 | Imported Black Willow Leaf Beetle (Plagiodera versicolora) and how plant ID leads you to insect ID
3. 07. 2020 15:00:03
In the last video you learned how to identify a Black Willow tree. In this video you will learn how knowing the name of a plant can easily lead you to finding and identifying insects associated with that particular plant. Many plants have particular insects that feed on their leaves, sap or nectar ... |
 | Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) The Adult stage of the aquatic hellgrammite. Order Megaloptera
7. 07. 2020 15:00:21
In this video I hold and formidable-looking adult male Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) in my hand! The males live only three days and are nocturnal so adults are rarely seen! While showing off this giant insect, one of the biggest in North America, I tell the story of its life history. What they ... |
 | Woodland Box Turtle Terrapene carolina carolina (Common Box Turtle or Eastern Box Turtle)
10. 07. 2020 15:00:06
In this video I share about the biology and Natural history of the Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). Viewers will learn how to distinguish or identify male and female box turtles. How long to box turtles live is addressed. Amazing video of a female box turtle in the egg laying process is s... |
 | Sawyer Beetle/White-spotted Sawyer Beetle (Monochamus scutellatus) Longhorn Beetle (Spruce sawyer)
14. 07. 2020 15:00:20
In this video you will learn how to identify Longhorn Beetle known as the White-spotted Sawyer Beetle or Spruce Sawyer Beetle (Monochamus scutellatus) in both the adult and larval (grub) stage. I explain how to identify both adults and grubs. How to distinguish between adults males and females is d... |
 | What insects do this? Family Passalidae - Bess Beetles are the BEST Parents in insect World
17. 07. 2020 15:00:36
Less than 1 percent of world's insects parent their young but Bess Beetles do! From egg to pupa male and female Bess Beetles provide parental care. See a Bess Beetle up close, learn how to identify it, these docile insects are great for children! I explain how you can find them in rotten logs in ha... |
 | Five things everyone should know about Black Snakes (Panterophis alleghaniensis (Black Rat Snake)
21. 07. 2020 15:00:09
In this video I wrangle with a wild four foot long Eastern Ratsnake (Black Rat Snake as I review five things everyone should know about this frequently encountered species. 1. Black snakes are not always black! 2. Black snakes imitate venomous species like rattle snakes. (you will see a black snake ... |
 | Laetiporus sulphureus really earns its name | Why Chicken of the Woods
24. 07. 2020 15:00:27
Chicken of the Woods has a reputation as one of most 'MEATY' of the Fungi.The scientific name Laetiporus sulphureus and is both saprophytic and parasitic. Foragers report the best flavor (and safety) comes from those that grow on oak trees. The fungus feeds on decay wood making it a saprophyte but ... |
 | American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) A fun, engaging, informative lesson on the this common toad
28. 07. 2020 15:00:16
The American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) is found at my backdoor and the toad and I explain its life history. But first, the difference between frogs and toads are compared and contrasted. How to identify the American Toad is explained. I highlight the paratoid glands on the toad which release the... |
 | What now 2020? What is the real science behind this headline - Zombie Cicadas
30. 07. 2020 17:42:58
The news cycle has captured the hearts and minds of the public with a sensational headline: Zombie Cicadas! What is the real story about Zombie Cicadas and where did this originate? The media picked-up on an article entitled 'Behavioral Betrayal:How select fungal parasites enlist living insects to... |
 | Discover this bold bio-luminescent fungus and where you can find it - Jack o' Lantern Mushroom
31. 07. 2020 15:00:16
Jack o' Lantern fungi Ompholatus illudens grows on decay oak logs and decaying roots and its bio-luminescence can be seen at night. I explain how they are toxic non-edible and can be mistaken for edible chanterelles. I explain that a mushroom is really just a fruiting body of a large mass of unseen... |
 | the red eft and warning coloration in nature - Eastern Newt's most toxic stage
4. 08. 2020 15:00:14
The most toxic life stage of the eastern newt: the red eft is explained in this video and how its bright color aids in its survival. Rather than camouflage the eft stage advertises its presence with a bright orange/red color. The scientific name of the newt is Notophthalmus viridescens and also kno... |
 | What you should know - Chanterelle mushrooms compared to toxic look-alike Jack o' Lantern Mushrooms
7. 08. 2020 15:00:04
I had just completed and episode on bio-luminescent Jack o' Lantern mushrooms and a couple days later I found Smooth Chanterelles! Edible chanterelle mushrooms are highly prized for their flavor and texture while Jack o' Lantern fungi are highly toxic! I compare and contrast edible Cantharellus... |
 | Lungless Black-bellied Salamanders - How to find, identify and learn about SALAMANDERS! Featuring
11. 08. 2020 06:00:04
Taking place stream-side I show Black-bellied salamanders-up close, along with being sure the distinction is made between reptiles and amphibians, salamanders and lizards with some comparing and contrasting. The life cycle of Black-bellied (Desmognathus quadramaculatus) Salamanders is discussed and... |
 | Eastern Rat Snake) Pantherophus sps.) - Five Black Rat Snake defense strategies you need to know
14. 08. 2020 15:00:21
Black Rat Snake in hand, this snake demonstrates for us all the different ways it will defend itself or avoid predation. A fascinating array of behavioral and physiological strategies are displayed. First the snake lies motionless and tries to avoid detection. Second, the snake will try to escape... |
 | Mushroom and fungus - Fungal Diversity and understanding the true meaning of terms
18. 08. 2020 15:00:02
I take viewers for a walk in a forest mid-summer and highlight the incredible diversity of fungal species by seeing the mushrooms that each individual fungal species have revealed. I address some misconceptions in biology of fungi. I explain how mushrooms are not the fungus themselves. You need to... |
 | How to find your own Ant Lion - Ferocious ANT LION predator FILMED capturing ant in pit trap
21. 08. 2020 15:00:10
If you want to find an ant lion and see one yourself, it is not hard to do! I will show you how to identify, find, and capture an Ant Lion to look at up close! I go on site to a picnic shelter in a local park and show you what to look for. I show you how to recognize pit traps and two techniques t... |
 | Everything you need to know to find/identify plus little-known remarkable historical uses - Milkweed
25. 08. 2020 15:00:00
In this video, on a roadside walk, I teach you how to find and identify Common Milkweed! I will compare it side by side to look-a-like Dog Bane (Indian Hemp/Aposcynum cannabinium), as well. I break down the scientific name Asclepius syriaca and its relation to the Greek God of Medicine. The second... |
 | Everything you need to know - How to find Monarch Butterfly eggs and caterpillars on Milkweed
28. 08. 2020 15:00:05
I take you directly to a patch of Common Milkweed and show you how to find monarch eggs and/or larvae. I explain and show what pin head size monarch eggs look-like and where they are located on Milkweed. I explain why there is rarely more than one egg on any milkweed plant and why the eggs are alw... |
 | Easy craft project - How to make the best DIY bug box or critter cage at practically no cost
30. 08. 2020 18:34:59
I show how to build a well-ventilated critter cage or bug box with plastic jars, fiberglass window screening and a glue gun. The design was part of my series on rearing monarch caterpillars from finding milkweed and monarch eggs to eventual tagging and release. Ventilation is very important to keep... |
 | How to make DIY critter cage for Monarchs, other butterflies, and any insect. Low cost, easy to make
1. 09. 2020 00:28:20
In this video I show viewers how to make a insect critter cage that is large enough to place a vase of water with fresh milkweed or flowers. The cage feature a full opening velcro front door and well ventilated with screening on all four sides. A materials list is found below. The cage is made wi... |
 | How to care for Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars at home
1. 09. 2020 15:00:02
Follow-up to earlier episodes on identifying and finding Milkweed and finding eggs and caterpillars. Now you have a caterpillar! Now what? How do you care for it? In this video I show you different ways you can rear caterpillars in different kinds of containers, on leaves or on plants with full st... |
 | Monarch instar larva stages and caterpillar diseases. Metamorphosis and molting explained
4. 09. 2020 15:00:15
In this video I explain and compare complete and incomplete metamorphosis, exoskeletons and endoskeletons, molting and some common monarch diseases and parasites. This is part of my continuing series on Monarchs and the migration phenomena that encourages hands-on participation with home rearing of... |
 | Introduction to NATURE AT YOUR DOOR
7. 09. 2020 23:02:11
My goal is to engage children and families in learning about Nature/Biology/Life science just outside your door! I have been in education for almost 40 years and this channel began as an outreach to kids sent home to in the spring 2020 Covid19 crisis. My videos are fun and engaging but I teach s... |
 | the Story of the Monarch Butterfly. Structure and Function - The Caterpillar Stage
8. 09. 2020 15:00:01
The Monarch caterpillar is the focus of this video and how its structure relates to its function. The video is based on the physical anatomy (structure) and how the parts are used (function) for survival. I review the head with 12 eyes, mandibles, antennae, maxillary palps and discuss their use and... |
 | larva explained/how to determine sex of chrysalis/and the story of the transformation | Monarch J
11. 09. 2020 15:00:04
In this video I review the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly and focus on the behavior and transformation of the 5th instar larva after it has finisihed eating. I show the formation of the silken pad or button and how the caterpillar hangs as a J for around 24 hours before shedding its skin to be... |
 | How to ensure safe emergence from the chrysalis, see it happen, and ID sex of butterfly and tag
15. 09. 2020 15:00:08
When chrysalis are formed in the wrong place or when they fall, what to do is explained in this video. After the first 24 hours a chrysalis can be moved and either hung from a string or placed on a paper towel in an 'emergence' chamber. I show both ways in this video. Viewers can also watch the ec... |
 | 9/6/20 - New Introduction to NATURE AT YOUR DOOR
15. 09. 2020 19:56:38
My goal is to engage children and families in learning about Nature/Biology/Life science that is just outside YOUR door! I have been in education for almost 40 years and this channel began as an outreach to kids sent home in the spring 2020 Covid19 crisis. My videos are fun and engaging but I tea... |
 | I discovered all three stages of the Red-spotted Newt, ON THE SAME DAY
18. 09. 2020 15:00:11
The life history of the Red Spotted Newt (Eastern Newt) (Notophthalmus Viridescens) is explained. I was able to find all three live stages 1. aquatic larval newt 2. the terrestrial eft stage and 3. the aquatic adult stage. This is one of the most unique life histories of any salamander with multip... |
 | Put to the test - What can an Eastern Ratsnake (Black snake) climb
25. 09. 2020 20:32:58
In this video a cooperative black snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) demonstrates its superior climbing ability! The Eastern Ratsnake is put to the test: climbing vertical trees of all sizes, rock walls, and even vinyl siding! The terrestrial and arboreal snake may be one of most visible snakes... |
 | Everything you need to know about this nursery web Spider - Fierce Fishing Spiders are great moms
2. 10. 2020 15:00:00
Fishing Spiders are some of largest in North America! They are in nursery web spider group and protect their offspring until they are ready to venture out into the world. This video features a large female fishing spider that was observed over a period of about a week watching over her offspring. ... |
 | Diadophis punctuatus) - Everything you need to know about Ring-necked snakes
9. 10. 2020 15:00:07
This harmless snake is technically a venomous snake with mild toxin in its saliva and rear-facing, fang-like projections in the back of its mouth. You will learn how to identity and distinguish between the Northern Ring-necked Snake as well as the Southern Ring-necked. Where Ring-necked snakes c... |
 | Identification and the complete natural history of Sceloporus undulatus - Fence Lizard
16. 10. 2020 15:00:46
I discovered an Eastern Fence Lizard, literally, outside my door! In this video I breakdown their common names and scientific names and how they got them! I thnk compare lizards and salamanders for those that may still be confused on which is which! I show video and photos of this lizard in its nat... |
 | Grey Tree Frogs Pt 1. Discover the mystery on this Appalachian Summit
23. 10. 2020 15:00:05
While I was hiking the Appalachian Trail in Virginia I was shocked to discover Gray Tree Frog tadpoles in a tiny puddle on a sandstone rock summit at 3,199 feet above sea level. I discuss why they are there, how they survive and the environmental challenges they face. Awed by how nature will take ... |
 | Learn to identify Maple Trees now and make your own maple syrup in February
25. 10. 2020 18:56:14
In this video I will show you the basics of Maple Tree Identification. Sugar Maple, Red Maple, and Silver Maple are all common trees that yield sap to make Maple Syrup when tapped. This is a good time to identify maple trees to use later this winter to tap to make syrup. Making maple syrup is a fu... |
 | Five Fascinating Frog Fun Facts about Gray Tree Frogs - Gray Tree Frog Pt 2
30. 10. 2020 14:00:02
This video follows up Pt 1 where I discover Gray Tree Frog Tadpoles in a puddle in a rock at 3,199 ft summit on the Applalachian Trail in Virginia in late September. I explain how to identify Gray Tree frogs and the difference between Copes Gray Tree Frog (24 chromosomes, 2N) Diploid and the Gray T... |
 | Is the Black Widow Spider the most venomous spider in North America
6. 11. 2020 15:00:13
I found a Black Widow Spider under a dog bowl just outside my back door and took the opportunity to film this episode on the most venomous spider in North America. I present five important facts about the Black Widow spider. The black widow spider bite is very dangerous. I explain how to identify... |
 | Five facts about Mantis revealed - Fact or Fiction - Do Praying Mantises really eat Humming Birds
13. 11. 2020 15:00:08
Rumor and photos have flown around internet showing praying mantises eating hummingbirds! Fact or Fiction? Doctored photos? In fact, a scientific journal article has reported a 150 instance where this has occurred. It is rare occurrence but has been documented. Primarily, praying mantises are inse... |
 | Isabella Tiger Moth Caterpillar) - Can Woolly Bear REALLY forecast winter? Five Researched Facts
20. 11. 2020 15:00:25
In this video about Woolly Bears, also known as the Woolly Worm or even Hedgehog caterpillars, I will address 5 fascinating facts about Woolly bears. Also included is analysis of what is fiction and how stories of Woolly Bears got started! I begin with breaking down the scientific name of the Woo... |
 | How it spread from native range and possible symbiosis with ice age Mammoths - Osage Orange tree
27. 11. 2020 15:00:09
The original range of the Osage Orange tree was in a narrow band in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Maclura pomifera was also known as Hedge Apple, Bois d'arc and Monkey Brain. It was spread beyond its range by Native American Indians who valued its wood for the bows it produced and early settlers w... |
 | Wolffia sp - Watermeal - What is the smallest flower in the world? It may be in pond near you now
4. 12. 2020 15:00:27
The Duckweed Family, Lemnaceae include the smallest flowering plants in the world. In this video, I discover two members of the Duckweed Family: Duckweed, Leman sp. and Watermeal, Woffia sp. growing together in a pond.... |
 | 'On Rose Petals and Mud' Special edition by my grandson Henry Taylor
6. 12. 2020 15:14:05
My grandson's interpretation of Nature at your Door! Enjoy!... |
 | Check out Duckweed's unique survival strategy - How do organisms survive winter and freezing temps
11. 12. 2020 15:00:09
Organisms have many different strategies to survive winter. Some organisms burrow deep, others fly south, some loose leaves and become dormant, some hibernate, some have anti-freeze in their blood, and others over-winter as eggs. There are many different and fascinating strategies to survive long ... |
 | Bark centipede/Scolopocryptops sexspinosus) - Five facts you need to know about Centipedes
18. 12. 2020 15:00:02
In this video a Bark Centipede is temporarily captured and observed before being released again to where he was found. The centipede is a Bark Centipede. Mostly likely Scolopocryptops sexspinosus). With video and close-ups I explain 5 facts about Centipedes: 1. Their classification: Phylum arthrop... |
 | Some Facts About Sand Dollars Georgia Usa - Copy of Live Feed
22. 12. 2020 16:22:53
This was a live video from Tybee Island where I found both a sand dollar endoskelton and a complete possibly living sand dollar that I later returned to the ocean. I discuss how to know, when you find a sand dollar if you can keep the 'shell' or if you should throw it back in the ocean if it is ali... |
 | Delectable winter forage prize, but did you know it is also carnivorous predator - Oyster Mushrooms
25. 12. 2020 15:00:03
In this episode a friend calls me to ask about a mushroom that was actively growing in her yard, surprisingly in the winter! Upon examination I determined it was an Oyster Mushroom, Genus Pleurotus ( and likely to be Pleurotus ostreatus). I explain how to identify this species by shape, color, whe... |
 | Some strategies and tracking animals in the snow - How do organisms survive winter
27. 12. 2020 06:00:08
In this video I walk through the frozen and snow covered landscaped of a deciduous forest in the temperate climate of Floyd County Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian mountains. I discuss various strategies of trees, insects and mammals to survive long periods of below freezing temperatures. A... |
 | So what is it - Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) Not Spanish, Not moss.and has no roots
8. 01. 2021 15:00:31
Spanish Moss drapes trees in the south and gives the huge live oaks of Savanah, Georgia its iconic appeal. This video explains the misnomers of its name. It is not spanish nor is it a moss! So what is it. Spanish moss in is actually a true flowering plant of the Angiosperm group. It is in the Br... |
 | SNOW SHOE FUN in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, USA
9. 01. 2021 15:48:30
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 | Deciduous tree biology, photosynthesis/xylem/phloem, bark ID, history of and DIY Maple Syrup making
12. 01. 2021 23:10:30
In this video I visit a Maple Tree in mid-winter in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, specifically Floyd County, Virginia. I discuss the winter dormancy of the tree, how sugars made by photosynthesis in summer are stored in roots. i explain how water and sugar move down in a tree through special v... |
 | A natural oddity, found world-wide, and locally is one of our Winter Edible Mushrooms - Wood Ear
15. 01. 2021 15:00:06
In this video I discover Wood Ear mushroom on a winter walk. Many species of edible and not mushrooms can be observed in winter. Here I share some of these species I observed on a winter walk in the Appalachian Mountains. I focus on the Wood Ear mushroom, describe its different names, examine its ... |