The presentation provides an overview of the importance, life history, and conservation of crop-pollinating native bees. Also included is information on the great things the NRCS is doing for pollinator conservation in the U.S.

Squirrels inside your house can be more than a nuisance. Here's some reasons why:

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Zinnia elegans (Image: public domain)

Zinnia, a genus of 20 species, can easily be started from seed or bought from a local garden center. They flower easily and work well in containers. The most common species of zinnia attract bees and butterflies via the flower and wild birds via the seed heads.

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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers up a clear, short, detailed article on attracting wildlife to small spaces.

This pamphlet is designed to give you ideas on how to turn your porch, deck or window into a wildlife garden, with helpful hints on how to arrange food, water and shelter elements of habitat for wildlife in small spaces. Songbirds, butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and moths comprise the majority of wildlife species that will visit a porch, deck or window wildscape.

From National Geographic:

This summer scientists hope to finally crack the case of the mysterious ailment afflicting bats in the U.S. Northeast—before time runs out for the animals and the local environment.

Want to know why bats are important? See Attracting Helpful Bats Good for the Environment, You, and the Bats.

Have a problem with squirrels invading your home?

Whether they are living in your walls, attic, or other space, you can try the following solutions to the problem:

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Scientists are seeking to determine why honeybees and bumblebees are dying off in the United States and in other countries, and the new study indicates that emissions from power plants and automobiles may play a part in the insects' demise.

Want to attract woodpeckers to your wildlife porch, patio, deck, or balcony?

Northern Flicker (Image: Natures Pic's)

If a species of woodpecker is in your area, the easiest way to attract is to provide their preferred food in certain feeders.

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On a personal note --

I started this blog after some radical life changes last summer (I married, quit my job, moved two states away, sold the old house, and became pregnant).

My hopes were to stick with several articles a week for the blog, but I may have to downgrade my posting frequency yet again for this summer.

The baby is due anytime in the next few weeks, and we move into our own home at the end of June

I'm going to try to stack up several feature articles to take care of you, my reader, while I'm fighting sleep deprivation and changing diapers.

Hang in there! I'll be back full-force as soon as life allows.

Male Northern Cardinal (WikiMedia)

Are you fortunate enough to live in an area where you see cardinals?

Are you interested in trying to attract cardinals to your porch, patio, deck, balcony, or other small outdoor space?

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A link to Cornell's information on the Northern Cardinal.

Another field guide entry on the Northern Cardinal. It includes audio of the cardinal's voice, as well as audio for similar-sounding species.

Cardinals belong to a group of birds called "grosbeaks", meaning that they have a thick bill especially adapted for cracking open and eating seeds

Cornell's All About Birds profile on the cardinal that lives near the Mexican border.

Well, I'm recovering and ready to start writing again. I'll try to have my Friday feature ready to go at the usual time, and it will definitely be done by Friday COB regardless.

Thanks for hanging in there!