Walkin' on the Wild Side

Our recent travels to Minnesota and the chance to see ermine and pine marten kinda made us think, what about our own weasels here in the South?  Join Marvin and Gabrielle as we talk about the frenetic world of the long-tailed weasel (Mustela/Neogale frenata).  Learn about this  little predator, who, pound for pound has been called the most ferocious predator in the woods and capable of taking down prey twice its size!

Here...

Welcome back to Walkin' on the Wild Side and we have a special podcast in store!  For this episode, Gabrielle and Marvin head up to the great white North, to Sax Zim Bog in northern Minnesota.  This amazing place is an incredible mix of habitats that attract a whole host of boreal species such as northern owl species, winter finches, and a diversity of other critters like ermine, snowshoe hare, etc.  Join us as we broadcast fr...

Marvin is flying' solo on this podcast, but he happens to be talking about one of his favorite plants, the skunk cabbage.  Why?  Well, believe it or not, the skunk cabbage is an amazing plant for many reasons, but it is one of the few plants that can generate heat!  Join Marvin for an enlightening pod cast about a strange, but special plant that lives up to it's name, but is so much more than just a stinky flower.
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Welcome 2023 and this episode, join Marvin and Gabrielle on the front porch to chat about the wildcat of the woods, the bobcat!  Hear stories, listen to observations and experiences with these cats, and learn about the habits, habitats, and interesting biology of this fascinating feline...

Here are some websites about bobcats:
SCDNR Bobcat page
The Nature Conservancy Bobcat Page
25 fascinating facts about bobca...

Happy New Year and welcome to 2023!  We'll kick of another year of Walkin' on the Wild Side by ushering in the "year of the rabbit" on the Chinese calendar.  Join Gabrielle and Marvin and learn some pretty interesting facts about rabbits found in the Southeastern US.  Many folks don't realize that there are multiple species of rabbits in our area, so take a listen and discover some fascinating facts and sto...

For many folks, like Gabrielle and I, when you think of playful critters, the amazing otter comes to mind.  These playful and cute members of the weasel family always look like they are having fun, and they probably are, but they are also amazingly adapted to the semiaquatic lifestyles they lead.  Incredibly smooth and agile in the water, these little carnivores not only are physically adapted to their environment, but studies show...

Coyotes are nearer than you think and chances are, whether you live in the city or the country, you probably have a population of coyotes nearby.  Join Gabrielle and I as we talk about this native canid, how it spread to just about every ecosystem in North America, how it survived incredible and reckless efforts to extirpate it, some amazing facts about this adaptable and intelligent "prairie wolf", and how we're jus...

Turkeys have always been associated with Thanksgiving, but how much do you know about this under appreciated and amazing bird?  Join Marvin and Gabrielle as they talk a little turkey about this large bird that almost became extinct, but bounced back and is once again strutting' their stuff and gracing our landscapes with their bubbly call and prehistoric-like silhouettes.  Happy Thanksgiving!

 To learn more about wild...

Happy Halloween!  This episode features on of the more creepy, fearsome, but definitely beneficial spiders in the Southeast.  Join Gabrielle and Marvin to learn about this large spider, learn how to recognize them, and learn just how CREEPY they can be!  That's not to say they are not beneficial and take care of a lot of pests, but hey, it's HALLOWEEN, right?
To learn more about wolf spiders, check out these websites:...

The West Highland Way is definitely a walk on the wild side, for sure!  Join Marvin and Gabrielle as they chat about their latest adventure, a 96 mile hike in the highlands of Scotland in 8 days and over a 10,000 ft. elevation gain!  Join us from Scotland and London as we cover all the bases of flora, fauna, food, and fun, as well as experiences that highlighted a special birthday trip for Gabrielle...

Here's a few we...

Bats are often misunderstood and underappreciated, but hopefully, after these podcasts, you'll change your mind!  Join Marvin and Gabrielle for a WINDY night on the front porch as we chat with special guest Trevor Walker, wildlife biologist and current Lead Bat Technician with SCDNR.  We'll share our enthusiasm for the beauty and diversity of bats as Trevor shares his passion and knowledge about these amazing little flyin...

Bats are often misunderstood and underappreciated, but hopefully, after these podcasts, you'll change your mind!  Join Marvin and Gabrielle on a windy night on the front porch as we chat with special guest Trevor Walker, wildlife biologist and current Lead Bat Technician with SCDNR.  We'll share our enthusiasm for the beauty and diversity of bats as Trevor shares his passion and knowledge about these amazing little flying...

Groundhogs, woodchucks, whistle pigs, land beaver, or mouse bears...no matter what you call 'em, groundhogs are pretty interesting rodents.  Join Marvin and Gabrielle as they chat about groundhogs, their biology, peculiar habits, and some history and holidays associated with this magnificent marmot!

*CORRECTION - We incorrectly stated Staten Island Chuck, but Staten Island Chuck  was not the groundhog that died in NY,...

Lizards are all around us and not only are fun to watch, but also play a very important role in our ecosystems and around our homes with insects and household pests.  Join Marvin and Gabrielle to learn about the different lizards of the Southeast and their role in our natural world!

Here's a few websites and resources to click on and learn more:
https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/index.htm
https://www.dnr.sc.gov...

Nature is full of surprises and you never know what you're going to see.  In the case of this episode, we found a pair of scissor-tailed flycatchers,  living and nesting nearby and had a lot of fun running around trying to photograph these spectacular birds!  Join Marvin and Gabrielle to learn more about this surprising bird that, in the field guides, "ain't supposed to be here".  Learn about these amazing birds...

Well, we did an earlier podcast on "Fireflies" for episode #2, but after an amazing weekend in the mountains, we saw so much more than fireflies, so here we "glow" again!  Join Marvin and Gabrielle as we talk about nature's night life and the amazing adaptation of bioluminescence.  There are many critters that bioluminesce, and lots can be found from the mountains to the sea throughout the southeast, all yo...

Dragonflies are colorful, fast, acrobatic, and ecologically important, but they are also formidable predators, but in their aquatic nymph and terrestrial flying adult stage, making them truly miniature monsters.  Join Marvin and Gabrielle as they talk about the biology, life history, and adaptations of these amazing insects that have been around for 300 million years!

Here's a few websites and resources to learn more:...

Talk about perfect timing!  Gabrielle and I hit it perfectly and found ourselves absolutely surrounded by the very rare but locally abundant Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies of the Catawba River, right here in little 'ol Chester County and Landsford Canal.  Join us and learn about these amazing flowers and their spectacular show.  We'll share observations, biology, when and where to go, and just our awe and appreciation for thi...

Okefenokee Swamp is one of the last true wilderness areas in the U.S. and it is truly a beautiful and wild place.  Join Marvin and Gabrielle on their 4 day, 3 night trip paddling the black waters of the "Land of the Trembling Earth".  They take you along from "chickee" to "chickee" (camping platforms) and podcast live from the swamp, complete with sounds of this amazing wetland!

Here's a ...