№ 7912 Jul 2026
Art Above the Fireplace: Getting the Scale Right
The two-thirds rule, the right hanging height, and the case for landscape formats: how to size art above a fireplace so the most-looked-at wall in the house finally looks finished.
Glass, cloth, rubber, paper
Tools & Field Gear
Practical dispatches for getting closer to the birds: what to feed them and how, which plants to grow, the feeders and field guides worth owning, and the small kit that makes a morning at the water better.
79 dispatches filed under this habitat
№ 7812 Jul 2026
What to Hang Above a Leather Sofa (When Nothing Looks Right)
The wall above a leather sofa defeats more art than any other spot in the house, and the fix is a palette problem, not a taste problem.
№ 7712 Jul 2026
Humidity-Proof Art for the Beach House Bathroom
An honest guide to which art survives a steamy bathroom, which does not, and why the frame and the fan are doing most of the work.
№ 7612 Jul 2026
Beach House Gifts That Do Not Say "Beach"
How to give something to a beach house owner that involves no anchor motifs, no rope frames and no signs announcing that life is better in flip flops.
№ 7512 Jul 2026
Canada Goose Wall Art: The Migration Classic
Why the black-necked silhouette every American knows by heart makes the most dependable goose print you can hang, and how to choose between a calm pair and a flight scene.
№ 7412 Jul 2026
Christmas Gifts for Duck Hunters
An evergreen Christmas guide for the duck hunter on your list, and the case for a print that will still hang in the den long after this season's gear is retired.
№ 7312 Jul 2026
Coastal Art for Homes That Are Not Beach-Themed
You can live by the water without hanging a single anchor, and quiet wetland art in the style of antique oil painting is how the best coastal homes manage it.
№ 7212 Jul 2026
Federal Duck Stamps: Why Collectors Love Stamp-Style Teal and Pintail Art
For over ninety years the federal duck stamp has funded American wetlands with a postage-sized piece of art, and its composition rules still teach a wall how to behave.
№ 7112 Jul 2026
Godwits, Curlews and the Long-Billed Look
Why the extravagant bills of curlews and godwits draw the strongest lines in shorebird art, and where the open-plain look belongs in a house.
№ 7012 Jul 2026
Lake House vs Beach House Decor: The Real Difference
Lake house and beach house get filed under the same waterfront label, but they are two different palettes, two different moods, and two different birds.
№ 6912 Jul 2026
Lake House Wall Art: The Complete Guide
A room-by-room guide to lake house wall art, from the single big anchor in the great room to the stepped prints in the stairwell, with the scale rules and species picks that make the whole house look deliberate.
№ 6812 Jul 2026
What to Hang in a Hallway That Feels Too Long
Long hallways feel like corridors because nothing asks the eye to pause, and a rhythmic run of landscape prints is the cheapest architecture you can add to a house.
№ 6712 Jul 2026
Loon Prints: The Sound of the North on Your Wall
Why the common loon, with its midnight wail and checkerboard back, makes the most evocative print a lake house wall can carry.
№ 6612 Jul 2026
Mallard Wall Art: A Classic for Dens, Offices and Cabins
Why the mallard drake remains the default American duck print, and how to hang one so a den, office or cabin wall looks considered rather than merely decorated.
№ 6512 Jul 2026
Marsh Birds You Have Never Heard Of (Rail, Bittern, Limpkin)
Rails, bitterns, and the limpkin are the marsh's best-kept secrets, and they make the most interesting bird prints in the house.
№ 6412 Jul 2026
Night Heron Prints: The Moody Coastal Pick
Most coastal art is stuck at high noon, but the black-crowned night heron brings dusk with it and solves the darkest corner in the house.
№ 6312 Jul 2026
Northwoods Cabin Decor: The Loon, the Lake, the Light
Pine, mist, granite, and one loon: how to decorate a northwoods cabin with art that belongs to the lake instead of performing for it.
№ 6212 Jul 2026
Small Wall, Big Effect: Teal and Wigeon Prints
Real houses are full of small walls that defeat big art and swallow tiny frames, and the answer is one properly scaled print with a horizon in it.
№ 613 Jul 2026
Coastal Wall Art: Shorebird Prints for Beach Houses
A room-by-room guide to decorating a beach house with oil-painting-style shorebird prints, from sanderling flocks to piping plovers, brown pelicans, and egrets.
№ 603 Jul 2026
Duck Hunter Gift Guide: 12 Gifts Beyond Gear
12 gifts for the duck hunter in your life that aren't another call or another box of shells, from oil-painting-style waterfowl prints to the small camp gear that actually gets used.
№ 593 Jul 2026
Gifts for Bird Lovers: The Wetland Edition
A gift guide for the wetland bird lover in your life: oil-painting-style prints of heron, loon, kingfisher, and swan first, then the field gear and days out that round out the perfect gift.
№ 583 Jul 2026
Best Waterfowl Prints for the Hunting Lodge
A decor guide to waterfowl prints for the hunting lodge or den: which birds suit the room, how to pair them, dark-wood pairings, and what size to buy for the wall you actually have.
№ 5711 Feb 2026
Can Geese Eat Nuts? Yes, Raw and Unsalted Only
Geese can safely eat raw unsalted nuts in small quantities. Peanuts, almonds, walnuts and pecans are all fine when chopped fine and offered as treats. Salted, smoked, or flavoured nuts are not. Bitter almonds and macadamias should be avoided entirely.
№ 5610 Feb 2026
Black Goose: Which Species You're Actually Looking At
An 'all-black goose' in North America is almost always a Brant (Branta bernicla) - a small saltwater goose of arctic origin. Less commonly it's a feral Cackling, melanistic Canada, or domestic Chinese variant. Here's how to tell them apart by size, bill, and habitat.
№ 5510 Feb 2026
Owls in North Carolina: The 6 Species You'll Actually See
North Carolina hosts six regularly-occurring owl species across the Blue Ridge, Piedmont and coastal plain. Great Horned, Barred, Eastern Screech, and Barn are the four you'll genuinely encounter; Short-eared and Northern Saw-whet appear seasonally. Here's where to find each, and how to identify them by call.
№ 548 Feb 2026
Can Geese Eat Cat Food? Technically Yes, Practically No
Cat food is too high in protein (30-40% vs geese's 10-20% need), too high in salt, and too low in fibre for waterfowl. It won't poison a goose that snatches a piece but it's nutritionally wrong as a regular food. Stick to formulated waterfowl feed.
№ 538 Feb 2026
photograph forthcoming
Can Geese Eat Mango? Yes - Flesh Only, Never the Pit
Geese can safely eat ripe mango flesh in moderation. The pit contains amygdalin (cyanogenic, like apple seeds and cherry pits) and the skin contains urushiol - both should be removed. Chop into pea-sized pieces; treat as an occasional fruit treat, not a staple.
№ 527 Feb 2026
Why Do Geese Drool? Normal, Heat, and Disease
Geese do produce saliva, and they sometimes open the beak and let it visibly run during hot weather - this is gular panting, the avian equivalent of sweating. Persistent thick or yellow drool with swallowing difficulty is something else: usually trichomonosis (canker). Here's how to tell.
№ 516 Feb 2026
What to Plant for Ducks in Standing Water: The Working Five
Five plants do most of the work in a duck pond - sago pondweed, wild celery, smartweed, duck potato, and wild rice. Each one feeds different parts of the duck guild. Here's how to establish them, what depth each prefers, and what to skip.
№ 504 Feb 2026
How to Attract Ducks to Your Pond: The Four-Habitat Build
Wild ducks need four things: shallow margins for dabbling, submerged food plants, predator-proof cover, and nest cavities. Get those four into a one-acre pond and you'll have Mallards, Wood Ducks, and Hooded Mergansers within a single season.
№ 494 Feb 2026
Swans of North America: Trumpeter, Tundra, and Mute
Three swan species occur in North America: the native Trumpeter (largest, with a clarion call), the native Tundra (smaller, more numerous), and the introduced Mute (Eurasian origin, common on parks and waterways). Here's how to tell them apart by bill, voice, and behaviour.
№ 481 Feb 2026
Birds of Prey: A Field Guide to North America's Raptors
North America has 34 diurnal raptors and 19 owls. They split into five working groups - hawks, falcons, eagles, kites, and owls. Here's the per-group breakdown, how to tell them apart in flight, and the eight species you'll see most often.
№ 4731 Jan 2026
Can Ducks Eat Cauliflower? Yes - Steamed Is Best, Leaves Too
Cauliflower is safe for ducks - florets, stems, and the outer leaves are all edible. Steamed briefly is easier to digest than raw. As with all brassicas, feed in moderation to avoid loose droppings. The outer leaves alone are a useful free treat from kitchen prep.
№ 4630 Jan 2026
Can Ducks Eat Cabbage? Yes, and It's Great Enrichment
Cabbage is safe and excellent for ducks - raw or cooked, chopped or whole (hung on a string as a tetherball game). Green, red, savoy, all fine. The single best winter enrichment for a confined flock.
№ 4527 Jan 2026
Can Ducks Eat Almonds? Yes, With Three Important Caveats
Ducks can eat almonds in small amounts but the rules are stricter than most fruit and veg. They must be raw, unsalted, chopped fine, and a treat not a staple. Bitter almonds are toxic. Here's the safe-feeding breakdown.
№ 4425 Jan 2026
Bird Seed Shelf Life: How Long Each Type Actually Lasts
Bird seed isn't shelf-stable forever. Sunflower hearts go rancid in six months, suet in three, and even whole sunflower spoils inside a year if stored badly. Here's the shelf-life table, the smell test, and the storage that doubles the lifespan.
№ 4325 Jan 2026
Why Birds Aren't Coming to Your Feeder: 8 Common Causes
A new feeder can take six weeks to get its first regulars. But if it's been months and nothing is happening, one of eight things is wrong - and most of them are easy fixes. Here's the diagnostic checklist.
№ 4223 Jan 2026
Best Food to Feed Ducks and Geese: The Pondside Shortlist
Bread is the wrong answer. Cracked corn, frozen peas, oats, and chopped greens are the four foods that actually feed ducks and geese without harming them. Here's the per-food breakdown and how much to bring.
№ 4123 Jan 2026
Where to Hang a Hummingbird Feeder (Not a Nest)
You can't buy or build a hummingbird nest - they make their own from spider silk and lichen, and they choose the site. What you CAN place is the feeder. Here's where to hang it for maximum traffic and minimum aggression.
№ 4022 Jan 2026
Baby Ducks: A Plain Guide to Raising Ducklings Properly
Raising ducklings is mostly about three things: warm dry brooder, niacin in the feed, and patience with the water. The mistakes that kill ducklings are predictable, and so is the timeline. Here's the four-week schedule we use.
№ 3921 Jan 2026
How to Attract Northern Flickers to Your Yard
Flickers are the odd woodpecker - they feed on the ground, eat ants by the hundred, and ignore most standard feeders. Here's the suet + lawn + nest-box combination that pulls them in.
№ 3820 Jan 2026
Are Owls Dangerous to Humans? The Honest Answer
Owls almost never attack humans, but when they do it's almost always nest defence by Great Horned, Barred or Snowy Owls. Here are the species that account for the documented incidents, the locations where joggers get struck, and how to avoid being on the wrong end of an angry parent.
№ 3715 Jan 2026
What to Feed Wild Ducks (and What to Stop Feeding Them)
A naturalist's guide to feeding wild ducks - the eight foods that are genuinely safe and useful, the five that cause real harm, and why bread is the worst thing you can hand to a mallard.
№ 3615 Jan 2026
What to Put in a Bird Feeder: The Six That Work
A naturalist's guide to what bird seed actually works - the six staples that attract the most birds, what each one is for, and the two things you should stop putting in your feeder.
№ 3515 Jan 2026
When to Put Up an Owl Box: Timing for North American Owls
A naturalist's guide to the right time to install an owl nest box - late autumn for most species, before squirrels select winter dens, in time for owl scouting in late winter.
№ 3414 Jan 2026
What Are Baby Ducks Called? Ducklings Explained
Baby ducks are called ducklings. A field naturalist's read on what that actually means - the timeline from hatch to fledge, how to tell a duckling from a gosling or a cygnet, and the brood biology that decides how many survive.
№ 3314 Jan 2026
What Can I Feed Ducks at the Pond? The Quick Reference
A short, practical guide to safe and unsafe foods for pond ducks - what to bring, what to leave at home, and how to feed them properly without harming the pond.
№ 3214 Jan 2026
What Colours Do Birds Not Like? The Honest Answer
A naturalist's read on what bird research actually shows about colour aversion - which colours genuinely deter birds, why, and how to use the information practically.
№ 3113 Jan 2026
Owl Eyes: Anatomy of the Best Night Vision in the Bird World
Owl eyes are tubes, not spheres. They can't move. The bird turns its whole head instead. A naturalist's read on the anatomy and what it costs the bird.
№ 3012 Jan 2026
How to Keep Squirrels Out of an Owl Nest Box
The five things that actually keep squirrels out of an owl nest box - pole choice, baffle type, height, entrance hole, and timing. A field guide for backyard owl-watchers, with the products we use.
№ 2912 Jan 2026
How to Make Ducks Like You
Ducks bond with calm, low-postured humans who feed the right food. A naturalist's read on building trust with wild or backyard birds.
№ 2810 Jan 2026
Duck Predators: What Hunts Them and How to Stop It
The thirteen animals that hunt wild and domestic ducks - ranked by where they hunt (water, air, ground) - and the eight protections that actually work. A field naturalist's guide for pond owners and small-flock keepers.
№ 275 Jan 2026
Can Swans Eat Bread? Technically Yes, But Don't
Bread is the worst thing you can feed a swan. It causes angel wing, water pollution, and crop impaction. A naturalist's read of why, and what to feed instead.
№ 263 Jan 2026
Can Geese Eat Bread? No, and Here's Why
Bread is the single worst common food fed to wild geese. A naturalist's read on why it causes angel wing in goslings, fouls park ponds, and what to feed instead.
№ 251 Jan 2026
Best Feeders for Ducks: What Actually Works at the Pond
Ducks won't use songbird feeders. They need low, open, easy-to-access setups. A naturalist's guide to the four feeder types that actually work for waterfowl.
№ 241 Jan 2026
Best Plants for Ducks: What to Grow Round a Pond
A naturalist's planting guide for a duck-friendly pond - the four plants ducks actually eat, the cover plants that keep ducklings alive, and where to put each one.
№ 231 Oct 2023
Blue Birds in Alabama: 14 Species You'll Actually See
A field naturalist's guide to the 14 blue and blue-tinted bird species you'll actually encounter in Alabama - which habitats, which seasons, and how to tell the Eastern Bluebird from the Indigo Bunting.
№ 2220 Aug 2023
How To Build A Barred Owl Nesting Box
If you're interested in providing a safe haven for Barred Owls to nest and raise their young, you've come to the right place. This article will guide you through the process of building a barred owl...
№ 2117 Aug 2023
Cleaning Hummingbird Feeders With Vinegar
Keeping your hummingbird feeders clean not only helps attract more hummingbirds to your yard but also ensures that the birds stay healthy and disease-free. Vinegar is one of the most effective and...
№ 2017 Aug 2023
Where to Hang a Suet Feeder for Optimal Bird Watching
If you love watching birds, then you know how important it is to have a suet feeder that will attract them to your backyard. However, choosing the right location for your suet feeder can be tricky....
№ 1919 Jul 2023
Water Birds in Florida: 27 You'll Actually See
A naturalist's field guide to Florida's 27 most-seeable water birds - which wetlands they prefer, when they show up, and the four locations where you'll see most of them in a single morning.
№ 1829 Jun 2023
Peanut Butter for Birds: A Field Guide to Doing It Properly
A naturalist's guide to feeding wild birds peanut butter - which species actually take it, which jars are safe, the homemade winter mix we use, and the three feeders that survive squirrels.
№ 1727 Jun 2023
What Birds Eat Suet? Species and Feeding Tips
Suet, a high-fat food made from hard fat and other ingredients, is a superfood for birds that provides essential nutrients and energy. Several bird species are attracted to suet due to its high fat...
№ 1618 May 2023
How to Hold a Duck: A Beginner's Guide
Holding a duck may seem like a simple task, but it can be quite challenging, especially for those who are new to handling them. Ducks are delicate creatures that require proper handling to avoid...
№ 1517 May 2023
Duck Anatomy: An Illustrated Field Guide
A naturalist's illustrated tour of duck anatomy - the bill, the feet, the feathers, the digestive system, and the adaptations that make a duck a duck.
№ 1416 May 2023
Do Ducks Smell? Why They Do and How to Fix It
If you have pet ducks, or are considering letting your ducks indoors, you may be wondering, do ducks smell bad? Ducks may emit an unpleasant smell due to a number of reasons. The most common is their...
№ 1315 May 2023
Do Ducks Attract Rats? How to Keep Them Away
While ducks and rats may seem like unlikely bedfellows, the truth is that these two animals often end up sharing the same space. Yes, ducks can potentially attract rats, but not directly. It's the...
№ 1211 May 2023
12 Duck Breeds That Handle Cold Weather
A small-flock keeper's guide to the 12 duck breeds that handle winter genuinely well, the three that don't, and the housing and feed setup that keeps any duck alive through January.
№ 1110 May 2023
Can Ducks Eat Fruit? Yes, in Moderation
Ducks love fruit, but can they safely eat fruit? Yes, ducks can eat fruit, and many fruits can be a nutritious treat for them. Offer fruits like berries, seedless grapes, chopped apples, and melons...
№ 1010 May 2023
What Seeds Can Ducks Eat? (And Which to Avoid)
A balanced and varied diet is crucial for a duck's health, and feeding them the right seeds can provide essential nutrients that help them stay healthy and maintain a strong immune system. So what...
№ 99 May 2023
DIY Duckling Food: How to Make Nutritious Feed at Home
Ducklings require a balanced and nutritious diet to grow into healthy adult ducks. While commercial duck feed is widely available, some duck owners prefer to make their own food at home. Creating DIY...
№ 83 May 2023
Can Ducks Eat Squash? Yes, Seeds Removed
While ducks are known for their love of aquatic plants and insects, introducing some variety into their diet can also provide important nutrients. But what about squash? This colorful vegetable is a...
№ 72 May 2023
5 Ducks with Orange Beaks
Female Mallard, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Muscovy, and others. A naturalist's read on the orange-billed ducks and how to tell them apart.
№ 66 Feb 2023
Do Geese Eat Mice? The Surprising Answer
Geese are fascinating creatures with diverse diets. They eat mostly aquatic plants in the wild, including roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. They will eat small insects, worms, crustaceans, and fish as...
№ 53 Feb 2023
Can Geese Eat Cabbage? Yes, Raw or Chopped
Geese are omnivorous animals, meaning they eat both plants and animals. In the wild, they typically feed on a variety of items including aquatic plants, grains, insects, amphibians, small reptiles...
№ 43 Feb 2023
Geese Behaviour: A Naturalist's Field Guide to the Honkers
Why geese hiss at you, what the V-formation actually does, and how to read a Canada goose's body language. A field naturalist's notes on what's really going on with the most misunderstood bird in the park.
№ 33 Feb 2023
Housing for Geese: A Practical Build Guide
A small-flock keeper's guide to goose housing - what geese actually need, the dimensions that work, the materials that don't rot, and the predator-proofing that matters most.
№ 226 Jun 2022
How Far Can Hawks See?
Hawks are known for their good eyesight and excellent depth perception that allows them to can spot movement from far away. Red-tailed hawks, in particular, have binocular vision, meaning they can...
№ 118 Jun 2022
North American Geese: A Field Guide to the Seven Species
A naturalist's identification guide to the seven goose species that breed or winter in North America - which is which, where they migrate, and the differences most field guides understate.