Fieldnotes and Folklore
Fieldnotes And Folklore is a naturalist's view of science, nature, and culture. Naturalist Bekah Simon takes listeners outdoors to learn about what is out there and how different types of people have used or thought about each topic.
Episodes
You asked for it, and now it's finally here! The special cryptid episode on the Fresno Nightcrawlers. This episode, Bekah dives into these seemingly benign creatures, what they might be, and their cultural impact.
Fresno Nightcrawler Videos
- Presentation from the UFO conference in 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_cjmy_ehiI
- Short video containing three different sets of footage: https://www.youtu...
Content warning beginning at 55 minutes 30 seconds: Domestic abuse, homelessness, mental health (does not go into detail)
Continuing through the second half of her road trip, Naturalist Bekah Simon continues reflecting on her travels and experiences. She wraps up the reflections episodes by passing on knowledge from Robin Wall Kimmerer, an indigenous author and scientist, and sharing her own life changes.
Naturalist, Bekah Simon, describes what she has been doing while the podcast has been on pause. Join her as she reflects on her adventures across the country.
*Unfortunately, the audio quality in this episode is not what I normally like it to be. I am hoping to have this fixed by the next time I record.
**Interview with Crystalina Mae to be held on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 12pm eastern time in th...
Naturalist Bekah Simon covers a topic that some people love and some people dread, that four letter 'S' word - snow. Focusing on the conditions for snow to develop and snowflakes, Bekah goes into the science of snow. Weather is deeply tied to folklore around the world, and a few stories are told in the second half of the episode.
Special thanks to Billie Jo, daughter of Crystalina Peterson, for bei...
What represents both health and sickness? The color green! In this episode, Naturalist Bekah Simon continues the Color in Nature series with the color green. Green is abundant in nature and has just as much folklore and history surrounding the color!
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/g...
In this episode, Naturalist Bekah Simon finishes talking about Blue Jays, including a variety of different folklore on this special bird species.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/fieldnotesandfolklore/
- Instagram: @FieldnotesAndFolklore
- TikTok: @FieldnotesAndFolklore...
How are we already to our second Patron picked episode??? This topic was sent in by a listener and picked by the Patrons. Naturalist Bekah Simon covers the scientific aspects of the rowan tree and gives an overview of the vast folklore surrounding this magical tree.
Blue Jays Part 2 will be Episode 16 and will be released on Tuesday, January 9.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, ...
Join Naturalist Bekah Simon as she begins talking about the Blue Jays. In this episode she covers how to identify these colorful and noisy birds, where to find them, gives information on their natural history, and talks about their life cycle.
Blue Jays Part 2 will be Episode 16 and will be released on Tuesday, January 9.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to Fieldnotes...
This week we are continuing the Color in Nature series with the color yellow! Bekah discusses the "color of happiness," its many occurrences in nature, and how it's been used and/or viewed.
Congratulations to the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio for surpassing the Phase 1 goal for Land Back NAICCO! If you would like to donate to this excellent campaign or learn more, follow this li...
Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain! For this special episode, Bekah dives into the topic of cryptozoology. She covers the many difference aspects of this field of study, and then describes a few different cryptids (one of which you may just want to give a hug to).
Origins of Halloween: https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween
Audio editor: Dominic Bower
Want to email th...
To many, poison ivy is a plant to be avoided, but it hasn't always been that way. This episode, Bekah goes into the biology of what causes the irritating skin rash, positive aspects of the plant, and some popular associations.
Audio editor: Dominic Bower
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: http...
Grab some marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers and pull up a seat around the campfire for the first cryptozoology episode! This episode covers the cryptid, Mothman, and the cultural phenomenon in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
The Fieldnotes and Folklore team is growing! Welcome editor, Dominic Bower!
Mothman Museum: https://www.mothmanmuseum.com/
Mothman Festival: https://www.mothmanfes...
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is a tree native to the Midwestern United States. This week dives into what little is known about this under-researched unique plant.
Mothman is coming in two weeks! Send your Mothman theories to FieldnotesandFolklore@gmail.com as well as any stories you may have with encounters with any cryptids.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to...
Exciting announcement this episode! Find out what the episodes on the 0's (10, 20, 30, etc.) will be about, learn about this past week's blue super moon, and focus in on the color orange in nature.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/fieldnotesandfolklore/
- Instagr...
Carrots are a staple crop for much of the world. But did you know that the plant the domesticated carrot comes from can often be found in your backyard? On this episode, Bekah discusses Daucus carota, also know as Wild Carrot and Queen Anne's Lace.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: https://facebook.c...
Fireflies (also known as lightning bugs) are found all around the world. They are incredibly fascinating beetles, both scientifically and from a cultural standpoint. Join Bekah Simon as she tells the story of the firefly.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/fieldnotesandfolklore/<...
Color in Nature - Red is the first Patron picked episode! Thank you to The Rusted Rabbit for this great topic suggestion! In this episode, Bekah discusses what color is, what causes it in plants and animals, how plants and animals use color, examples of the color red in nature, and cultural associations with red.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.c...
This week naturalist, Bekah Simon, explores the topic of the Eastern Gray Squirrel. Learn all about these high energy mammals, and some fascinating cultural stories of squirrels.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/fieldnotesandfolklore/
- Instagram: @FieldnotesAndFolklore
Learn about meteors with naturalist, Bekah Simon, before the upcoming Perseid Meteor Shower in a couple weeks. Discover basic terminology, a brief history of meteors, what they have been viewed or believed as, and how to best watch "shooting stars."
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: https://face...
Forest bathing or forest therapy has become a popular trend online, but what is it? Join Bekah as she explains what forest bathing is, the health benefits that come from it, and how to do it.
Want to email the show? Send your questions, comments, and ideas to FieldnotesAndFolklore@gmail.com
Social media:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/fieldnotesandfolklore/
- Instagram: @FieldnotesA...
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