Earlier this year, my youngest (and largest) dog was cornered on the deck by something that was clearly very scary. I rushed to rescue him and immediately saw the fearsome creature: this lovely Northern Parula Warbler ( Setophaga americana ). ( No birds were harmed in the taking of this photo ). The Northern Parula is one of about 20 species of migratory warblers that breed on PEI. I’m no birder, but the Parula Warbler’s distinctive call is one of the few I recognize: a fast

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI. Today we have an insect that people often mistake for a fungus. Meet Woolly Alder Aphids ( Prociphilus tessellatus ).   From a distance, Woolly Aphids do look like some sort of fluffy, fungal mould on the branch of a tree. But take a closer look and you’ll see that those fuzzy clusters are actually dozens – sometimes hundreds – of individual insects crowded together.   The

Many of PEI’s wild animals are more often heard than seen – none more so than Cicadas. Most of us immediately recognize their...

PEI has showy wild plants that outshine any domestic blooms I can think of. One flowering now is the lovely Blue-flag Iris ( Iris...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI! I was thrilled to get this photo...

This spring, I’ve been introducing you to some of PEI’s early-season fungi. Today’s example hits the trifecta: it’s common, easy to...

Here on PEI, we’re in that brief but magical part of spring when the days are long, it’s pleasantly warm, and the onslaught of blackflies...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI! Today’s topic comes from my own...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI. Winter is great time to spot...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI. I’ve had a few questions about...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist: your own personal “Google” for information on all things natural on PEI.  Judging by the more than 50...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist: your own personal “Google” for information on all things natural on PEI. Summer is peak season for...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist: your own personal “Google” for information on all things natural on PEI.  I’ve been getting lots of...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist: your own personal “Google” for information on all things natural on PEI.  I’ve been getting quite a few...

June is peak wildflower season on PEI.  Over the next month, I’ll show you some of my favourites ranging from showy to subtle to...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist: your own personal “Google” for information on all things natural on PEI!  Over the past week or so,...

Winter is the best time for finding wildlife tracks and sign, but before leaf-out in spring is second on my list.  Being able to see...

Some of PEI’s natural habitats punch well above their weight – their importance far exceeds the area they occupy in the landscape....

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist: your own personal “Google” for information on all things natural on PEI! I’ve been getting a lot of...

Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist: your own personal “Google” for information on all things natural on PEI! Over the past week, I’ve had...