... |
 | Green Frog Lithobates clamitans
4. 05. 2020 19:12:29
Can you distinguish between our most common frog, the green frog, and a look-alike bullfrog? Learn about green frog biology, where they live, how they escape predators, their life in an ecotone, and what they eat. What sound does it make? The adult is compared to its tadpole stage.... |
 | What is this about - Introduction to My Channel
4. 05. 2020 20:14:57
My introduction to Nature in your backyard. How to find, recognize, and identify organisms you may find just outside your door! Learn about their biology, natural and cultural history. What is their 'story'?... |
 | Cinquefoil Potentilla simplex historical use as food and medicine
5. 05. 2020 15:00:32
Can you Identify this plant? Learn how to Identify, how it got its name, why this weed was brought to America in the medicinal and herb gardens of early settlers. Can you find this plant growing in your backyard?... |
 | Acanthocephala spp - Leaf-footed Bug
6. 05. 2020 15:00:04
What is a bug? Is a bug a true category of Insects. Is this a bug? Why? How did Leaf-footed Bugs get their name? Learn about this unique hemipteran, Acanthocephala spp and what it does!... |
 | Rock Castle Gorge Trail 5 7 20
8. 05. 2020 15:00:16
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 | Allegheny Mound Ants
11. 05. 2020 15:00:24
Allegheny mound ant (Formica exsectoides) A native species to our area, these ants build interconnected mounds. They may kill vegetation around mounds by injecting them with formica acid. They will defend by biting and in this video how they make that bite worse is explained. Find out how and why t... |
 | Wintercress and Golden Ragwort Spring Roadside Wildflowers
12. 05. 2020 15:00:33
Do you know your spring roadside wildflowers as you cruise down country roads and highways? Here are two common springtime yellow blooming flowers and how to identify them by their contrasting colors (or leaves and flowers when close-up)! Nature in Your Backyard goes to identify what many call roa... |
 | A Native Deciduous woodland-habitat flowering magnolia - Cucumber Magnolia
13. 05. 2020 06:00:09
When you say Magnolia most people think of the grand evergreen Southern Magnolia of the old South! But did you know that the Appalachian mountain forests are home to several native species of deciduous flowering magnolias? Find out more about forest magnolias with this episode on Cucumber Magnolia... |
 | Solomon's Seal and False Solomon's Seal
14. 05. 2020 15:00:22
I am following the succession of blooms of spring woodland wildflowers. These two were found side by side in Patrick County, Virginia on the Rock Castle Gorge trail. Do you know how to identify these two species and tell them apart! You are guaranteed to recognize and correctly ID them by the end... |
 | Slimy Salamanders Plethodon glutinosus
15. 05. 2020 12:00:25
Learn how to identify this species of salamander (Plethodon glutinosus ) how it got its species name 'glutinosus' and all about its biology. The southern Appalachians are known as the salamander capital of the world with over 50 species in Virginia alone!... |
 | Cherry Millipede where to find and how to Identify and what they eat and how they protect themselves
18. 05. 2020 15:00:13
Millipedes are everywhere. You can find many species in the leaf litter just outside your door. Millipedes (Arthropods) play a huge role in recycling nutrients in leaves in forests. There are many species. They do not bite but they are masters of chemical warfare. The cherry millipede gets its nam... |
 | is this really daisy? Does it keep fleas away? Folklore and science - Daisy Fleabane
19. 05. 2020 15:00:29
A plant considered a weed by many has a rich history and lore but also beautiful flowers. Folklore and science and plants are discussed and several botanical terms are introduced in identification. The scientific name is broken down and its original meaning interpretted.... |
 | Wild Strawberry, Indian Strawberry and Cinquefoil is in your backyard
20. 05. 2020 15:00:01
Featuring common plants and telling their 'stories' that you can find in your backyard is my focus. How wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) taste best is debated considering how plants are often crossbred for commercial characteristics other than taste is discussed. How to identify this plan... |
 | Oxalis stricta - Lemon Clover - Sour Grass
21. 05. 2020 19:24:43
What gives this native plant a sour or lemony taste? Is it really safe to eat? How was this plant used by early settlers? What are other useful properties of this plant? Learn how to conclusively identify this ubiquitous native species Oxalis stricta.... |
 | White Clover Trifolium repens Yellow Clover Trifolium procumbens Biology, natural history, uses
22. 05. 2020 15:57:13
There is so much you can learn from clovers in your yard! Flower opening strategies, reproductive strategies, nitrogen fixation, nectar for honey bees, soil enriching, cover crop for grazing animals and much more! How to identify White Clover (Trifolium repens) and Hop clover or Yellow Clover (Tri... |
 | 17 Cicada PART TWO Brood IX Southwest Virginia May 2020
25. 05. 2020 18:32:10
The miraculous coordinated emergence of hundreds of millions of Brood Nine of the 17 year cicada is taking place now in Southwest Virginia. From holes, to underground larvae, Arthropods and exoskeletons, emergence survival strategy of species, and emerging adults, it is all here!... |
 | Pteronarcys What is the story of this 'monster' fly - Giant Stone fly
29. 05. 2020 15:00:00
This is the largest Stonefly species (Pteronarcidae) in North America. A feast for a trout. Trout fisherman try to tie and match flies to both adults and larva. In this video the life history of stonefly (Plecoptera) adults and aquatic stream-loving nymphs is revealed. The adult is in the genus Pte... |
 | Tadpoles Part II 6 1 2020 Tadpole Biology Metamorphosis
2. 06. 2020 15:00:14
Who doesn't like Tadpoles? This is part two of a series watching two species of tadpoles, change, grow, and undergo metamorphosis over the course of the season. One species is mostly likely a Green Frog tadpole 'Lithobates clamitans' while the second is yet to be determined. You can follow their ... |
 | Walnut/Spice Bush/Ground Ivy/Garlic Mustard/Sweet Cicely/Ailanthus - Use smell to identify plants
5. 06. 2020 15:00:04
Here are 6 plants that have a distinctive odor that will help you identify them. The plants are identified as native or non-native and key visual features are described. How you can use smell to confirm identification is discussed in a fun way! Plants included are Black Walnut, Spice Bush, Ground... |
 | Spittlebugs (hemiptera) in White Pine and Virginia Pine
9. 06. 2020 15:00:14
Learn how to identify White Pine and Virginia pine as you find spittlebugs hidden inside their frothy homes. Hanging upside down on plant stems you will find out the surprising way they make this froth and how it helps them. Characteristics of hemipterans are discussed as well as the natural history... |
 | Giant Leopard Moth(Hypercombe scribonia) and Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) caterpillars
9. 06. 2020 21:47:24
The look alike caterpillars known as wooly bear caterpillars were observed on the move in early June. What do they eat? Why are they so often found on the ground. Where are they going? What is their life cycle and what to they turn into? How to distinguish caterpillars of the Giant Leopard Moth (... |
 | Galium aparine. Every part of this plant is like velcro! Why | Cleaver
12. 06. 2020 15:00:00
Cleaver is a sprawling plant that is fun for kids to play with that has unique evolutionary design. It does not produce a self-supporting stem and instead sprawls across other plants instead of wasting its energy producing cellulose-rich structural components. Instead, energy is used to produce se... |
 | Mountain Laurel (Kalamia Latifolia) Know the difference between Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron
19. 06. 2020 06:00:01
Mount Laurel (Kalamia latifolia) and Rhodendron (Rhododendron species) are often lumped into same group. Some people call them both Laurels or Mountain Laurel and other common names. They are actually two different genera of plants. One is in genus Kalamia and the othe in genus Rhododendron. This ... |
 | Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) parasitic plant - Squawroot
23. 06. 2020 15:00:00
Squawroot also known as Bear Corn, American Cancer Root (Conopholis americana) is a true flowering plant that has no leaves or chlorophyll. This video shows you how to identify Squawroot, shows you its flower parts and explains its natural history.... |
 | Ghost Pipe, Indian Pipe, Ghost flower Monotropa uniflora, how to ID, symbiosis Beech tree and fungi
26. 06. 2020 15:00:12
Ghost Pipe or Indian Pipe or Ghost Flower or Corpse flower are just a few common names for Monotropa unifora. A true flowering plant with no leaves or green chlorophyll. It lives by a symbiotic parasitic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. These mycorrhizal fungi are in a mutualistic relationshi... |
 | Folk remedies and Science - Black Willow (Salix nigra) Salicylic acid and Aspirin
30. 06. 2020 15:00:26
In this video viewers will learn to find and identify Black Willow (Salix nigra). Willow bark was used as a remedy for aches and pains and to reduce fever for thousands of years by Greeks, Romans, Native Americans and early colonists. The active chemical in willow bark was isolated and identified a... |