Explore every episode of the podcast Nature Guys

Bob chats with Dr. Shauna Weyrauch. She leads a long-term camera study of Bobcats in eastern Ohio ("Project Wild Coshocton") and enjoys sharing her passion for wildlife conservation. 

Bob chats with naturalist Jim McCormac about the exciting world of caterpillars. Jim gives details about Caterpillar Roundup. This  Arc of Appalachia free program is offered on August 29th  from 12 -4 pm at the Highland Nature Sanctuary.

Bob is joined by our very own Plant Guru Greg Torres. Find out why magnolias are one of Greg's favorite plants. To dive deeper, read How Flowers Made our World by David George Haskell.

Tina and Bob chat about a strikingly beautiful bird. Learn all about when and where you might see this bird. Find out out why some birds are turning red!

Bob talks with Dan Flores the author of Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History. The book is a fascinating history of the coyote and why we need to learn to live with this iconic animal.

Our source for this episode is the book Coyote America by Dan Flores. Learn more about Dan at the website Project Coyote.

Bob talks with Hillary Rosner the author of Roam: Wild Animals and the Race to Repair Our Fractured World. The book explores the urgent need to rebuild a kinder, more connected world for both wildlife and ourselves

Our source for this episode is the book Roam: Wild Animals and The Race to Repair Our Fractured World by Hillary Rosner.

Tina and Bob learn all about Snowy Owls. If you are a Harry Potter fan you should listen to this episode!

Our sources for this episode include:

• Owl Research Institute
• Snowy Owl Audubon Guide
• Snowy Owl from All About Birds

Greg and Bob delve into the origins of pumpkins. Find out what pumpkins are and how they developed into one of the most popular fruits.

Related episode: Cranberry Thanks

Our sources for this episode include:

• The Jack-O-Lantern's Origins
• 6 Things You May Not Know About Pumpkins
• 25 Fascinating Pumpkin Facts

Bob chats with Leigh Ann Henion about her new book Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and other Marvels of the dark.

Related Episode: Gardening for Moths with Jim McCormac

Our sources for this episode include:

• Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion

Gia and Bob are once again excited about the arrival of the 17 year periodic cicadas. In 2025 it is Brood XIV that we welcome back. We hope to inspire you to either love cicadas or maybe just hate them a little less. Bob and Gia share 17 cool things about cicadas. There is nothing to fear when the cicadas are here!

Related episodes: Cicadas are Kinda Cute, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy

Web sources for this episode include:

• Cicada Safari App created by Dr. Gene Kritsky 
• Cicada Mania - Cicada Insect News, Facts, Life Cycle, Photos ...

Books about cicadas:

• When the Woods Hum by Joanne Ryder (out of print check your library)
• Cecily Cicada 2021 Edition By Kita Helmetag Murdock and Patsy Helmetag
• Periodical Cicadas The Brood X Edition by Gene Kritsky

Bob talks with John Seed who started working on saving rain forests in Australia in 1979. John explains how he learned about biodiversity and Deep Ecology .

To learn more about John Seed check out:

• The Rainforest Information Centre - organization founded by John Seed
• Thinking Like a Mountain - free PDF
• John Seed Deep Ecology - includes subscribing to John's mailing list

Tina from Red Oaks Forest School joins Bob to explain Zugunruhe and the yellow warbler. Find out what the heck a warbler is and how you can see some during spring migration.

Related episodes: What's Your Zugunruhe?, Merlin Magic

Our sources for this episode include:

• Songbird Journeys by Miyoko Chu (book recommended by Tina)
• Yellow Warbler Migration
• When will Yellow Warblers Return

Greg Torres, our plant guru, talks all about trees. Tune in to find out why trees have a special place in Greg's heart.

Related episodes: Sit Spot, Mistletoe

Prayer of the Woods (Portuguese folk tradition)

"I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights.
The friendly shade screening you from the summer sun,
and my fruits are refreshing draughts quenching
your thirst as you journey on."

"I am the beam that holds your house.
The board of your table, the bed on which you lie
and the timber that builds your boat."

"I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead,
the wood of your cradle and the shell of your coffin."

"I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty.
Ye who pass by listen to my prayer: "Harm me not."

Carol Mundy, the host of the radio show Outdoor Life, collaborates on this second episode about cats. This episode focuses on feral cats and was inspired by an email from listener Steve Inglish.

Related episode: Cats

Our sources for this episode include:

• Cat Wars The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer by Peter P. Mora and Chris Santella
• The Lion in the Living Room How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over The World by Abigail Tucker

Bob runs into a pet opossum with his grandson Drew and his friend Graeme in a city park. Poppy is very cute and inspired us to listen to a podcast Bob and Bill recorded back in 2017.

Related episodes: Bat in the House and Sick of Ticks

Our sources for this episode include:

• 10 things you didn't know about opossums
• Wildlife Rescue: Opossums
• Opossums - killers of ticks
• The 'Possum Pages: FAQs
• Opossum Defense Mechanisms

Bob joins Carol Mundy on her radio show Outdoor Life to discuss one of the most successful invasive species on the planet the house cat.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer by Peter P. Mora and Chris Santella
• The Lion in the Living Room: How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over The World by Abigail Tucker

Bob and Tina record in front of a live audience to share stories about crows. This bird is easy to identify but its behavior is very complex. Find our why Tina is a crow lover and listen to some amazing stories about crows. If you have your own crow story share it on our website via speak pipe or in the comment section for this episode.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Gifts of the Crow by John Marzluff and Tony Angela
• Birdology by Sy Montgomery

Sam and Greg join Bob at the Civic Garden Center's Fall Native Plant Festival.  They have an engaging presentation about the benefits and history of this under appreciated plant. 

Related episode: Johnny Appleseed

Our sources for this episode include:

• In Defense of the Lowly Grape
• The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart

Caroline joins Bob to talk about her true passion Native Grasses. Learn how these grasses can add to the diversity of life in the landscapes of our neighborhoods.

Related episodes: Lawns, Boxwood Bash

Our sources for this episode include:

• Understanding Roots by Robert Kourik
• Benefits of Native Grasses in Urban Landscaping
• Beyond Flowers: Enhancing Wildlife Gardens with Native Grasses
• Establishing Early Successional Habitat for Wildlife

Bob and Greg delve into one of their favorite plants, the Prickly Pear Cactus. It has a range far beyond the dessert so you should be able to find it in your area.

Our sources for this episode include:

• US Forest Service Prickly Pear
• What Animals Eat Cactus
• 5 Facts About Prickly Pear Cactus
• Nine Interesting Facts about Prickly Pear

Turkey Tail mushrooms are everywhere! Gia admits that mushrooms may be her favorite things in nature. Learn all about one of the most common and easy to find mushrooms.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Michael Kuo's take on turkey tail / Trametes versicolor: The Turkey Tail (MushroomExpert.Com)
• Good explanation of medicinal properties / How to Make Turkey Tail Mushroom Powder
• Tom Volk's take on turkey tail / Fungus of the Month for August 1997 (wisc.edu)
• Nicholas Money's paper "Are Mushrooms Medicinal?" (2016 PubMed (nih.gov)
• Coriolus versicolor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org)

Bob and Beth led family hikes at the Arc of Appalachia Highlands Nature Sanctuary in April of 2024. After the hikes they recorded a podcast with some of the hikers. Tune in to hear about wildflowers and more from the perspective of the children on the hike. 

Central Indiana had clear skies for the April 8, 2024  eclipse!  Bob joined a fantastic group of family, friends and other nature lovers  at Jenkins Forever Farm animal sanctuary  for a spectacular eclipse. He was able to record some of their reactions before, during and after the eclipse. 

Related Episodes: Eclipse with Dean Regas, Eclipse Lovers

In the final episode of the Invasive Plant Series Bob, Greg and Sam outline several possible paths that the common person can undertake to help turn the tide of invasive plants. From education and community driven initiatives to pushing market changes through purchasing power, we can all do a small part to make a big difference. 

Related Episodes: Walnut Woods, Invasive Plants, Lawns, Gardening for Moths with Jim McCormac, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy

For more information, we recommend these sources:

• Native Plant Education and Volunteer Opportunities with Civic Garden Center
• Native Plant Education with Active Outdoors
• Native Plant Gardening Intro
• Cincinnati Volunteer Opportunity with Cincinnati Parks

In this episode the discussion turns toward the horticulture industry and the impact working with plants has had overtime. Bob, Greg and Sam then turn to examine the branch of Ornamental Horticulture and its culpability in the mass production and distribution of non-native plants around the world. While this trend continues, new options of planting with native plants and the idea of cultivating native plants at home for the sake of conservation are introduced.

Related Episodes:

Lawns, Invasive Plants, Seeds on the Move, Invasive Plants Part 1, Invasive Plants Part 2

For more information, we recommend these resources:

• National Invasive Species Council
• Mt. Cuba Center Trial Garden
• Invasive Plant Species and the Ornamental Horticulture Industry

In episode 2 of our Invasive Plant Series Bob, Greg and Sam discuss why invasive plants pose such a problem to our ecosystem. The plant guru dives into the intricate connections between plants and other wildlife, explaining that plants truly are the basis of all ecosystems. From there, we talk about the way our land use decisions have created the perfect conditions for invasive plants to thrive in North America. 

Related Episodes: Invasive Plants Part 1, Invasive Plants, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy and Passenger Pigeon Part 1

For more information, we recommend these resources:

• Why Native Plants Matter
• Native Plants are Key to Climate Resilience
• How Much Nature Should America Keep?

Bob sits down with Greg and Sam to discuss one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, invasive plants. It's such a dense topic that we decided to break it up into 4 separate episodes. In part 1, we introduce the concept of native and non-native invasive plants. Greg and Sam provide a big picture perspective on the human systems that are driving the spread of invasive plants and invite you to join us in starting a more meaningful conversation around invasive plants and their impact on our environment. 

Related Episodes: Invasive Plants, Walnut Woods

For more information, we recommend these resources:

• Book: Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species by Sylvan Ramsey Kaufman & Wallace Kaufman
• Invasive and Exotic Species of North America
• National Association of Invasive Plant Councils (check out what is happening in your state around invasive species management) 
• UN Invasive Alien Species Report

Bob and Tina chat about an amazing bird - the Indigo Bunting. Find out where and when you can see the brilliant blue male and how these birds migrate over 1200 miles.

You can find out more about Tina and Red Oaks Forest School at redoaksforestschool.org.

Related episode: What's Your Zugunruhe?

Our sources for this episode include:

• For the Birds: An Uncommon Guide by Laura Erickson
• Laura Erickson Blog Post on Floaters
• Where Do Indigo Buntings Live
• Indigo Bunting Life History
• BirdCast - migration tools

Bob and co host Charles are joined by Doug Chadwick, author of The Wolverine Way. Doug is celebrating the listing of wolverines as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Related episode: Four Fifths a Grizzly with Doug Chadwick

For more information, please see:

• The Wolverine Way at Patagonia Books
• Vital Ground Foundation

Bob invites his partner Beth to share her passion for children's literature by describing 6 of her favorite books about the eclipse. In addition, Bob offers suggestions about places to view the totality of the solar eclipse including the Jenkins Forever Farm animal sanctuary where you can join Nature Guys for this spectacular display on April 8, 2024.

Related episode: Eclipse with Dean Regas

Here are the books Beth reviewed and recommends. Check them out at your local library or independent bookstore!

1. Sunpainters: Eclipse of the Navajo Sun, written and illustrated by Baje Whitethorne
2. Looking Up! The Science of Stargazing by meteorologist Joe Rao and illustrated by Mark Borgions, Ready to Read book bin the Science of Fun Stuff series
3. A Few Beautiful Minutes: Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, written by Kate Allen Fox, illustrated by Khoa Le
4. The Moon Book, New and Updated by Gail Gibbons
5. Totality! An Eclipse Guide inn Rhyme and Science by Jeffrey Bennett, one of the Big Kid Science series
6. Eclipse Chaser: Science in the Moon's Shadow by Ilima Loomis with photographs by Amanda Cowan, one of the Scientists in the Field adventure collection

Bob and Beth will be at the Jenkins Forever Farm. To reserve a Spot for the Eclipse Viewing at Jenkins Forever Farm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/total-eclipse-of-the-farm-tickets-795748113027

Info from Dean Regas, Your Astronomer Host of the Looking Up podcast

• Check out the recording of Dean Regas's Eclipse class that Bob and Beth listened to live on Feb 6, 2024
• Interactive eclipse map
• Clear Sky Chart (for Cincinnati but you can pick your location and then bookmark it)
• Stellarium free sky simulation software
• Totality App: Available at https://eclipse.aas.org/totality or standard app stores
• Follow along on Dean's social media channels for more leading up to the eclipse. They are all on the top of Dean's website so you can pick your favorite.

Bob and Charles tackle one of the hardest subjects that Nature Guys has ever undertaken. In part 1 of Passenger Pigeon they go back in time to experience what this bird was like and how humans managed to wipe out this bird. Part 2 covers what we have learned and not learned from the Passenger Pigeon.

Related episodes: Passenger Pigeon Part 1, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy

For more information, we recommend these books:

• Wild New World The Epic Story of Animals and People in America by Dan Flores (Bob's pick)
• Man and Nature by George Perkins Marsh (Charles's pick)

Here are books Charles read; the links are to a non-profit website (www.bookshop.org). If you buy these books through the links below it gives Charles's blog credit which does him a lot of good!

• Silent Wings: A Memorial to the Passenger Pigeon (Edited by Wlater Edwin Scott)
• The Passenger Pigeon by Errol Fuller
• The Passenger Pigeon: Its Natural History and Extinction by W.A. Schorger
• A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon's Flight to Extinction By Joel Greenberg

Here are links to the relevant posts on Charles's blog called Gulo in Nature:

• Why is it bad when species go extinct? 
• What is a keystone species? 

Bob and Charles tackle one of the hardest subjects that Nature Guys has ever undertaken. In part 1 of Passenger Pigeon they go back in time to experience what this bird was like. Thanks to naturalists in the past we have first hand accounts of what this bird was like. Find out how humans managed to wipe out this bird.

For more information, we recommend these books:

• Wild New World The Epic Story of Animals and People in America by Dan Flores (Bob's pick)
• Man and Nature by George Perkins Marsh (Charles's pick)

Here are books Charles read; the links are to a non-profit website (www.bookshop.org). If you buy these books through the links below it gives Charles's blog credit which does him a lot of good!

• Silent Wings: A Memorial to the Passenger Pigeon (Edited by Wlater Edwin Scott)
• The Passenger Pigeon by Errol Fuller
• The Passenger Pigeon: Its Natural History and Extinction by W.A. Schorger
• A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon's Flight to Extinction By Joel Greenberg

Here are links to the relevant posts on Charles's blog called Gulo in Nature:

• Why is it bad when species go extinct? 
• What is a keystone species? 

Bob is joined by the astronomer Dean Regas. Our goal for this podcast is to inspire you to attend the total eclipse of the sun on April 8th, 2024.

Dean Regas Website: astrodean.com

NASA Science: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Bob and his wife Beth are invited to chat with Carol Mundy on her radio show Outdoor Life.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Outdoor Life with Carol Mundy
• Carol Mundy's Website The Crow Knows

Bob chats with Vincent Stanley, the author of The Future of the Responsible Company: What We've Learned from Patagonia's First 50 Years.

Our sources for this episode include:

• The Future of the Responsible Company by Vincent Stanley with Yvon Chouinard
• Earth is now our only shareholder by Yvon Chouinard

Bob meets Caroline from the Civic Garden Center and invites her to talk about a subject she is really tired of! Join us for the good the bad and the ugly about boxwood a plant that seems to be everywhere.

Our sources about boxwood include:

• Where they came from and why they became the universal standard
• Why we gotta get rid of them
• What we can replace them with/ What do we gotta do to get more American Yew

Bob's ten year old grandson Drew was attacked by yellow jackets at summer camp this year. Drew joins Bob to tell the story and share what he has learned about this often aggressive wasp.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Yellowjackets are not Honey Bees
• Yellowjacket Fact Sheet
• Yellowjacket Facts for Kids

Join Bob and Gia as they delve into the fascinating world of fungi. Gia explains why she loves mushrooms and in particular Lion's Mane Mushroom.

Related episode: Spring Fungi

Our sources for this episode include:

• Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
• Hericium erinaceus: an edible mushroom with medicinal values

Nature Guys recorded this in front of an audience at the Civic Garden Center's Fall Native Plant Festival. Bob welcomes Greg Torres and Sam Settlemyre to discuss why and how we should reduce our lawns.

Related episode: The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy

Resources:

• Homegrown National Park (Doug Tallamy)
• Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati

Charles suggests we do the whirligig - one of over 350,000 species of beetles. Find out about the amazing characteristics of this amazing beetle.

Check out Charles' nature blog at Gulo in Nature.

Related episodes: Water Striders Walk on Water and Vernal Pools

Our sources for this episode include:

• Whirligig Beetle Facts and Information Guide 2023
• Whirligig Beetles are Skimmers
• Whirligig Beetles Missouri Department of Conservation
• Experimental Studies and Dynamics Modeling Analysis of the Swimming and Diving of Whirligig Beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae)

Tina suggests we do an episode on milkweed beetles. Bob is confused because he thought they were bugs. Tune in to find out what we discovered.

You can find out more about Tina and Red Oaks Forest School at redoaksforestschool.org.

Related episode: Mighty Milkweed

Our sources for this episode include:

• Milkweed Bugs
• Common Milkweed Insects
• Milkweed Bug

Bob reads an email from a listener (Linda) with a question about eBird that inspired us to do a whole episode on eBird. Charles starts out explaining the capabilities and the value of eBird both to the user and the scientific community. He and Bob go on a virtual birding trip to demonstrate how you can use eBird.

Related episodes: Merlin Magic and Merlin 2

Our source for this episode: eBird by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Greg explains some amazing traits of apple trees. Bob shares some of the fascinating facts about John Chapman better know as Johnny Appleseed.

Related episode: Walnut Woods

Our sources for this episode include:

• The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
• Johnny Appleseed Man and Myth by Robert Price

Bob chats with Gia and special guest Jonathan about old-growth forests. Learn ways they can make you feel small in the best way. Jonathan explains how he obtained old growth certification from the Old-Growth Forest Network for California Woods Nature Preserve.

Related episode: Vernal Pools

Visit old growth forests in greater Cincinnati: Cincinnati Park California Woods Nature Preserve, Rowe Woods at Cincinnati Nature Center

Our sources for this episode include: Old-Growth Forest Network

Bob chats with Jim McCormac the co author with Chelsea Gottfried of Gardening for Moths: A Regional Guide. Find out why gardeners can and should attract specific moths species to their properties and how to do it.

Our source for this episode is the book Gardening for Moths: A Regional Guide by Jim McCormac and Chelsea Gottfried.

Related episodes: The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy and Bats with Merlin Tuttle

Charles takes Bob on a deep dive into the fascinating world of Water Lilies.

Our sources for this episode include:

• Nymphaeaceae
• Lotus Vs. Water Lilies, What's The Difference?

Bob chats with Bill McKibben the author of We Are Better Together, his first children's book. He is the author of the bestsellers The End of Nature, Eaarth, and Deep Economy. Bill is the founder of the environmental organization 350.org and recently Third Act, an organization that encourages people over 60 to take action on climate change.

You can find out more about Bill McKibben on his website: BillMcKibben.com

Find Bill's new children's book at: We Are Better Together

Bob chats with Katherine Hauswirth, the author of two inspiring books, The Book of Noticing: Collections and Connections on the Trail and her recent book the Morning Light the Lily White Daily: Dips into Nature and Spirit.

Links to Katherine's books, newsletter and blog:

• The Morning Light, The Lily White: Daily Dips into Nature and Spirit by Katherine Hauswirth
• The Book of Noticing by Katherine Hauswirth
• Loving the World e-newsletter signup
• First Person Naturalist blog

Want to learn more about a fairly easy sparrow to identify by sight and sound? Join Bob and Tina for a fascinating dive into the life and behavior of white-throated sparrows.

You can find out more about Tina and Red Oaks Forest School at redoaksforestschool.org.

Related episodes with Tina: A Can of Earthworms, Peregrine Falcon and What's Your Zugunruhe?

Our sources for this episode include:

• Hear White-throated Sparrows Learning to Sing
• White-throated Sparrow is Not Just Another Little Brown Bird
• Andrea Boyer Effects of Winter Weather on White-throated Sparrows

Merlin Tuttle is a tremendous advocate for bats and has done amazing things throughout his career to help protect them and change people's misconceptions and fears about them. His motto is "win friends not battles" and that's been his approach throughout his 60+ years doing this work!

Merlin shares with Bob some of his amazing bat adventures. Merlin will be the keynote speaker at the Arc of Appalachia's Wildflower Pilgrimage in April of 2023.

Related Episode: Bat in the House and Story: Bats! The Sequel I Never Wanted to Write from listener Jake

Our sources for this episode include:

• Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation
• Bat Conservation International
• Arc of Appalachia's Wildflower Pilgrimage