Bryan's Blog

The Adventures of a Field Biologist and Boy Explorer

The 2019 Monarch Migration Report

The forecast this autumn calls for Monarchs — maybe even lots of them in some places.

The Extinction of Meaning

Now that the Trump administration has advanced its plan to weaken the Endangered Species Act, here’s my essay, first published at Medium.com, about our fading ties to wildlife and wild places. 

A Tiger Tale

In sun-dappled woods in southern Vermont, the discovery of a rare and charismatic dragonfly ended a mystery that began two years ago.

Messin’ With Texas

To leave Vermont in summertime is to take leave of your senses. But here’s my justification: a shock-and-awe dragonfly.

Of Black Flies and Bog Fritillaries

When you time your visit just right, about when the black flies and mosquitoes unite to defend their bogs from the likes of you, there is nothing better on earth than a Bog Fritillary.

What’s Next: Green Alert

The slow-motion spring across the northern forest now moves into a season of diversity, abundance and flight.

When Songbirds Fall to Earth

Delivered from the fog, the grace and irony of tired warblers feeding at my feet on Monhegan Island, Maine.

A Bog in Bloom

On an Atlantic White Cedar Bog in Maine yesterday, I did not find Hessel’s Hairstreak. But that’s okay. I turned my lens instead toward plants.

The Falcon and the Flycatcher

Here on Monhegan Island, a flycatcher dies in a falcon’s grip, and then falls gracefully to earth.

YELLOW ALERT

The gradual outbreak of spring across northern forests this year — more reluctant than most any I can remember — now brings us to peak yellow.

What’s Next: Warblers

I am grateful that the leaves are taking their time arriving this spring. That’s because the warblers are coming. Well, actually, the warblers are already here. So please see them — now.

RED ALERT

Across much of the eastern U.S and adjoining Canada, springtime begins not so much with a blast of green but rather a display in 50 shades of red. Here is your super-bloom (and lesson in gender identity) from Red Maples.