Charles Darwin's theory of evolution explains not only how creatures became good at securing food sources and surviving in the wilderness, but also how they produce the next generation. A good example of this, explains Bowdoin professor and Maine Audubon trustee Nat Wheelwright, is the male Wood …
Nat Wheelwright
Nature Moments: Galls, Cankers, and Witch’s Brooms
In his latest Nature Moments video, Bowdoin professor and Maine Audubon trustee Nat Wheelwright asks: Have you ever noticed tumor-like growths on plants? Fungi, insects, mites and bacteria are like "body snatchers," penetrating plant cells and manipulating them to produce galls, cankers and …
Nature Moments: The Odd Thing about Mosses
In his latest video, Bowdoin professor and Maine Audubon board member Nat Wheelwright explains that mosses are among the most ancient plants on earth -- and their peculiar biology shows it. The lovely leafy green plant that all of us are familiar with? It has just half the normal number of …
Nature Moments: Sugar Maple Tappers
In February, when it's still frigid at night but daytime temperatures are starting to warm, it may look like trees are just sitting their doing nothing -- but inside their cells, changes are happening and sap is starting to flow, explains Bowdoin professor and Maine Audubon trustee Nat Wheelwright …
Nature Moments: How to Keep a Nature Journal
The latest Nature Moment from Nat Wheelwright and acclaimed natural history writer Bernd Heinrich gets at the gist of what it takes to be a naturalist: being attentive. (Bernd authored the excellent feature article on this topic in our Fall 2017 issue of Habitat magazine.) Do you sometimes wish you …
Nature Moments: Outsmarting Squirrels
Check out Nat Wheelwright's latest "Nature Moments" video! Why is it so hard to keep squirrels off birdfeeders? After all, they're just rodents with brains the size of a ping-pong ball. Squirrels are such amazing problem-solvers because they're observant, social, experimental and …
Nature Moments: Life Under the Ice
Check out Nat Wheelwright's latest "Nature Moments" video! Have you ever wondered what could be living underneath the ice of a frozen pond? With no light or air, and temperatures just above freezing, you'd think life would be impossible, but... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K50XY0nZNr0 Nature …
Nature Moments: Leaf Behavior in the Cold
In the latest Nature Moments video, Bowdoin professor and Maine Audubon trustee Nat Wheelwright takes a closer look at the fascinating ways some plants hold onto their leaves throughout the year -- including through the freezing winter months. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF9qclhZbPs Nature …
Nature Moments: Leaping Snow Fleas
The latest Nature Moment video from Nat Wheelwright takes a close look at a creature that can be easy to miss in winter -- the Snow Flea. What animal can jump 100 times the length of his body – without using any of his six legs? Take a walk in the snow on a sunny February day and look closely in …