Animals-and-Pets

Birds & Blooms
Sap Tappers
Listen for drumming as the yellow-bellied sapsucker looks for sweet treats in the trees.
2 min |
October/November 2022

Birds & Blooms
A woodpecker's world
From tree-climbing downies to ground foraging flickers to sap-loving sapsuckers, woodpeckers delight and entertain us with their unique markings, fascinating flight patterns and distinctive drumming sounds. Here are fun facts to enrich your viewing of these dashing birds.
3 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
Zoom in on - Butterflies
Photographing the fast fliers requires patience, but these snapshots from readers prove it's worth the wait.
2 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
Easy Breezy Gardening
Seven tips for a beautiful low-maintenance yard with minimal fuss and effort.
2 min |
June/July 2022

Birds & Blooms
Light Up the Night
Discover what makes lightning bugs so eaptivating.
2 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
Ask the Experts
Summer plants that monarchs love, hummingbird habits and more!
5 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
Golden Moments
The haze of summer offers prime conditions for bird-watching.
2 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
Succulents for Pollinators
Discover drought tolerant plants that provide nectar for bees, butterflies and birds.
2 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
Best New Dahlias
One-of-a-kind introductions that offer a variety of blooms and sizes.
4 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
Scrub, Rinse, Repeat
What you should use to clean feeders and how often to do it to keep birds healthy.
2 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
oops! COMMON TOMATO MISTAKES
Vine-ripe tomatoes are some of summer’s great joys —here’s how to avoid 11 missteps and harvest a bumper crop.
3 min |
August/September 2022

Birds & Blooms
Hummingbird tales
EACH EVENING during our family vacation in Ridgedale, Missouri, a female ruby-throated hummingbird passed through the branches of a tree just off our porch. I brought my camera out one night in anticipation of her arrival and, sure enough, there she was. I hung over the railing to grab a series of images. The light and the lovely bird were amazing and the blooms looked like fireworks. It's a great memory from a wonderful trip with family.
3 min |
June/July 2022

Birds & Blooms
Defending Their Turf
Why hummingbirds guard their territories so fiercely.
3 min |
June/July 2022

Birds & Blooms
Hummingbird Magnets
Attract these busy fliers with nectar-packed salvias.
5 min |
June/July 2022

Birds & Blooms
Ask the Experts
Solving hummingbird mysteries, plant problems and much more.
5 min |
June/July 2022

Birds & Blooms
mini marvels
HUMMINGBIRDS HAVE TRAITS THAT MAKE THEM ENTERTAINING, BUT THOSE SAME QUALITIES HELP THEM THRIVE.
3 min |
June/July 2022

Birds & Blooms
perennial nectar favorites
Attract more hummingbirds year after year with flowers that require less time, maintenance and money.
4 min |
June/July 2022

Birds & Blooms
Small and Feisty Fliers
Meet Calliope hummingbirds and attract them with native plants.
2 min |
June/July 2022

Birds & Blooms
Growing Trends
Spring, the season of new garden beginnings, is upon us. Here are the crazes that four industry pros forecast for this year.
4 min |
April/May 2022

Birds & Blooms
A Thrill of Color
Buntings always stand out in a crowd-learn where to find them and the field marks that set these birds apart.
4 min |
April/May 2022

Birds & Blooms
Greet Grosbeaks
Attract rose-breasted grosbeaks with insects, fruits, seeds and plenty of room to perch.
2 min |
April/May 2022

Birds & Blooms
Flights of Fancy
Painted lady butterflies rival monarchs in their migratory journeys.
2 min |
April/May 2022

Birds & Blooms
Nature Reflections
Readers look back at their spring birding highlights.
3 min |
April/May 2022

Birds & Blooms
New Plants for 2022
Find fresh flower varieties to spruce up your landscape.
4 min |
April/May 2022

Birds & Blooms
Hanging Pretty
Design and create baskets brimming with gorgeous blooms and foliage.
2 min |
April/May 2022

Birds & Blooms
FOR THE LOVE OF Mom
In honor of Mother's Day, readers reflect on plants with special meaning.
1 min |
April/May 2022

Birds & Blooms
Get to know Goldfinches
American goldfinches may be common, but they're full of surprises.
1 min |
April/May 2022
Birds & Blooms
Create a Safe a Bird Haven
"Dish out seeds in a healthy environment."
2 min |
February/March 2022
Birds & Blooms
Hints of Spring
"Readers photograph birds in thawing backyards and parks."
2 min |
February/March 2022
Birds & Blooms
Create a Wildlife Oasis
"10 easy ways to make your yard a better place for birds, bees, butterflies and more."
4 min |