… in trees for shelter and protection from the elements. What you see as a messy clump of leaves is actually a structure formed from sticks and then lined with leaves and other materials to make … Are my neighborhood squirrels somehow related to the Three Little Pigs ? Since I know that is not the case, I started to speculate: Perhaps squirrels are attracted to that particular view. … branch over a lawn. Could it be that this spot also puts their predators at risk and therefore is actually a safer place to live? I don’t know! So, I started looking around to see if there was …
Type: Blog
… Chicago Botanic Garden. But to Jim Steffen , senior ecologist at the Garden, the oak woodland is a bustling center for natural processes and species, and may hold answers to unsolved … their presence was integral to the entire community of life in the woods. Carex bromoides is one of many sedge plants essential to the woodland ecosystem. “I started getting more into how … natural community of the past, Steffen does aim to grow an oak woodland of today. “My goal is to increase the native species diversity and improve the ecological functioning that is going …
Type: Blog
… incredible ability to harness the energy of the sun. But when you come to realize that there is a whole world living within them, you can’t help but be amazed. Imagine driving into a parking … and ceiling are too close together, and we might have the feeling that the roof of the car is going to collide with something. Now imagine this same scenario, only this time, imagine it … America . The details of the publication can be found at Charlie’s website charleyeiseman.com/leafminers. …
Type: Blog
… its hind legs with pollen from the eryngo, and they are now swollen and bright yellow. Pollen is also sticking to the hairs on its thorax and underside. It is a good pollinator! Carpenter bees and Mason bees are native to our region. Honeybees are not … The red admiral, with its characteristic red stripe across the middle of the upper wings, is common in our area. 4. Azure butterfly This tiny gray-blue butterfly is an azure. Some azures …
Type: Blog
… March to begin pruning and complete the work before the buds begin to plump and open, as this is the optimal window to prune apple trees for plant health. Over the years, I have been in every … are easier to prune than others, and some are downright intimidating. The one tree that is the most difficult to prune has been named “The Spirit Breaker,” and we always draw straws to … on production (and which can be very aggressive) and less on plant health. The difference is that every cut we make is carefully made by hand back to a branch or bud, without violating …
Type: Blog
… greatest achievements. Their transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly is truly mind-boggling when you really think about it. Seeing one is a joy. Seeing hundreds at one time is truly amazing! I had the pleasure of photographing butterflies at Butterflies & Blooms in …
Type: Blog
… and relaxing, and something the whole family can do. Ephemeral art uses found materials and is created and left in the environment. It is temporary and evolving. The materials can include anything you find outside, such as sticks, … to size Create a “frame” from sticks and make a picture inside The beauty of this activity is its simplicity. Focus on the process, not the finished product. As you are collecting and …
Type: Blog
… Simplicity is critical in creating a striking Instagram photo. Here are some tips to help you reduce … to your pictures. The most important thing to keep in mind when photographing for Instagram is that your photo will be viewed at a relatively small scale. Your composition needs to grab the viewers’ attention as they scroll through their feed. Nature is full of beautiful detail, intricate patterns, and delicate textures. However, keep in mind …
Type: Blog
… & Blooms exhibition features a huge variety of live butterflies. One interesting example is Caligo atreus, also known as the yellow-edged owl, or our favorite: the magnificent owl. When the butterfly is resting, the eyespots of Caligo atreus are clearly visible. Photo by Stuart Seeger via Wikimedia Commons This blue beauty is in the genus known as the owl butterflies ( Caligo ). They’re called owl butterflies because …
Type: Blog
… collections from diseases, pests, and weeds in an environmentally sensitive manner. Tiddens is a certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture and serves as the Garden's lead arborist in managing tree care and risk assessment. He is also the containment director for the Butterflies & Blooms exhibition and is responsible for butterfly health and management as well as the permitting process through …
Type: Staff bio
