Bay Naturalist

As the days grow shorter and cooler, the skies fill with birds migrating to warmer climates for the winter. The Chesapeake Bay watershed lies … Read Story

The Chesapeake Bay watershed contains thousands of miles of freshwater streams and rivers. These waterways support a diverse range of aquatic … Read Story

Autumn always seems to sneak up. Slowly, the heat and humidity of summer is replaced with cooler, drier days. Here and there, autumn colors pe… Read Story

Pollination is the moving of pollen from the male part of a flower, the anther, to the female part, the stigma. This transfer is necessary for… Read Story

Father’s Day: A day when children take a moment to appreciate their fathers and thank them for helping to support the family, give advice and … Read Story

According to a report published in Science,written by researchers from seven institutions, North America’s bird population has declined by nea… Read Story

Throughout the Northeast, spring rains are creating temporary pools in small depressions in woodlands and meadows. Known as vernal pools, thes… Read Story

After Hurricane Sandy mauled the Atlantic Coast in October of 2012, scientists and conservationists have been working to “strengthen” the shor… Read Story

Just as we each must adjust to the winter, animals, too, have to cope with dropping temperatures and less available food. Survival strategies … Read Story

As I walked through a tiny wooded trail near my home, I tried to tread softly so I could spy any birds or mammals remaining for the winter. It… Read Story

It seems that just as we’re beginning to enjoy the autumn season, fiery colors are replaced with grays and browns; dry leaves carpet the lands… Read Story

 “If you have a brook trout population that survives in a stream, that stream is in good shape, and if you have reproducing populations in the… Read Story

At the bottom of our streams and rivers lives an incredible, yet often unnoticed animal: freshwater mussels. Read Story

In the Lower Chesapeake Bay, a small horse moves through the underwater beds of eelgrass looking for food. No, it’s not a pony like the famous… Read Story

This year, we celebrate Pollinator Week from June 22–28.  Read Story

Spring has always been my favorite season and May is probably my favorite month. Trees are leafed out, creating curtains of bright green that … Read Story

Diversity is the spice of life. Nowhere is this more apparent than where land and water meet. The blending of terrestrial and aquatic environm… Read Story

Warmer, longer days, spring flowers and the chorus of frogs and songbirds lure me outside to get moving. And for fish it is no different. Earl… Read Story

Along the Atlantic Coast, a quiet sparrow blends in with the grasses of the salt marsh. Often hard to spot as it gathers food to bring back to… Read Story

You may not live on the Chesapeake Bay or any other waterfront, but chances are there is a stream, creek or river close to where you live. Read Story

During November there is a tradition that links almost all Americans. And I am not talking about the U.S. holiday, Thanksgiving. Read Story

With Halloween quickly approaching, images of bats are appearing everywhere. October also happens to be Bat Appreciation Month. Read Story

Although the month of September can still hold some sultry days, wildlife throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed is already receiving signals… Read Story

Every summer, as the Earth enters a region of space containing high concentrations of solar debris, nighttime skywatchers are rewarded with a … Read Story

Plants, like animals, must create offspring for the next generation. Read Story

A few weeks ago, I took advantage of the lovely spring weather to begin sprucing up my yard, neglected during months of cold and rain. Not man… Read Story

Arbor Day and Earth Day. Both of these celebrations encourage tree planting. Whether you are working on a community greening project or just w… Read Story

The first day of spring is March 21, but March can be a fickle month with weather bringing everything from icy winds or snow to downright balmy days. Read Story

With the holiday season upon us, our attention turns to giving gifts to friends and family or ways to contribute to charities. Thoughts also t… Read Story

Many people do not realize that native bees have been pollinating the continent’s flowering plants long before honey bees were brought from Europe. Read Story

Halloween. It’s probably your children’s (and maybe your) favorite day of the year with candy, costumes, pumpkins, scary movies and ominous images. Read Story

Towering over coffee-colored waters, a majestic tree, the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), dominates isolated swamps of the Chesapeake Bay w… Read Story

Summer nights in my backyard include the usual wildlife visitors: crickets, toads, bats and the occasional deer. But one particularly steamy A… Read Story

It’s incredible the variety of fish that can be caught around the Chesapeake Bay. Freshwater creeks, brackish rivers and the Bay proper all su… Read Story

Except for perhaps insects, birds are usually the first wild animals we encounter in our lives. Before ever going to a zoo or aquarium, or on … Read Story

In the shallows of the Chesapeake Bay, underwater Bay grasses sway in the aquatic breeze of the tides and currents. Also known as submerged aq… Read Story

Although the vernal equinox — the official first day of spring — occurs on March 20, changes in our natural world are already heralding the en… Read Story

Loons are the submarines of the bird world. Webbed feet gracefully propel this bird underwater, giving the impression of submerged flight, as … Read Story

Even as our society continues to depend more on technology for everyday activities and recreation, our love of nature and connection with the … Read Story

This spring, a pair of ospreys returned to a webcam nesting platform in Baltimore’s Masonville Cove. Read Story

With Halloween quickly approaching, images of bats are appearing everywhere. It’s a good time to take a look at one of the most incredible ani… Read Story

With warm days still hanging on, it’s hard to remember that summer is waning. Though it may not be that obvious, September is a month of chang… Read Story

Chesapeake summers. They’re hot and humid. We are drawn to the Chesapeake Bay and its many rivers for a cooling dip. Read Story

June is packed with opportunities to interact with wildlife and the outdoors. But can you imagine what the outdoors would be like without poll… Read Story

Timing is everything. Each spring, shorebirds migrate from wintering grounds in South America to breeding grounds in the Arctic. These birds h… Read Story

For many Chesapeake Bay watershed residents, mallards and resident Canada geese are the most common waterfowl encountered. These two species a… Read Story

April showers may bring May flowers, but begin looking for early blooming flowers now. Read Story

Few Americans have seen the shy and elusive bobcat (Lynx rufus). And yours truly is no exception. Read Story

Mistletoe has been part of many European cultures and used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. When these peoples migrated to the Ne… Read Story

“A wild trout in its native habitat is a compact example of the Earth working well.” — Christopher Camuto Read Story