In this podcast we cover the history of the wild turkey. This bird was transported from Mexico to Europe and then to North America. Join us to find out how the wild turkey made it back from the brink of extinction. Thanks to John Howard for the turkey photo.

Note:  Bill and Bob attempted to do this podcast in front of a live audience at the Amish Bird Symposium. Bob was a Turkey and forgot to press record! We have so much great information on the wild turkey that we decided to break it into three podcasts.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Why Are Wild Turkeys So Aggressive
• 9 Fun Facts about Turkeys
• Have You Been Attacked by a Turkey
• Why Wild Turkeys Hate the Wild

Bill and Bob attempted to do this podcast in front of a live audience at the Amish Bird Symposium. Bob was a Turkey and forgot to press record! We recorded this in our outdoor studio at Bobʼs house a few days later. We have so much great information on the wild turkey that we decided to break it into three podcasts. Photos thanks to Lisa Keys and John Howard.

Our sources for this episode include:

• The Word Detective
• 14 Fun Facts about Turkeys
• What is a bird’s snood?
• Eight Wild Facts About Wild Turkeys

You might not see this little frog but you will have no trouble hearing them. Find
out all about the frog that is the size of a small paper clip. Photos thanks to John Howard.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Fall Peepers
• Pinkeltinks
• Spring Peepers
• 10 Things You Didnʼt Know about Spring Peepers

If you hear what sounds like ducks in the early spring take the time to check it out. You may end up at a vernal pool that has wood frogs.

Our sources for this episode include:

• In Alaska Wood Frogs freeze for seven months
• Wood Frogs are Explosive Breeders
• Wood Frog
• Ten Facts About Wood Frogs
• Science Around Cincy – interview with Frog Cryobiologist Clara do Amaral 

You may need to go out of your way to see mole salamanders but it is totally worth it. We hope this podcast will inspire you to go out some warm and rainy early spring night to look for mole salamanders.

Our sources for this episode include:

• The Secret Lives of Salamanders
• Ohioʼs Salamanders: 24 Good Things to Know
• Spotted Salamanders
• Ambystomatidae – Mole Salamanders
• Jefferson Salamanders

This is one of Bob’s favorite birds. In the Cincinnati area it arrives in late fall and it leaves in early spring. Tune in to find out why this bird is often used in research projects and where to look for it in your neighborhood.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Ordinary Extraordinary Junco (videos)
• Dark-eyed juncos – a sure sign of winter
• 10 Fun Facts
• Dark-eyed Junco the Snow Bird

Bill says you should not have a skunk as a pet! You probably figured this out on your own but what if you run into a skunk outside? Nature Guys will share what to do if you or a pet get sprayed. Spoiler alert do not use tomato juice!

Our sources for this episode include:

• Pet Skunks
• Snuggling Skunks: Is It Better To Brave Winter Alone Or In A Group?
• For the Love of Skunks
• Striped Skunk Foraging

Bob finds out that not all snowflakes are unique. Bill remembers cutting out snowflakes in class after he walked though the snow to get to school. Bob hopes to take his grandson Drew to the hill he sledded down as a kid. Bill and Bob are excited to go outside and try to find different kinds of snowflakes.

Our sources for this episode include:

• 15 Incredibly Cool Facts About Snow
• 9 Interesting Facts About Snow
• 10 Facts About Snow That Might Surprise You
• Book that Bill Loves: The Snowflake: Winter’s Frozen Artistry by Kenneth Libbrecht and Rachel Wing, 2015
• How to make a 6 pointed snowflake from paper

Bobʼs brother-in-law Al sends an email detailing his encounter with a groundhog in his garden. As Al found out groundhogs will put up a fight for garden vegetables.  Photo thanks to Mark Applebaum.

Our sources for this episode include:

• 9 Things You Didnʼt Know About Groundhogs
• Groundhogs in Your Garden
• Groundhogs by National Geographic
• Groundhog Fun Facts

 

Bob has a spider friend named Fred that does not survive a visit from relatives. These spiders can be really scary but they are pretty much harmless. They are also called fishing spiders and have interesting ways that they ‘fish’ for food. Photo thanks to John Howard.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Big Spiders Are a Little Scary
• Fishing Spider
• Facts about the Fishing Spider
• Common Fishing Spider